A year ago, the world’s best women’s hockey players formed the first real professionally run league, and a team lacking a logo and nickname, but made up largely of Minnesotans, won it all.
On Sunday, the Minnesota Frost begins defense of its Walter Cup trophy with three draft picks and some other new players but with its championship roster mostly intact.
Can they do it again?
“We’re going to have a target on our backs,” said Frost forward Taylor Heise, the first player taken in the first PWHL draft a year ago. “And I like playing that way.”
Here are five players to watch — returning and new — who open the team’s second season Sunday at home against the New York Sirens at Xcel Energy Center.

Kendall Coyne Schofield
Forward, shoots left
Age: 32
Hometown: Palos Heights, Ill.