Minnesota Frost Overview
The Minnesota Frost are a professional women’s ice hockey team based in Saint Paul, Minnesota, competing in the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL). Founded in 2023 as one of the league’s six charter franchises, the Frost play their home games at Grand Casino Arena and are owned by the Mark Walter Group. The team has quickly established itself as a powerhouse, winning the PWHL’s inaugural Walter Cup championships in both 2024 and 2025.
The Frost’s colors are purple, lavender, and white, reflecting the state’s deep-rooted love for the ice. Led by captain Kendall Coyne Schofield, general manager Melissa Caruso, and head coach Ken Klee, the franchise has built a winning culture in just its first two seasons. Their rapid rise from a brand-new expansion team to back-to-back champions has made Minnesota one of the most successful clubs in the young league’s history.
Founding and Organizational Origins
On August 29, 2023, it was announced that one of the PWHL’s first six franchises would be located in Minnesota. The team filled a void left by the loss of the Minnesota Whitecaps, a long-running club that had most recently played in the defunct Premier Hockey Federation. This transition allowed Minnesota hockey fans to maintain a connection to elite women’s professional hockey in the state.
On September 1, former United States national team captain and three-time Olympic medalist Natalie Darwitz was named PWHL Minnesota’s first general manager. Shortly after, on September 15, former Bethel University men’s and women’s head coach Charlie Burggraf was announced as the team’s first head coach. However, on December 27, Burggraf stepped down and was replaced by former U.S. national team coach Ken Klee, who brought significant international experience to the franchise.
The team’s first three player signings were U.S. national team members Kendall Coyne Schofield, Kelly Pannek, and Lee Stecklein. Minnesota was then awarded the right to select first overall in the inaugural PWHL draft through a lottery, using the pick to select Minnesota Golden Gophers forward Taylor Heise. These foundational decisions set the stage for a roster built on speed, skill, and Olympic-level experience.
Growth Into PWHL Competition
In November 2023, it was revealed that PWHL Minnesota’s colors would be purple, black, and white, and that the team would play at Grand Casino Arena, the home of the National Hockey League’s Minnesota Wild. The shared venue arrangement allowed the Frost to tap into a world-class hockey infrastructure and a passionate existing fan base in the Twin Cities.
During the league’s inaugural 2023–24 season, Minnesota, along with the other PWHL charter franchises, operated without unique branding. The team was officially known as PWHL Minnesota and wore a league-wide jersey template that featured the state’s name diagonally on the front. Despite the temporary branding, the club developed a strong identity on the ice and connected with fans across the region.
Minnesota Frost Competitive Journey
The Minnesota Frost have risen from a brand-new franchise to the most decorated team in the PWHL’s short history. In just two seasons of competition, they have captured two Walter Cup championships and established themselves as a model organization for professional women’s hockey.
Early Seasons and Development (2023–2024)
The Frost played their first game on January 3, 2024, facing PWHL Boston in Lowell, Massachusetts. Taylor Heise scored the first goal in franchise history, and Minnesota won by a score of 3–2. Three days later, on January 6, the team made its home debut at Grand Casino Arena, defeating PWHL Montreal by a score of 3–0 in front of 13,316 fans, setting a new record for attendance at a professional women’s hockey game. Grace Zumwinkle recorded a hat-trick in the contest, and Maddie Rooney earned the shutout.
Those early performances signaled the arrival of a competitive club ready to challenge for a championship. The combination of veteran leadership and emerging young talent gave Minnesota a balanced roster that could compete with every team in the league from the very first puck drop.
Breakthrough in PWHL (2024–2025)
On May 5, 2024, the team secured the fourth seed in the inaugural PWHL playoffs. PWHL Minnesota then beat first-ranked PWHL Toronto in a five-game semifinal series, completing a reverse sweep after losing the first two games and advancing to the finals against PWHL Boston. In the Walter Cup Finals, Minnesota won a hard-fought series that came down to a decisive Game 5. After overcoming a double-overtime loss in Game 4 at home, the Frost won 3–0 on the road at Boston’s Tsongas Center to claim the league’s first-ever championship.
