Anna Wilgren Bio
Anna Wilgren (born November 18, 1999) is an American professional ice hockey defender for the Seattle Torrent of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) and the United States women’s national ice hockey team. Standing 5 feet 8 inches tall, she shoots left and has earned a reputation as a reliable two-way defender known for her shot-blocking ability. She previously played for the Montreal Victoire, where she earned PWHL All-Rookie Team honors in her rookie season. Wilgren also won a gold medal with Team USA at the 2025 IIHF Women’s World Championship.
Early Life and Background
Anna Wilgren was born on November 18, 1999, in Saint Paul, Minnesota, to Wayne and Karyn Wilgren. She was raised in Hudson, Wisconsin, and attended Hudson High School, where she played four years of varsity ice hockey. During her junior year in the 2016–17 season, she recorded 64 goals and 20 assists, leading the state of Wisconsin in goals. She was also a multi-sport athlete, playing tennis and running track and field for three years.
She was named the Molly Engstrom Award winner in both 2017 and 2018, recognizing her as the best defensive player in Wisconsin high school hockey. She finished as the all-time leading scorer in Hudson program history. In her senior season in 2018, she led the Hudson girls hockey team to the WIAA state championship game, where they lost in overtime to Appleton. It marked the program’s first state tournament appearance since 2006.
Path to Hockey
Wilgren began her collegiate career at Minnesota State during the 2018–19 season. As a freshman, she recorded four goals and eight assists in 35 games and led the WCHA, ranking second in the NCAA with 122 blocked shots. That performance earned her a place on the WCHA All-Rookie Team and established her as one of the top defensive talents in college hockey.
Over the following seasons, she continued to develop at Minnesota State, serving as team captain during her final three years. After being invited to the 2022 U.S. Olympic Residency Program, she redshirted the 2021–22 season. Following a serious injury that limited her senior year, she announced on April 20, 2023, that she would transfer to Wisconsin for her final year of eligibility.
Anna Wilgren Career
College Career (2018–2024)
Across her time at Minnesota State, Wilgren played in 91 games and produced 12 goals and 30 assists. She was a three-time team captain and consistently ranked among the conference leaders in blocked shots. Her leadership and steady two-way play helped anchor the Mavericks’ defensive corps through four seasons of WCHA competition.
In her graduate season at Wisconsin during 2023–24, she recorded two goals and 20 assists in 40 games. She helped the Badgers reach the 2024 NCAA Championship final, where they fell 1–0 to Ohio State. Her veteran presence and defensive reliability made her one of the top graduate transfers in the country that year.
Professional Career with Montreal Victoire (2024–2025)
On June 10, 2024, Wilgren was selected in the fifth round, 29th overall, by PWHL Montreal in the 2024 PWHL Draft. In November 2024, she signed a standard contract with the Victoire and went on to appear in 30 regular-season games during her rookie campaign. She recorded three goals and six assists for nine points, earning PWHL All-Rookie Team honors alongside fellow defender Cayla Barnes.
Her strong debut extended into the 2025 PWHL playoffs, where she added three assists against the Ottawa Charge. On January 5, 2025, she competed with the Victoire at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle during the PWHL Takeover Tour game against the Boston Fleet, foreshadowing her eventual move to the Pacific Northwest.
Seattle Torrent Era (2025–Present)
On June 9, 2025, Wilgren was selected tenth overall by PWHL Seattle in the 2025 PWHL Expansion Draft. On July 10, 2025, she signed a one-year standard player agreement with the newly established franchise. Seattle General Manager Meghan Turner praised the acquisition, calling her tough to play against and a great fit for the organization.
The Torrent’s inaugural home game on November 28, 2025, drew a record crowd of 16,014 fans at Climate Pledge Arena, breaking the U.S. attendance record for a women’s hockey game. On December 3, 2025, against the New York Sirens, Wilgren was checked from behind into the end boards. The play sparked a sequence in which Seattle scored twice in 22 seconds to secure a 2–1 victory, their first home win in franchise history.
Driving Style and Strengths
Wilgren is widely recognized for her shot-blocking ability and dependable defensive positioning. She led the NCAA in blocked shots as a freshman and continued that trend throughout her professional career. Her coach-friendly profile blends disciplined defense with the poise to contribute offensively from the back end.
Notable Events and Milestones
Highlights include her 2024 PWHL Draft selection, her PWHL All-Rookie Team honor in 2024, and her gold medal at the 2025 IIHF Women’s World Championship. She also became the first American-born Minnesota State alumna to represent the United States at the World Championship. Her early impact in Seattle has helped establish the Torrent as a competitive expansion franchise.
Anna Wilgren International Play
On March 5, 2025, Wilgren was selected to represent the United States at the 2025 IIHF Women’s World Championship in České Budějovice, Czechia. She made her senior national team debut during the tournament and contributed one assist in a 5–0 victory over Switzerland in the preliminary round. Team USA went on to win the gold medal, defeating Canada 4–3 in overtime in the championship game on April 20, 2025.
Anna Wilgren Career Achievements
WCHA and College Highlights
At Minnesota State, Wilgren was named to the WCHA All-Rookie Team in 2019 and the All-WCHA Third Team in 2020. She finished her Mavericks career with 12 goals and 30 assists in 91 games while serving as team captain for three seasons. She also set program benchmarks for blocked shots, leading the WCHA in that category during both her freshman and sophomore campaigns.
Professional and International Honors
Wilgren earned PWHL All-Rookie Team honors in 2024 after a strong debut season with the Montreal Victoire. She later won a gold medal with Team USA at the 2025 IIHF Women’s World Championship. She was also a two-time winner of the Molly Engstrom Award in 2017 and 2018, given to the best defensive player in Wisconsin high school hockey.
Anna Wilgren Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Anna Wilgren was born to Wayne Wilgren and Karyn Wilgren and raised in Hudson, Wisconsin. Her parents supported her early athletic development, and she grew up playing multiple sports before focusing on hockey. Her deep roots in the upper Midwest hockey community shaped her path to the professional level.
Personal Life
Wilgren continues to reside in the United States, balancing her professional club career in Seattle with her commitments to the U.S. national team program. She remains closely tied to her family in Hudson and Minnesota. Off the ice, she has expressed enthusiasm about helping grow the women’s game on the West Coast.
2025 Season Performance
Wilgren’s 2025 campaign has been defined by transition and momentum. After being named to the PWHL All-Rookie Team the previous spring, she was selected by Seattle in the expansion draft and quickly became a foundational piece of the new franchise. Her presence has coincided with record-breaking attendance figures and the team’s first home victory.
On the international stage, she made her senior debut with Team USA at the 2025 IIHF Women’s World Championship and won gold. Back in the PWHL, her steady defensive play has been central to the Torrent’s early-season identity. With a one-year contract running through 2026, Wilgren is positioned to be a long-term building block for Seattle.