Frost return for first practice as reigning PWHL champions

The defending PWHL champions took to the ice for their first practice of the season Thursday in downtown St. Paul featuring a lot of familiar names, which bodes well for their chances of pulling off a repeat.

But sharing the spotlight was all that is new, including the team nickname — the Frost — and the additions to the front office, coaching staff and roster.

Melissa Caruso takes over as the team’s general manager. Head coach Ken Klee returns, as does assistant coach Mira Jalosuo, but they’ll be joined by Chris Johnson, the grandson of “Badger” Bob Johnson.

Add in a handful of new players, and the challenge will be in finding a way to come together as a team, which played a major part in bringing the inaugural Walter Cup to Minnesota.

“You need to come together off the ice before you can come together on the ice,” said Frost captain Kendall Coyne Schofield. “That’s something our group did very well. It was a special room to be a part of.

“It doesn’t come overnight. We’re going to have to work hard again to make that room as special as it was last year.”

Caruso, who takes over for Natalie Darwitz, said the Frost doubled their season-ticket member base in the offseason. But that doesn’t discount the unhappiness expressed by members of the fan base who were upset with  Darwitz’ dismissal.

Both Klee and Caruso are eager to put the unpleasantness that engulfed the team following the season behind them.

“I came in with an open mind and did my job to get to know everyone and get a read on the situation,” Caruso said. “We have no concerns moving forward.

“Ken has been really supportive off the hop, and really appreciative of that. He worked hard to get me up to speed up to this point. From here on out we’ll be working really closely together.”

While the players have said little about Darwitz’ dismissal since it happened, Coyne Schofield’s name has been linked in various reports as playing a role in the firing. She reiterated Thursday that it was a decision made by league officials.

“It’s never fun seeing people writing false narratives about you,” Coyne Schofield said. “(Making) false statements and tearing you down when they don’t know the truth. I can’t control that; I can control who I am, the way I do things and the way I lead this team.

“I know what’s true and that room knows what’s true”

The Frost have 28 players in camp, which includes 16 forwards, eight defenders and four goaltenders. Sixteen players are under contract, so there are seven jobs to be won before the roster is trimmed to 23 on Nov. 27, with up to three players to be added as reserves.

The team leaves for Toronto on Monday for a weeklong minicamp. The Frost will scrimmage against Toronto and New York. They open the regular season Dec. 1 against New York at Xcel Energy Center.

“We have a group of players trying to make a team,” Klee said. “We’re trying to give them their best chance to succeed.”

The newcomers include five draft choices, led by defender Claire Thompson, the Frost’s top pick.

“She’s a special player,” Klee said. “It’s great to see her in a Frost jersey. She’s a lights-out player.”

Forwards Britta Curl and Klara Hymlarova, selected in the second and third round, respectively, also are likely to make the roster and contribute to an offense led by Coyne Schofield, Taylor Heise and Grace Zumwinkle.

“We drafted some great players, but so did everyone else,” Klee said. “The level of play throughout the league is just going to be better.”

Defense and goaltending were the team strengths last season and that doesn’t figure to change. Hensley and Maddie Rooney are expected to share time in goal, just as they did last season, which is a comforting arrangement for Klee.

“They’re both world-class goalies,” he said. “We’re fortunate to have that, and we need them both.”

The returning players are feeling comfortable and excited.

“I think this year everyone just knows exactly what to expect,” said goaltender Nicole Hensley. “It was brand new to every single person last year, and this year I think we have a good group of returners who can step up and be leaders and help new players and staff members through it.”

Forward Kelly Pannek said the players would benefit from what the league learned as it “got the kinks out” during a first season that came together in a short time.

“It just feels like there is a lot more clarity from all facets, whether it’s player of staff — what is expected of you,” Pannek said. “We all know now what it feels like to be a professional hockey player. The newer players, the ones fresh out of college, it won’t just be all of us looking at each other and asking, ‘Where do we go from here?’

“I think it makes it a lot easier that way.”