Women's Hockey 2023-24 Season -- Part 1: Preseason/Offseason

[SHGopher]

The Gophers are exciting to watch -- the #1 offense in the nation. They skate, attack, score and score.

Minnesota is an elite power in women's hockey, the #1 hockey program over the years.

In 2022-23, Gophers Women's Hockey team made the NCAA Frozen Four championship before falling in overtime to underdog Wisconsin, the eventual NCAA tournament champion. During the season, Minnesota won the WCHA Final Faceoff conference tournament by beating top team Ohio State and Wisconsin. All season, Minnesota was ranked as one of the elite teams.




Minnesota is a hockey power year after year, the #1 hockey power in America over the years.

Yet an NCAA Tournament championship has eluded the team since 2016. The Gophers have won WCHA regular season championships, WCHA tournament championships, top national rankings, and Frozen Four appearances, yet the underdog Wisconsin Badgers have now emerged as the team winning the most NCAA championships with seven.

Can the top Gophers players grab the elusive NCAA title this season?

This first thread will track the preseason/offseason of the Gophers.

Minnesota is loaded with exciting talent!

A wave of exciting elite recruits will be joining the team this season too!

Gophers Sign Six to 2023-24 Freshmen Class - University of Minnesota Athletics

Minnesota's largest signing class since 2018 is made up of five Minnesotans and the first Hungarian in program history.

gophersports.com

 

[SHGopher]

Gophers have been on fire at WomensWorlds, the 2023 IIHF Women's World Championship.

2023-24 Gophers playing in this most-select tournament are:

Forward Abbey Murphy for USA, a redshirt sophomore in 2022-23 who was 2nd in the NCAA for goals scored (trailing only Gopher Taylor Heise).

Defense Nelli Laitinen for Finland, a freshman during the 2022-23 season who ranked third among Gophers defenders in points.

Forward Josefin Bouveng for Sweden, a freshman during the 2022-23 season who scored the 9th most goals for the Gophers, including a hat trick.

Forward Emma Kreisz for Hungary, a new recruit for Minnesota this 2023-24 season who comes from Stanstead College in Canada, a top sports prep school, where she scored 47 points her first season.

Kreisz is a member of the impressive 2023-24 Gophers recruiting class.

Gophers Sign Six to 2023-24 Freshmen Class - University of Minnesota Athletics

Minnesota's largest signing class since 2018 is made up of five Minnesotans and the first Hungarian in program history.

gophersports.com

Other Gophers from other seasons are playing in the tournament too, including Taylor Heise who lead the NCAA in scoring during the 2022-23 season and won the Patty Kazmaier Award the season before, the best player in hockey.

Eight Gophers Representing Four Countries to Compete in 2023 Women's Worlds - University of Minnesota Athletics

The 2023 Women's World Championship will take place Apr. 5-14 in Brampton, Ontario.

gophersports.com

In total, eight Gophers past and present are playing in this most-select tournament. Several other current Gophers are worthy too but only so many spots available on the teams.

 

[SHGopher]

Defender Nelli Laitinen!

IIHF - Laitinen’s star on the rise

Success in Minnesota buoys Finnish blueliner before 2023 WW

www.iihf.com

You could say Nelli Laitinen leads a globetrotting lifestyle. The 20-year-old Finnish defender has gone from capturing her first Olympic bronze medal in Beijing last year to making her college debut with the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers this year. Now Laitinen – who previously achieved Naisten Liiga superstardom with Kiekko-Espoo – is aiming for more success on both the NCAA and IIHF stages.

 

[SHGopher]

USA Hockey advances to the gold medal championship game!

Abbey Murphy!


Eight current or past Minnesota Gophers are playing for USA Hockey, including Abbey Murphy. I think current Gopher Abbey Murphy (redshirt sophomore in 2022-23) is destined for greatness with Minnesota.


Former Minnesota Gopher Amanda Kessel has been a tournament star.



Her career sadly has been sidelined by concussion injuries. She fell out of the spotlight a few times. Now for the past couple years she's been showing her greatness.


