Minnesota Frost’s Losses Are PWHL Vancouver’s Gains in Expansion Draft – The Hockey Writers – PWHL

Now that the first-ever expansion draft in the PWHL has come and gone, it’s time to take a look at what each team lost. Through the exclusive signing window and the actual expansion draft, each team of the original six lost up to a maximum of four players, but this was also before free agency started, so each team could lose even more players depending on who they can and can’t sign. 

The first team we’ll look at will be the back-to-back Walter Cup Champions, the Minnesota Frost. It was no surprise that the first two players taken in the exclusive signing window were from the Frost. Everyone wants to learn how to create the type of team they had, and what better way than with champion-winning players? In this article, we’ll look at who the Frost lost and what the new teams gain in those players, starting with the forwards they lost. 

Křížová Leaves a Void

She wasn’t at the top of the scoring in the regular season and struggled during the postseason, but Denisa Křížová still has great offensive skills. She has speed and strong puck-handling skills that earned her four goals and five assists for nine points in the regular season. She nearly scored in the playoffs but couldn’t get through despite numerous attempts. 

The Frost does have solid depth in the forward department with a number of forwards who have already become relied on for their scoring. While losing Křížová is a hit to their offense, they’ll get by without her, but PWHL Vancouver is gaining a valuable asset. She has a lot of potential, and if the Frost had been able to keep her along with the rest of the roster, they would’ve. 

Some players had to go, and PWHL Vancouver made a wise choice in taking Křížová. She already played with a couple of her new teammates, like Brooke McQuigge this past season and Abby Boreen in their first season. She could also pair with Sarah Nurse or a number of the other forwards they picked up. While the Frost lost, PWHL Vancouver gained, and it will be fun to see her growth with a new team. 

McQuigge had a Strong Rookie Debut 

In her first year, McQuigge made quite the impression with 15 points in 29 games played, which included eight goals and seven assists. She’s very speedy, plays with her head up, and while she already showed a lot of promise, she has a lot of room to grow her game. Just like Křížová, the Frost couldn’t protect everyone, and some players had to be left…