The defending Professional Women’s Hockey League champions opened their second training camp Thursday with some new players, a bigger staff and practice gear branded with a real nickname and logo.
“It was fun to say ‘Frost’ for the first time as a collective unit together,” veteran forward Kendall Coyne Schofield said. “It felt strong and it felt exciting, and I think we looked pretty good, too.”
Coyne Schofield, who played a part in founding the new women’s pro league, scored the final goal that sealed a 3-0 victory at Boston in a fifth and deciding Walter Cup game in May. The grand prize is named after the league’s owner, Los Angeles Dodgers billionaire owner Mark Walter, who helped Coyne Schofield lift the trophy.
“It was great we were PHWL Minnesota because I think it helped promote the league organically, whether that was the plan or not,” she said. “But then to come in here and have an identity — not only for our fans, our city, our state — that’s very exciting.”
“I’ve been a part of a lot of hockey things within this state and outside of it,” said Kelly Pannek, a former Gophers standout who is Plymouth-born and Benilde-St. Margaret’s-educated. “What was really cool is, everywhere we went, people knew about it. Now you say ‘Minnesota Frost’ and everyone’s like, ‘Oh, yeah, you guys won, right.’ They’re a part of it. They know it. There’s a level of excitement that is really exciting to be part of.
“That’s the way it should be for women’s hockey players.”