Heise led the playoffs in scoring and won the inaugural Ilana Kloss Playoff MVP Award, while Zumwinkle was named the PWHL’s rookie of the year. Following the championship run, Natalie Darwitz parted ways with the team in June 2024, with Ken Klee taking over as acting general manager. In September 2024, the franchise hired Melissa Caruso as its new general manager to guide the next phase of the organization.
The 2024–25 season brought further success, as the Frost captured their second consecutive Walter Cup championship in 2025. This back-to-back achievement cemented Minnesota’s place as the standard-setter in the Professional Women’s Hockey League and validated the strong leadership and player development model built by the front office.
Modern Program and Current Direction (2024–Present)
In September 2024, when the PWHL unveiled franchise nicknames, Minnesota was officially given the name Frost. The league stated that the nickname honored Minnesota’s deep-rooted love for the ice. A report from The Hockey News noted that other names in contention included the Marmots and the Monarchs, but Frost resonated most with the state’s identity. Along with the new name, the team unveiled a logo featuring an initial F decorated with icicles, while retaining the purple, lavender, and white color scheme.
Under the ownership of the Mark Walter Group, the Frost continue to benefit from strong financial backing and a commitment to growing the women’s game. The combination of Klee behind the bench, Caruso in the front office, and Coyne Schofield leading the players on the ice has created a stable and ambitious organization. The team’s long-term goals include sustaining championship contention, expanding its fan base, and continuing to develop the next generation of elite women’s hockey talent.
Philosophy and Competitive Strengths
The Frost’s core identity centers on speed, skill, and disciplined team defense. The club’s roster blends Olympic veterans with emerging stars, allowing Minnesota to compete physically while maintaining creative offensive play. Special teams, goaltending depth, and a strong team culture have defined the franchise’s most successful stretches.
Key Milestones and Major Moments
Among the most significant moments in Frost history are Taylor Heise’s first franchise goal, Grace Zumwinkle’s hat-trick in the home opener, the 13,316-fan record crowd at Grand Casino Arena, the reverse sweep of PWHL Toronto in the 2024 semifinals, and the Game 5 road victory in Boston that delivered the inaugural Walter Cup. The 2025 championship cemented Minnesota as the league’s first dynasty.
Minnesota Frost Achievements and Results
The Minnesota Frost have compiled a remarkable list of accomplishments in their first two seasons, highlighted by back-to-back Walter Cup championships. Their consistent excellence has set a high standard for the Professional Women’s Hockey League.
PWHL Achievements
The Frost have won two Walter Cup championships, capturing the title in 2024 and again in 2025. The 2024 championship came after a thrilling five-game series victory over PWHL Boston, while the 2025 title added to the franchise’s growing legacy. These championships represent the pinnacle achievements in the PWHL to date.
Conference Achievements
Minnesota has consistently been among the top teams in the PWHL standings, qualifying for the playoffs in each of its first two seasons. The team’s ability to perform under playoff pressure has been a defining characteristic, with the reverse sweep of top-seeded PWHL Toronto standing as one of the league’s most impressive postseason performances.
Divisional Achievements
As one of the PWHL’s six charter franchises, the Frost compete in a compact league structure where divisional success translates directly into playoff seeding. Minnesota’s strong regular-season play has repeatedly positioned the team favorably for postseason competition, allowing the club to build momentum heading into the Walter Cup Playoffs.
Series Achievements
The Frost’s series success has been the foundation of their championship runs. The 2024 playoff run included a five-game semifinal victory over PWHL Toronto and a five-game Walter Cup Finals triumph over PWHL Boston. The 2025 championship series added another chapter, reinforcing Minnesota’s reputation as a clutch postseason performer.
