MINNEAPOLIS — Hockey legend Natalie Darwitz will no longer be in charge PWHL Minnesota. The move comes just days after the team’s historic victory in the league’s first championship.
The 40-year-old Darwitz was told this week that she would not be asked back as general manager next season and was offered alternative options within the league, according to the New York Times.
Minnesota will host the 2024 PWHL Draft on Monday and the first-ever PWHL Awards on Tuesday. Darwitz is not expected to be at the draft table.
“We appreciate everything Natalie has done for PWHL Minnesota in the league’s inaugural season and her contributions to the team’s championship success. We wish her the best in the future,” said Jayna Hefford, Senior Vice President of Hockey Operations at the PWHL.
WCCO
The Eagan resident, who was hired as general manager in September 2023led the Gopher women’s hockey team to NCAA championships in 2004 and 2005, and later served as the team’s associate coach for two seasons.
She won three world championships during her tenure with the U.S. women’s national team and earned two silver medals and a bronze medal at the 2002, 2006 and 2010 Winter Olympics.
She has been inducted into both the US Hockey Hall of Fame and the International Ice Hockey Federation Hall of Fame.
PWHL Minnesota became the first professional sports team to bring a title to Minnesota since then the Minnesota Lynx last won the WNBA Finals in 2017. Their home opener at St. Paul’s Xcel Energy Center in January broke the world record for attendance at a professional women’s hockey match.
The PWHL has no immediate timeline for naming the next general manager for Minnesota, the league said.
