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Minnesota Whitecaps

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Minnesota Whitecaps
File:MinnesotaWhitecaps.png
CitySaint Paul, Minnesota
LeagueWestern Women's Hockey League (2004–2011)
National Women's Hockey League (2018–present)
Founded2004 (2004)
Home arenaTRIA Rink
ColorsBlack, white, blue and silver
       
Owner(s)Women's Hockey Partners (NWHL)
General managerJack Brodt
Head coachJack Brodt
Ronda Engelhardt
MediaTwitch
AffiliateMinnesota Wild (NHL)
Websitewhitecaps.nwhl.zone
Championships
Playoff championships1 Clarkson Cup (2010)
1 Isobel Cup (2019)
Current season

The Minnesota Whitecaps are a professional women's ice hockey team based in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul area. Established in 2004, they are a member of the National Women's Hockey League (NWHL). The Whitecaps play their home games at the TRIA Rink in Saint Paul, the practice rink of the Minnesota Wild.

The team was independent, following the dissolution of the Western Women's Hockey League after the 2010–11 season. While independent, the Whitecaps' schedule consisted mostly of games against women's college ice hockey squads. The team also played some exhibition games against teams in the new National Women's Hockey League during the league's inaugural 2015–16 season but was not an official member of that league.[1] On May 15, 2018, the National Women's Hockey League announced they had acquired the Whitecaps and the team would officially join the league for the 2018–19 season.[2]

The Whitecaps are the only team to have won both a Clarkson Cup and an Isobel Cup championship, the two major championships in professional women's hockey in North America winning the Clarkson Cup in 2010 as a member of the WWHL and the Isobel Cup in 2019 in their inaugural season in the NWHL.

The Whitecaps have also two junior teams: U19 and U17.[3]

History

WWHL era

The Whitecaps playing the Calgary Oval X-Treme during their time in the WWHL.

The Whitecaps were formed by two Minneapolis–Saint Paul area hockey dads, Jack Brodt and Dwayne Schmidgall in 2004. They wanted to give their daughters – Winny Brodt, former Minnesota Golden Gophers player and U.S. national team member, and Jenny Schmidgall Potter, a four-time U.S. Olympic medalist – a place to play after college.[4] The Whitecaps were part of the Western Women's Hockey League (WWHL) from the fall of 2004 until the summer of 2006. In July 2006, it was announced that team, along with other WWHL teams, would be joining the National Women's Hockey League (NWHL) for the 2006–07 season. However, this was short lived as the NWHL and WWHL could not reach an agreement upon a playoff schedule. As a result, the merger was not consummated. With the collapse of the NWHL in the summer of 2007, the Western Women's Hockey League was a completely independent league.[5]

The Whitecaps took three regular season championships in the WWHL, 2008–09, 2009–10 and 2010–11, qualifying to participate in the Clarkson Cup tournament for the Canadian women's ice hockey championships against teams from the Canadian Women's Hockey League.

During the qualifying WWHL rounds 2008–09, the Whitecaps won the semifinal match 4–0 over the Edmonton Chimos. The next day, the Whitecaps defeated the Calgary Oval X-Treme by the score of 2–0 in the championship match in Calgary. During the 2009 Clarkson Cup, the Whitecaps upset both the Brampton Thunder and the Calgary Oval X-Treme. The Whitecaps then played in the final match of the tournament but lost by a score of 3–1 to the Montreal Stars, who would take home the Clarkson Cup.[6]

The following season, 2009–10, the Whitecaps took the WWHL Championship. The first match of the WWHL qualifying round took place on February 5, 2010, at the Minnesota Pagel Ice Arena and the Whitecaps defeated the Strathmore Rockies by a score of 6–3.[7] During the second match on February 6 at Victory Memorial Ice Arena, the Whitecaps beat Strathmore by a score of 4–1.[7] The third match on February 7 at the Graham Arena, Strathmore won 4–3 over the Whitecaps.[7] The Whitecaps 2–1 record advanced the team to the 2010 Clarkson Cup tournament in Richmond Hill, Ontario.[7] Whitecaps beat the Brampton Thunder 4–0 in final game[8][9] and won their only Clarkson Cup.[10]

The Whitecaps were defeated in all three of their round-robin matches in the 2011 Clarkson Cup.[11][12][13]

Independent era

The Canadian Women's Hockey League (CWHL) announced on April 19, 2011, that it would merge with the Western Women's Hockey League for the 2011–12 season. The merger was to feature one team based in Edmonton and Calgary and would be combination of the former WWHL franchises, the Edmonton Chimos and Strathmore Rockies, called Team Alberta.[14]

However, the CWHL decided against adding the Whitecaps and Manitoba Maple Leafs. The business manager of the Whitecaps, Kristie Minkoff, accused the Canadian Women's Hockey League of collusion against the participation of Whitecaps in the 2012 Clarkson Cup and making the team pay $200,000 expansion fee to the CWHL in order to play.[15] The two teams attempted to continue operating the league, but lost several board members and were unable to put together a 2011–12 season. The two teams played a number of exhibition games while the league looked to expand with new teams.[15] The WWHL never reorganized and effectively ceased operations. While independent, the Whitecaps' schedule consisted mostly of games against women's college ice hockey squads.

