PWHL draft comes to St. Paul with some new (and old) names to watch

The PWHL draft will be held Monday evening at Roy Wilkins Auditorium, and there will be intrigue surrounding the local team that just won the league’s inaugural championship.

PWHL Minnesota, the league’s Walter Cup champion, parted ways with General Manager Natalie Darwitz on Friday. Coach Ken Klee, a longtime NHL player and former U.S. women’s national team coach, will run the team’s draft.

Darwitz issued a statement Sunday, her first public comments since her removal: “I gave my heart and soul to provide a first-class experience to the players, staff and fans. My goal was to grow the game of women’s hockey and to show young girls their dream could become a reality. ... At this time, I am not able to provide any details regarding my departure.”

Minnesota will pick third among the league’s six teams in each of the draft’s seven rounds, based on its regular-season finish. The Cup-winning team that Darwitz built and Klee coached is deep and talented but will try to shore up its scoring that ranked fourth in the league.

When, where: 6 p.m. Monday, Roy Wilkins Auditorium

How to watch: PWHL’s YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/@thepwhlofficial)

Tickets: Available free of charge at: www.thepwhl.com/en/2024-pwhl-draft

Draft order (repeats for all seven rounds): 1. New York, 2. Ottawa, 3. Minnesota, 4. Boston, 5. Montreal, 6. Toronto.

Sarah Fillier, C, Princeton: Helped Canada win Olympic gold in 2022, scoring eight goals in the tournament. Had 30 goals and 13 assists in 29 games for Princeton last season. Regarded as the likely top overall pick.

Danielle Serdachny, C, Colgate: Amassed 25 goals and 45 assists in 39 games as a college senior. Scored the winning goal in overtime to beat the United States and win gold at the 2024 World Championship.

Amanda Kessel, RW, Team USA: The former Gophers star is back on the ice after taking last season off to work in the Pittsburgh Penguins front office. The 32-year-old has an Olympic gold medal, plus two silvers to her credit. The 2013 Patty Kazmaier Award winner led Minnesota to three NCAA championships.

Hannah Bilka, LW, Ohio State: Had 22 goals and 26 assists in 39 games in helping the Buckeyes win the 2024 NCAA championship. The Boston College transfer played two seasons at Shattuck-St. Mary’s, amassing 75 goals and 69 assists.

Abby Boreen, RW: Boreen played 14 games for PWHL Minnesota this season, limited as a reserve player as she attended pharmacy school. She had to enter the draft to be a full-time player and said she’s open to playing for whichever team selects her.

Madeline Wethington, D, Gophers: A consistent blue-liner over the past five seasons for the Gophers, Wethington also won Under 18 World Championship gold three times.