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M H J O N L I N E . C O M | N O V / D E C 2 0 2 4 26 New Faces Mere days after hoisting the Cup, Minnesota unceremoniously parted ways with general manager Natalie Darwitz, the longtime face of women's hockey in the state. While it was a departure that left many fans rattled, the hiring of Melissa Caruso officially turns the page in a new direction. "I've met with the roster and my staff and I'm here now," said Caruso, who spent the past 15 years in the American Hockey League, most recently as Vice President of Hockey Operations and Governance. "We're going to turn the page and move forward together. I think as long as we're all pushing forward together, hopefully the summer is in the rearview mirror at this point." Caruso wants to see an even better, more consistent team. "It's not every year that a GM walks into a situation where we're defending a Cup right off the bat," said Caruso. "So, I think personally my expectations are really high for myself and for the team. I want year two to be better than year one. "They had a pretty incredible season last year, so I want to make sure we're building a great culture and have everyone on board to achieving the same goals and working together to do so." The Frost open training camp Nov. 12 at Tria Rink with 16 players signed, including Heise, Grace Zumwinkle, Kelly Pannek, Lee Stecklein, and Kendall Coyne Schofield. There are seven spots open, along with three reserve positions available. "Training camp is going to be quick, and there will be decisions to be made," Caruso said. New Look The familiar purple will once again be on the ice, but this year fans will have a name to chant for their favorite PWHL team: Frost. "It definitely screams Minnesota," said Heise. The PWHL unveiled team names on Sept. 9, with Minnesota earning the moniker 'Frost' due to Minnesota's "deep-rooted love for the ice and the sport in the State of Hockey." Its logo features a stylized 'F' that captures the sharp, angular essence of ici - cles, signifying Minnesota's embrace of the cold and deep connection to hockey while also reflecting the icy nature of frost. Official team merchandise is now available. The other teams were named: Boston Fleet, Montréal Victoire, New York Sirens, Ottawa Charge and Toronto Sceptres. Same Goal While changes were plenty in the offsea- son, the Frost will return for year two with the same endgame in mind: be the last team standing. "I definitely think the expectation from everyone, including ourselves, is that we have to come back better than we were last year," Heise said. "That's what happens when you win. People expect more, and sometimes it's hard to take that extra step but we're really going to try. We have a new team this year, as does everyone else, and there's so much talent in the women's game." Heise has big expectations for the wom - en's game as a whole. She knows young, aspiring girls' hockey players are watching. "It's a reality, not a dream anymore," she added. "They can see that profes- sional women's hockey is attainable and achievable." 2024 - 2025 SCHEDULE DEC. 1 DEC. 4 DEC. 7 DEC. 19 DEC. 22 DEC. 28 JAN. 2 JAN. 4 JAN. 12 JAN. 15 JAN. 17 JAN. 21 JAN. 26 JAN. 28 FEB. 11 FEB. 13 FEB. 16 FEB. 18 FEB. 23 MAR. 4 MAR. 7 MAR. 9 MAR. 11 MAR. 16 MAR. 26 MAR. 30 APR. 26 APR. 30 MAY 3 vs. New York @ Boston @Toronto vs. Ottawa @ New York vs. Montreal vs. Boston vs. New York vs. Montreal @ New York @ Montreal vs. Ottawa vs. Boston vs. Toronto @ Toronto @ Ottawa @ Boston @ Montreal vs. Toronto @ Montreal vs. Ottawa @ Toronto @ Ottawa @ New York vs. Montreal vs. Toronto vs. New York @ Ottawa @ Boston MINNESOTA.THEPWHL.COM/EN/TICKETS 5 p.m. 6 p.m. 1 p.m. 7 p.m. 11 a.m. 1 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 1 p.m. TBD 6 p.m. 6 p.m. 6 p.m. 2 p.m. 6 p.m. 6 p.m. 6 p.m. 12 p.m. 6 p.m. 12:30 p.m. 6 p.m. TBD 12 p.m. 6 p.m. TBD 7 p.m. 12 p.m. TBD TBD TBD