Minnesota Gopher Taylor Heise is one of the greats in women's hockey too. Her last season for Minnesota is 2022-23. Heise had 3 assists against Czech Republic to advance to the gold medal game.





Minnesota Gopher Nelli Laitinen for Finland (a freshman during the 2022-23 season) will face Minnesota Gopher Josefin Bouveng for Sweden (a freshman during the 2022-23 season) for the tournament Placement game.

Leijonat - Naisleijonat: Ruotsi-peli huipentaa Naisleijonien MM-kisaurakan, panoksena nousu A-lohkoon – ottelusta on lähetys TV5-kanavalla ja discovery+-palvelussa

Suomen naisten maajoukkueen pelit Kanadassa pelattavissa MM-kisoissa päättyvät sunnuntaina huipputärkeään Ruotsi-peliin. Ottelun voittaja nousee ensi vuodeksi MM-kisojen A-lohkoon. Ottelu alkaa Suomen aikaa kello 17.08. Naisleijonat lähtee peliin totutusti 13...

leijonat.fi

 

[SHGopher]

Finland with Laitinen beat Sweden with Bouveng. If I read the stats right, Laitinen a defender started on the first line and made two shots. Bouveng a forward played on the third line and also made two shots.

https://www.iihf.com/pdf/498/ihw498129_74_3_0

IIHF - FIN - SWE 16.04.2023 - 2023 IIHF WOMEN'S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP - Game Centre Play by play

IIHF - FIN - SWE 16.04.2023 - 2023 IIHF WOMEN'S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP - Game Centre Play by play

www.iihf.com

 

[WayOfTheGopher]

What their goalie situation like? Vetter will likely be the starter, I know we still got another year until Hannah Clark arrives, if she's still committed.

 

[SHGopher]

What their goalie situation like? Vetter will likely be the starter, I know we still got another year until Hannah Clark arrives, if she's still committed.

Skylar Vetter was excellent for the Gophers in the post-season, from the WCHA Final Faceoff Tournament into the Frozen Four. I have a lot of confidence in Vetter. The Gophers won the Final Faceoff in part due to excellent goaltending and tighter defense by the Gophers.

Skylar Vetter - Women's Hockey - University of Minnesota Athletics

Skylar Vetter (31) Goaltender - PRONUNCIATION Your browser does not support HTML5 audio. ...

gophersports.com

Minnesota plays that more open attack style. Gophers are not going to run a shutdown defense like a 1-3-1.

I do think last season they needed more poking at the puck forechecking and backchecking, and laying it out more for blocks, which they were better at in the post season.

It wasn't Vetter's fault they lost in the Frozen Four to Wisconsin. There were a couple defense break downs including the Wisconsin player skating around the net unopposed to the side-front of the net. I was at that game on that side of the rink and saw it unfold. And then the skaters looked tired in overtime.

Also, Minnesota scored a goal that should have counted but was taken away as a high stick. That was not high enough to be high stick.

Conclusion: I think Vetter is going to have a great season as a junior. I think the Gophers will have a top goaltender. Will she be as good as a Soderberg (UMD) or a Gwyneth Phillips (Northeastern)? Maybe.

Today I just saw a video highlight of "the great" Soderberg reaching up with her glove to stop the shot but it went in. So not even the greats stop every shot.

If others want to share information, please do. I'm looking to learn.

Her regular season goaltending was good, slipped just slightly towards the end, and then really good in the post season when the Gophers defense looked more intent, more on the pock, and blocked more shots.

I think Vetter as a junior will be really good.

Keep an eye on the Gopher defenders, including the incoming recruits.

