Huber, Hemp, Mlynkova all selected in 2025 PWHL Entry Draft
Following last month's announcement of their eligibility for the 2025 PWHL Entry Draft, Gopher Women's Hockey alumnae Peyton Hemp, Ella Huber, and Natalie Mlynkova are all "draftees" after their names were called at the event last night (Tuesday, June 24) at the Hard Rock Live inside the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Ottawa, Ontario.
Huber was the first of the Gopher contingent selected, being picked 10th overall by the Boston Fleet in the 2nd Round. Mlynkova went just two picks later, chosen 12th overall by the Montréal Victoire. Hemp made it three-for-three when she was selected 29th overall, going in Round 4 to the Ottawa Charge.
We congratulate all three on their selections and wish them the best in their new endeavors!! We will continue to watch for signing updates as the off-season progresses.
The full PWHL Entry Draft results are available here.
Wethington named Big Ten Postgraduate Scholarship recipient
Graduating Gopher Women's Hockey forward Audrey Wethington has been named one of thirty-six 2025 Big Ten Postgraduate Scholarship Recipients – two from each of the 18 member institutions – as announced by the conference yesterday.
As noted in the press release, the honorees will each be awarded a $7,500 scholarship, based primarily on academic achievements. Each school developed its own on-campus selection process when awarding scholarships. Student-athletes must have maintained at least a 3.2 grade-point average (GPA), demonstrated leadership qualities, served as an excellent role model and intended to continue their academic work beyond their baccalaureate degree at a graduate degree program. The Big Ten Postgraduate Scholarship will be used to pay expenses of the student’s postgraduate education to include such related activities as research and teaching, as well as other expenses such as tuition, fees, room and board, required course-related supplies and books. To retain the scholarship, the recipient must be accepted into a full-time graduate degree program within three years from the fall semester after selection.
Congratulations on this honor, Audrey!!
GWH alumna Savannah Norcross rejoins PWHL's NY Sirens
In addition to last night's PWHL selections, we send a shout-out to another Gopher Women's Hockey alumna who has signed in the league.
Savannah Norcross inked a one-year Standard Player Agreement with the New York Sirens on Saturday, rejoining the club after playing 22 games last season (combined regular & post-season) with Luleå HF of the SDHL in Sweden, tallying eight goals and 18 assists for 26 points..
Norcross previously played with (then) PWHL New York in the 2023-2024 season, recording one assist in 20 appearances. Prior to that, she posted a combined 12 goals and 24 assists for 36 points over two seasons with the Gophers.
WCHA: Idalski leaves St. Cloud State to coach PWHL Vancouver
After three seasons as head coach of the St. Cloud State Women's Hockey team, Brian Idalski was hired to be the first head coach of the expansion PWHL Vancouver club, as announced Monday.
Under Idalski, SCSU went 50-50-9, recorded three of its eight highest single-season win totals in program history – including tying their record with 18 in 2022-2023, and twice set program records for most league standings points. He was named USCHO National Coach of the Year and co-WCHA Coach of the Year in 2022-2023, and was a finalist for CCM/American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA) National Coach of the Year.
Prior to his time in St. Cloud, Idalski won two ZhHL titles in three years between 2019 and 2022 as head coach of the KRS Vanke Rays in China, and served as head coach of the Chinese Olympic Women’s Hockey Team for the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing. In the collegiate ranks, he led the University of North Dakota Women's Hockey team to a 169-156-39 record over 10 seasons and Wisconsin-Stevens Point to a 108-21-11 record over five years.
St. Cloud State indicated they would "immediately begin the process" to fill their head coaching vacancy, but provided no further details. We will share any updates as they become available.
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