Former Gophers Abigail Boreen, Madeline Wethington and Amanda Kessel were selected by the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) team in just the second draft in the league's history on Monday night.
Although 167 women waited anxiously in St. Paul's Roy Wilkins Auditorium to hear their names called, only 42 women walked out as members of the PWHL.
The first of three former Gophers draft picks, Boreen was selected 17th overall by Montreal in the third round.
Boreen won the Walter Cup with PWHL Minnesota last season, but avoided the first round of draft picks and signed with the team as a reserve player. She was crowned champion while attending the University of Minnesota School of Pharmacy.
Boreen has entered his name into the draft with the aim of playing full-time next season.
“It's tough to leave a program I've poured my heart into, but I'm really happy for this opportunity,” Boreen said, fighting back tears.
Four rounds after Boreen was called to the stage, PWHL Ottawa general manager Mike Hirschfeld announced he would select Wethington with the 38th overall pick.
The St. Paul crowd cheered her on.
Wethington, a 2019 graduate of Blake High School, spent five years with the Gophers. He tied a team record with 173 games played and led the team to the NCAA Frozen Four in 2023.
“Obviously (Minnesota) is a hockey state,” Wethington said. “We're excited about the new market, and Ottawa seems like a great place.”
The Gophers' last draft pick was the 32-year-old Kessel. The Madison, Wisconsin, native was a member of the Gophers when they won three national titles.
Instead of entering last year's draft, Kessel worked as a special assistant to the general manager of the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins.
Kessel was drafted 41st overall by the PWHL's Montreal and will help bring three Olympic medals to a team that finished second in the league last season.
Former Gophers goalie Lucy Morgan was one of 125 women who registered for the draft but didn't hear their name called.
The Minnesota native expressed disappointment in the PWHL's decision to fire former Minnesota general manager Natalie Darwitz. Boos from the crowd echoed through the auditorium as coach Ken Kurri took the stage with Billie Jean King to announce Minnesota's first-round pick.
Darwitz is an Eagan native and three-time Olympic medalist and former Gophers assistant coach who retired from PWHL Minnesota after winning the inaugural tournament.
“I am extremely proud of the team and organization I have built and brought home a championship to this great state of hockey,” Darwitz said in an official statement Sunday. “At this time, I cannot provide any further details regarding my departure.”
With no team owners, the PWHL runs the teams and league officials have the final say on Darwitz's work.
Jayna Hefford, the PWHL's senior vice president of hockey operations, said the league reviewed the situation in Minnesota for months before deciding to fire her.
“We fully recognize Natalie Darwitz's iconic status in Minnesota,” Hefford said. AP“She has made incredible contributions to the PWHL and to building a championship team. Obviously, this was the last thing we wanted, but our job is to do what's right for the league and that's where we are today.”
Hefford said he looked around the league to see if the current personnel could be successful, but he doesn't see a path forward with Minnesota's current staff.
PWHL Minnesota Draft Picks
1st round, 3rd pick – D, Claire Thompson (Team Sonnet/PWHPA)
Round 2, Pick 9 – F, Britta Kahl (University of Wisconsin)
3rd round, 15th place – F, Klára Hymlárová (St. Cloud State University)
Round 4, 21st place – F, Brooke McQuig (Clarkson University)
Round 5, 27th place – F, Dominic Petrie (Clarkson University)
Round 6, Pick 33 – D, Mae Batherson (St. Lawrence University)
Round 7, 39th place – F, Katie Knoll (Northeastern University)