Gophers Sign Six to 2023-24 Freshmen Class - University of Minnesota Athletics

Minnesota's largest signing class since 2018 is made up of five Minnesotans and the first Hungarian in program history.

gophersports.com

Goaltender Hannah Clark of Canada will be coming for the 2024-25 season:

Minnesota earns commitment from Etobicoke Jr. Dolphins goaltender Hannah Clark

Clark, a 5-foot-9 goaltender, posted a .955 save percentage with the Dolphins last season and was also a member of the U18 Team Canada roster for a three-game series against the USA in August.

www.therinklive.com

Oshawa's Hannah Clark, Whitby's Alex Law help Canada women's under-18 hockey team strike gold

Two Durham players were key cogs as Canada’s under-18 women’s hockey team struck gold.

www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com

Clark, who plays for Etobicoke in the OWHA under-22 elite division, had the shutout in the gold-medal game and made vital saves for Canada in earlier tournament games to help Canada to a perfect 5-0 record in the tournament. Clark started and won four of the five tournament games.

“We knew what our end goal was; we knew we had a job to do and were going to work as hard as possible to get it done,” said Clark. “Our team has so much heart. I love every one of these girls, and I know we love each other. You dream about (winning gold) since you are little; it is so special.”

Hannah Clark at eliteprospects.com

Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of Hannah Clark, 2006-05-12 Oshawa, ON, CAN Canada. Most recently in the OWHL U22 (W) with Etobicoke Dolphins. Complete player biography and stats.

www.eliteprospects.com

 

[SHGopher]

I think Abbey Murphy is destined for greatness with Minnesota. As a scorer she is clutch. She was the MVP of the WCHA Final Faceoff. She scores when it counts.


Today she is the right forward on the third line, but I would take her first for clutch goals.

 

[SHGopher]

USA defeated Canada to win gold!

U.S. beats Canada in women's hockey world championship final on Hilary Knight hat trick

The U.S. beat Canada 6-3 in the world women's hockey championship final as Hilary Knight scored a hat trick.

olympics.nbcsports.com

Abbey Murphy of Minnesota Gophers scored first for USA. Caroline Harvey of Wisconsin Badgers scored. Team captain Hilary Knight formerly of Wisconsin scored a big hat trick. And then Cayla Barnes of Boston College scored an empty net goal.

Women's Worlds gold medal: USA vs. Canada

Team USA rallied to defeat Team Canada 6-3 in Sunday’s IIHF Women’s World Championship gold medal game to secure their first title since 2019. Hilary Knight stole the show as she scored her 100th point in her IIHF Worlds career and finished the game with a hat trick.

theathletic.com

"Every bit of praise Hilary Knight gets after that performance will be deserved. She's one of the few best American players in the history of hockey, and we're lucky to watch her. Abbey Murphy's night shouldn't go unnnoticed, though. Murphy scored the first U.S. goal, then basically bought a call to send Brianne Jenner to the penalty box and set the table for the go-ahead goal.

That's Murphy in a nutshell — she truly seems like hell to play against — and says a lot about the work she's put in since being left off the 2022 World Championship roster. For the U.S., ironically, a lot of this tournament was about identifying core players for the future. Murphy, at 21, is part of that group."







I am sure this stings for Canada, the top hockey nation in the world that is so close to their snowy, winter nation identity.

US to face Canada in women's world ice hockey final | CNN

They might be close neighbors geographically but the bitter rivalry between the US and Canada has defined women’s ice hockey for the last three decades.

www.cnn.com

 

[SHGopher]

International Tournament Stats for Current and Former Minnesota Gophers

Current Minnesota Gophers Redshirt Junior in 2023-24

Murphy had 1 goal in the gold medal game.


Current Minnesota Gophers Sophomore in 2023-24



Current Minnesota Gophers Sophomore in 2023-24


Incoming Freshman for 2023-24 Season



2022-23 Final Season with Minnesota Gophers

Heise had 1 assist in the gold medal game.


Former Minnesota Gopher

Kessel had 2 assists in the gold medal game.


Former Minnesota Gopher



Former Minnesota Gopher

https://www.iihf.com/pdf/498/ihw498131_74_3_0

IIHF - Teams 2023 IIHF WOMEN'S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

IIHF - Teams 2023 IIHF WOMEN'S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

www.iihf.com

 

[SHGopher]

Let's see that Abbey Murphy (of Minnesota Gophers) goal in the gold medal game one more time.


USA Hockey defense stops the attack by the Canadians when defender Lee Stecklein (previously of Minnesota Gophers) pokes away the puck from the Canada attacker.




Forward Alex Carpenter (formerly with Boston College) gains control of the puck.

Abbey Murphy (Minnesota) turns and hits the jets for a breakaway. Carpenter makes a terrific backhanded bank pass to Murphy.




Murphy attacks to the Canadian net!




One defender between the net and Murphy. Murphy has a killer outside shot where she scores from a far-wide angle.



The Canada defender slides to block the shot.




Murphy pulls back on her shot and in a flash moves away just enough from the block to...







Fire!




Score!

 

[SHGopher]

WCHA Announces 2023-24 League Composite Schedule

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – The Western Collegiate Hockey Association unveiled its composite league schedule for the 2023-24 season, a slate featuring 112 games as each program competes in a 28-game WCHA campaign this season.

wcha.com

The Western Collegiate Hockey Association unveiled its composite league schedule for the 2023-24 season, a slate featuring 112 games as each program competes in a 28-game WCHA campaign this season.

The highly anticipated 25th season of the top league in women’s college hockey culminates with the eight-team 2024 Kwik Trip WCHA Final Faceoff, with the league’s four quarterfinal winners advancing to the postseason tournament on March 8-9.


Ticket prices for Women's Gophers Hockey are a great value! I believe they are only $10 per game and free for students.

Full season tickets are only $79 to $99!

University of Minnesota Athletics

Online Ticket Office

gophersports.evenue.net

MINNESOTA SCHEDULE:



Friday, October 13, 2023 Hockey

	Away	Home	Time	Location	Links
	Minnesota	St. Thomas	TBA	Mendota Heights, Minn. (Conf.)

Saturday, October 14, 2023 Hockey

	Away	Home	Time	Location	Links
	Minnesota	St. Thomas	TBA	Mendota Heights, Minn. (Conf.)

Tuesday, October 17, 2023 Hockey

	Away	Home	Time	Location	Links
	St. Cloud State	Minnesota	TBA	Minneapolis, Minn. (Conf.)

Friday, October 27, 2023 Hockey

	Away	Home	Time	Location	Links
	Minnesota	Ohio State	TBA	Columbus, Ohio (Conf.)

Saturday, October 28, 2023 Hockey

	Away	Home	Time	Location	Links
	Minnesota	Ohio State	TBA	Columbus, Ohio (Conf.)

Friday, November 3, 2023 Hockey

	Away	Home	Time	Location	Links
	Minnesota State	Minnesota	TBA	Minneapolis, Minn. (Conf.)

Saturday, November 4, 2023 Hockey

	Away	Home	Time	Location	Links
	Minnesota	Minnesota State	TBA	Minneapolis, Minn. (Conf.)

Friday, November 17, 2023 Hockey

	Away	Home	Time	Location	Links
	Minnesota	Minnesota Duluth	TBA	Duluth, Minn. (Conf.)

Saturday, November 18, 2023 Hockey

	Away	Home	Time	Location	Links
	Minnesota	Minnesota Duluth	TBA	Duluth, Minn. (Conf.)

Friday, December 1, 2023 Hockey

	Away	Home	Time	Location	Links
	Bemidji State	Minnesota	TBA	Minneapolis, Minn. (Conf.)

Saturday, December 2, 2023 Hockey

	Away	Home	Time	Location	Links
	Bemidji State	Minnesota	TBA	Minneapolis, Minn. (Conf.)

Tuesday, December 5, 2023 Hockey

	Away	Home	Time	Location	Links
	Minnesota	St. Cloud State	TBA	St. Cloud, Minn. (Conf.)

Friday, December 8, 2023 Hockey

	Away	Home	Time	Location	Links
	Wisconsin	Minnesota	TBA	Minneapolis, Minn. (Conf.)

Saturday, December 9, 2023 Hockey

	Away	Home	Time	Location	Links
	Wisconsin	Minnesota	TBA	Minneapolis, Minn. (Conf.)

Friday, January 12, 2024 Hockey

	Away	Home	Time	Location	Links
	Ohio State	Minnesota	TBA	Minneapolis, Minn. (Conf.)

Saturday, January 13, 2024 Hockey

	Away	Home	Time	Location	Links
	Ohio State	Minnesota	TBA	Minneapolis, Minn. (Conf.)

Friday, January 19, 2024 Hockey

	Away	Home	Time	Location	Links
	Minnesota	Bemidji State	TBA	Bemidji, Minn. (Conf.)

Saturday, January 20, 2024 Hockey

	Away	Home	Time	Location	Links
	Minnesota	Bemidji State	TBA	Bemidji, Minn. (Conf.)

Friday, January 26, 2024 Hockey

	Away	Home	Time	Location	Links
	Minnesota State	Minnesota	TBA	Mankato, Minn. (Conf.)

Saturday, January 27, 2024 Hockey

	Away	Home	Time	Location	Links
	Minnesota	Minnesota State	TBA	Mankato, Minn. (Conf.)

Friday, February 2, 2024 Hockey

	Away	Home	Time	Location	Links
	St. Thomas	Minnesota	TBA	Minneapolis, Minn. (Conf.)

Saturday, February 3, 2024 Hockey

	Away	Home	Time	Location	Links
	St. Thomas	Minnesota	TBA	Minneapolis, Minn. (Conf.)

Friday, February 9, 2024 Hockey

	Away	Home	Time	Location	Links
	Minnesota	St. Cloud State	TBA	Minneapolis, Minn. (Conf.)

Saturday, February 10, 2024 Hockey

	Away	Home	Time	Location	Links
	St. Cloud State	Minnesota	TBA	St. Cloud, Minn. (Conf.)

Friday, February 16, 2024 Hockey

	Away	Home	Time	Location	Links
	Minnesota	Wisconsin	TBA	Madison, Wis. (Conf.)

Saturday, February 17, 2024 Hockey

	Away	Home	Time	Location	Links
	Minnesota	Wisconsin	TBA	Madison, Wis. (Conf.)

Friday, February 23, 2024 Hockey

	Away	Home	Time	Location	Links
	Minnesota Duluth	Minnesota	TBA	Minneapolis, Minn. (Conf.)

Saturday, February 24, 2024 Hockey
�

	Away	Home	Time	Location	Links
	Minnesota Duluth	Minnesota	TBA	Minneapolis, Minn. (Conf.)

See Gophers schedule at this link:

Hockey - Composite Schedule - Western Collegiate Hockey Association

The official composite schedule for Western Collegiate Hockey Association

wcha.com

 

[SHGopher]

Tommies, Gophers to square off in men's and women's hockey doubleheader

The games will be held Oct. 13 at Xcel Energy Center. The women's teams have played 12 times, but this will be the first official meeting for the men's squads.

www.startribune.com

Tommies, Gophers to square off in men's and women's hockey doubleheader​

"St. Thomas and the Gophers will play a men's and women's hockey doubleheader on Oct. 13 at Xcel Energy Center."

'U' to face St. Thomas in Xcel Doubleheader - University of Minnesota Athletics

Tickets to go on sale on Aug. 22

gophersports.com

"Tickets to go on sale on Aug. 22
MINNEAPOLIS – The University of Minnesota men's and women's hockey programs will face St. Thomas at the Xcel Energy Center in a doubleheader on Friday, Oct. 13. Both games will be designated as home games for the Tommies.

The Golden Gopher women's team will open their WCHA conference schedule at 4:00 pm with their 13th all-time meeting with the Tommies before the men's team takes on St. Thomas at 7:30 pm in an official contest for the first time in program history. This will be the first-ever game at the Xcel Energy Center for the Gopher women's team and first for the men's team since 2017.

Tickets will go on sale on Tuesday, Aug. 22 at 10:00am. St. Thomas and Minnesota season ticket holders will have access to a priority pre-sale starting on Monday, Aug. 14. One ticket will give fans access to both games."


‐‐----‐----------#

My view:
Awesome! Great idea and effort to do this!!

 

[SHGopher]

I project goaltender Skylar Vetter to have a strong 2023-24 season. Her stats during tournament games were strong this last post-season. I was there for them all and saw some amazing saves. Up next: her junior season 2023-24.

 

[SHGopher]

Skylar Vetter invited to the 2023 USA Hockey National Goaltending Camp.



She has an Under 18 gold medal and an Under 18 silver medal.

Skylar Vetter

teamusa.usahockey.com

Vetter will be a junior this 2023-24 season.

 

[SHGopher]

Skylar Vetter

 

[3399]

Gophers have been on fire at WomensWorlds, the 2023 IIHF Women's World Championship.

2023-24 Gophers playing in this most-select tournament are:

Forward Abbey Murphy for USA, a redshirt sophomore in 2022-23 who was 2nd in the NCAA for goals scored (trailing only Gopher Taylor Heise).

Defense Nelli Laitinen for Finland, a freshman during the 2022-23 season who ranked third among Gophers defenders in points.

Forward Josefin Bouveng for Sweden, a freshman during the 2022-23 season who scored the 9th most goals for the Gophers, including a hat trick.

Forward Emma Kreisz for Hungary, a new recruit for Minnesota this 2023-24 season who comes from Stanstead College in Canada, a top sports prep school, where she scored 47 points her first season.

Kreisz is a member of the impressive 2023-24 Gophers recruiting class.

Gophers Sign Six to 2023-24 Freshmen Class - University of Minnesota Athletics

Minnesota's largest signing class since 2018 is made up of five Minnesotans and the first Hungarian in program history.

gophersports.com

View attachment 25109


Other Gophers from other seasons are playing in the tournament too, including Taylor Heise who lead the NCAA in scoring during the 2022-23 season and won the Patty Kazmaier Award the season before, the best player in hockey.

Eight Gophers Representing Four Countries to Compete in 2023 Women's Worlds - University of Minnesota Athletics

The 2023 Women's World Championship will take place Apr. 5-14 in Brampton, Ontario.

gophersports.com

In total, eight Gophers past and present are playing in this most-select tournament. Several other current Gophers are worthy too but only so many spots available on the teams.

Pretty impressive

 

[SHGopher]

Gophers forward Abbey Murphy discusses winning a gold medal, where her feistiness comes from

Murphy grew up in an Illinois family with two brothers who have played college sports, a mother who played college softball and a dad who was a Marine. She won gold last month with Team USA

www.therinklive.com

Gophers forward Abbey Murphy discusses winning a gold medal, where her feistiness comes from​

Murphy grew up in an Illinois family with two brothers who have played college sports, a mother who played college softball and a dad who was a Marine. She won gold last month with Team USA​

 

[SHGopher]

Minnesota's Skylar Vetter at the USA Hockey National Goaltending Camp.

Here practicing skating backward on one skate.

 

[SHGopher]

Minnesota's top two rivals in 2023-24: Wisconsin and Ohio State.

You'll want tickets for those games for sure. I think regular season tickets are still only $10 each and free for students.

All the WCHA games are good ones. UMD is another big rival in the WCHA.

Gophers will open the season at Xcel Energy Center against St Thomas in a double-header women's hockey followed by men's hockey.

 

[SHGopher]

Tickets as low as $79 for the season at this link:

University of Minnesota Athletics

Online Ticket Office

gophersports.evenue.net

From Minnesota Women's Hockey:

Introducing... Credit Up!

Our new ticket return initiative will allow season ticket holders to return tickets in exchange for credit for season ticket renewal or converted into a tax-deductible donation to support Gopher Athletics.

 

[NorthernLakesGopher]

Natalie Darwitz no longer on the coaching staff. Seems a little unexpected.

 

[SHGopher]

"There were indications within the program that Darwitz, a former Eagan, Gophers and Team USA standout, and head coach Brad Frost had philosophical differences." --Star Tribune, Randy Johnson

Natalie Darwitz leaves her post as Gophers women's hockey assistant coach

There were indications within the program that Darwitz, a former Eagan, Gophers and Team USA standout, and head coach Brad Frost had philosophical differences.

www.startribune.com

Could be a few things.

On the one hand, during Darwitz's time coaching the team, the Gophers won a regular season WCHA championship and a WCHA tournament championship but no Frozen Four trophy. Gophers were eliminated in the Frozen Fours. In Minnesota we expect to be #1 in USA college hockey. And maybe former star players are not necessarily the best coach.

On the other hand, Coach Brad Frost is a bit on the hot seat. He's done a great job keeping Minnesota consistently elite. But he hasn't won the NCAA Frozen Four in awhile. Maybe time to step aside? And look who's in the wings as his assistant: Darwitz. A few of us have thought that.

The coach gets the heat and so gets to make the decisions leading to success (or not) ahead. If he wants to sack a coach then it's done.

She is a good coach by the way. Someone should hire her. She has been successful as a coach with players starting from her first coaching at lower levels.

Update: She also coached with the Gophers during the 2008-09 season. The Gophers went 32-5-3 that season. She then went back to playing hockey after that season.

 

[SHGopher]

Final schedule is out.





This season starts with easier games against 4-26-2 RIT.

Gophers play D1 hockey in DC against Cornell and Harvard. Last season Cornell finished 5th in the ECAC conference. Harvard finished 8th. Both teams are not ultra-elite.

D1 IN DC

The Washington Pride is a college-prep Tier 1 (AAA) girls ice hockey team based in the Nations Capital. The Pride competes in the Junior Women's Hockey League and in various events across North America.

www.pridehockey.com

In contrast, last season the Gophers played elite Yale, tops in ECAC, and Penn State that was #12 in the nation, in their early season tournament.

Gophers also play 18-13-4 Connecticut that finished 5th in the Hockey East conference.

So the non-conference schedule seems easier than last season. Gophers will not face teams like Yale and Northeastern.

Gophers still have to face tough teams in Ohio State and Wisconsin plus the other teams in the WCHA like UMD.

2023-24 Women's Hockey Schedule - University of Minnesota Athletics

The official 2023-24 Women's Hockey schedule for the University of Minnesota Gophers

gophersports.com

 

[SHGopher]

"There were indications within the program that Darwitz, a former Eagan, Gophers and Team USA standout, and head coach Brad Frost had philosophical differences." --Star Tribune, Randy Johnson

Natalie Darwitz leaves her post as Gophers women's hockey assistant coach

There were indications within the program that Darwitz, a former Eagan, Gophers and Team USA standout, and head coach Brad Frost had philosophical differences.

www.startribune.com

Could be a few things.

On the one hand, during Darwitz's time coaching the team, the Gophers won a regular season WCHA championship and a WCHA tournament championship but no Frozen Four trophy. Gophers were eliminated in the Frozen Fours. In Minnesota we expect to be #1 in USA college hockey. And maybe former star players are not necessarily the best coach.

On the other hand, Coach Brad Frost is a bit on the hot seat. He's done a great job keeping Minnesota consistently elite. But he hasn't won the NCAA Frozen Four in awhile. Maybe time to step aside? And look who's in the wings as his assistant: Darwitz. A few of us have thought that.

The coach gets the heat and so gets to make the decisions leading to success (or not) ahead. If he wants to sack a coach then it's done.

She is a good coach by the way. Someone should hire her. She has been successful as a coach with players starting from her first coaching at lower levels.

Update: She also coached with the Gophers during the 2008-09 season. The Gophers went 32-5-3 that season. She then went back to playing hockey after that season.

Here is another spin I just thought of.

Gophers are elite year after year for decades and deserve credit for that.

But if Gophers do not win the Frozen Four in the next couple years, Darwitz's fingerprints are off that. Darwitz would be brought back as the new head coach.

To me Gophers are in a consolidating phase behind coach Frost. The schedule is slightly easier this season for a better record. Frost has a long and good record supporting him. I think we have an all-in on coach Frost.

But if no Frozen Four championship comes soon, then Darwitz could be his replacement. Her fingerprints are off any shortcomings ahead.

Gophers lost Taylor Heise and yet are expected to win a Frozen Four. Not easy to do but the heat is on.

All-in on the very good coach Frost. But as Sid Hartman would say, win baby win.

 

[SHGopher]

Here is another spin I just thought of.

Gophers are elite year after year for decades and deserve credit for that.

But if Gophers do not win the Frozen Four in the next couple years, Darwitz's fingerprints are off that. Darwitz would be brought back as the new head coach.

To me Gophers are in a consolidating phase behind coach Frost. The schedule is slightly easier this season for a better record. Frost has a long and good record supporting him. I think we have an all-in on coach Frost.

But if no Frozen Four championship comes soon, then Darwitz could be his replacement. Her fingerprints are off any shortcomings ahead.

Gophers lost Taylor Heise and yet are expected to win a Frozen Four. Not easy to do but the heat is on.

All-in on the very good coach Frost. But as Sid Hartman would say, win baby win.

Katey Stone Announces Retirement - Harvard University

After 29 years at the helm of the Harvard Women's Hockey program, Katey Stone announces her retirement from coaching.

gocrimson.com

Harvard should hire Natalie Darwitz.

 

[SHGopher]

Harvard should hire Natalie Darwitz as head coach.

From January, 2023:

Gophers promote Darwitz to associate head coach - Minnesota News Network

Golden Gopher women’s hockey assistant coach Natalie Darwitz has been promoted to associate head coach. In three full seasons behind the bench at Minnesota, Darwitz has helped guide the Gophers to a 58-15-5 record and two WCHA regular season titles in 2009 and 2022. “We are excited to move...

minnesotanewsnetwork.com

“We are excited to move Natalie into this position,” said head coach Brad Frost. “She has had a tremendous impact on our program over many years and is very deserving of this promotion.”

 

[SHGopher]

Harvard should hire Natalie Darwitz as head coach.

From January, 2023:

Gophers promote Darwitz to associate head coach - Minnesota News Network

Golden Gopher women’s hockey assistant coach Natalie Darwitz has been promoted to associate head coach. In three full seasons behind the bench at Minnesota, Darwitz has helped guide the Gophers to a 58-15-5 record and two WCHA regular season titles in 2009 and 2022. “We are excited to move...

minnesotanewsnetwork.com

“We are excited to move Natalie into this position,” said head coach Brad Frost. “She has had a tremendous impact on our program over many years and is very deserving of this promotion.”

Darwitz to enter U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame

Former University of Minnesota hockey star and current Hamline University women's hockey coach Natalie Darwitz is part of the 2018 class of the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame.

www.mprnews.org

Per article:

Natalie Darwitz inducted into US Hockey Hall of Fame.

Darwitz was "named the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference coach of the year and the USCHO.com Division III Women's National Coach of the Year."


I express my admiring support both for Darwitz and Minnesota Gophers for their decision.

Someone like Harvard should hire Darwitz.

 

[SHGopher]

Darwitz to enter U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame

Former University of Minnesota hockey star and current Hamline University women's hockey coach Natalie Darwitz is part of the 2018 class of the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame.

www.mprnews.org

Per article:

Natalie Darwitz inducted into US Hockey Hall of Fame.

Darwitz was "named the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference coach of the year and the USCHO.com Division III Women's National Coach of the Year."


I express my admiring support both for Darwitz and Minnesota Gophers for their decision.

Someone like Harvard should hire Darwitz.

More on the Harvard shakeup:

Harvard's Katey Stone retires amid program probe

The women's hockey program is under investigation for allegations of mistreatment and misconduct toward players by coach Katey Stone.

theathletic.com

 

[SHGopher]

Per Youth Hockey Hub:

"Jake Bobrowski and Natalie Darwitz have accepted the co-head coaching position at Hill-Murray. The two have a long history coaching together both at Hamline and the University of Minnesota.

With a stockpile of talent coming in, the Pioneers are a powerhouse in the making."