While independent, the Whitecaps did not have a home rink and reached out to Minnesota youth hockey programs that could either afford to buy ice time at rinks suitable for Whitecaps home games or had ice time donated to them. In exchange, the Whitecaps used part of that ice time to put on clinics for the youth players, who received free tickets to the games and whose hockey associations received 100 percent of the proceeds from ticket sales. Some programs raised more than $1,500 in a single night from the arrangement.[16]

During the 2015–16 season, a new National Women's Hockey League (NWHL) began play in the Northeast United States, and was the first women's hockey league to pay its players. The Whitecaps played four exhibition games against the NWHL teams, but was not an official member of that league.[1] For the 2016–17 season, Whitecaps scheduled no games against CWHL or NWHL teams, but had several games scheduled against NCAA teams and Shattuck-St. Mary's School.[17]

In February 2018, Kate Schipper and Sadie Lundquist were invited to represent the Whitecaps at the NWHL All-Star Game and Skills Challenge, which were held at TRIA Rink in Saint Paul, Minnesota.[18]

NWHL era

The Minnesota Whitecaps team holds up the Isobel Cup, celebrating the NWHL playoff championship.

On May 15, 2018, the NWHL announced that it had an agreement in principle to acquire ownership of the Whitecaps[19] and the team joined the NWHL as an expansion team for the 2018–19 season. The then made an agreement with the Minnesota Wild to use TRIA Rink, the Wild's practice facility, as the site for Whitecaps home games.[20] It was reported that the Whitecaps had hired 2018 Olympic gold medal-winning coach Robb Stauber and his wife Shivaun Stauber as coaches, sharing the head coaching responsibilities,[21] but the parties never signed a contract. Whitecaps' founder and general manager Jack Brodt then returned to the coaching position he held prior to joining the NWHL and hired former University of Minnesota player Ronda Curtin Engelhardt as co-coach.[22]

On August 21, the Whitecaps unveiled their new logo.[23] During their first NWHL season, league commissioner Dani Rylan stated that the Whitecaps were the first NWHL team to turn a profit by having a league-leading 500 season tickets sold, significant merchandise sales, and all home games were sold out through eight games.[24] On March 3, 2019, the Whitecaps finished their inaugural NWHL season as the first seed and regular season champions.[25] On March 17, 2019, the Whitecaps beat the Buffalo Beauts 2–1 in overtime to win the Isobel Cup league playoff championship. The Whitecaps also ended the season with the highest average attendance by selling out all ten home games including the playoffs.[26]

After the season ended, Whitecaps founder Jack Brodt stated the NWHL had never signed the contract the purchase the team and had remained privately controlled.[27]

Season-by-season results

Whitecaps Kate Schipper (6) & Riveters Lexi Slattery (15) in the Whitecaps 2018–2019 season opening weekend at Tria Rink.
= Indicates first-place finish
= Indicates championship

Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against, Pts = Points

Season GP W L T GF GA Pts Finish Playoffs
2004–05 12 8 3 1 34 23 40 2nd Lost in First Round
2005–06 24 11 8 5 79 65 27 3rd Lost Final
2006–07 24 13 9 1 74 64 28 3rd Lost Final
2007–08 24 15 6 1 70 50 33 2nd Lost Final
2008–09 22 18 3 1 181 44 38 2nd WWHL Champions
Lost the Clarkson Cup final game[6]
2009–10 12 10 2 0 44 24 20 1st WWHL Champions
Won Clarkson Cup[8]
2010–11 18 17 1 0 120 43 35 1st WWHL Champions
Lost Clarkson Cup
Season GP W L OTL GF GA Pts Finish Playoffs
2018–19 16 12 4 0 53 34 24 1st Won Isobel Cup championship game, 2–1 (OT) vs. Buffalo Beauts
2019–20 24 17 5 2 106 52 36 2nd Qualified for Isobel Cup championship game vs. Boston Pride
Championship game cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic

Season events

2008–09

  • January 16: The Whitecaps participated in Hockey Day Minnesota. The team played the USA Selects Team.
  • March 8: The Whitecaps defeated the Calgary Oval X-Treme on March 8 in the WWHL Championship game shutting out Calgary by a score of 2–0. The Minnesota Whitecaps also won the semi-final game on March 7 against the Edmonton Chimos by a score of 4–0.
  • March 21: The Whitecaps participated in the inaugural Clarkson Cup. The final game pitted the Montreal Stars, the top team from the Canadian Women's Hockey League, against the Minnesota Whitecaps, the top team from the WWHL.[28] Montreal won the Cup by a score of 3–1. Sanya Sandahl was selected as Minnesota's player of the game.

2009–10

  • November 16: Chisago Lakes was host to the first scrimmage of the season between the Whitecaps and the USA National team.
  • December 21: Jenny Potter, Angela Ruggiero, Julie Chu, Natalie Darwitz, Caitlin Cahow, Molly Engstrom, Lisa Chesson, Jinelle Zaugg-Siergiej and Karen Thatcher all former Minnesota Whitecaps will be playing in the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games on February 12–28.[29]
  • On February 8, 2010, the Whitecaps clinched the WWHL Championship. The first game of the series on February 5, was held at Minnetonka's Pagel Ice Arena hosted by Minnetonka Youth Hockey Association. The Whitecaps beat Strathmore by a score of 6–3. Game two of the series was hosted by the NOVAS Girls High School Hockey team on Saturday, February 6, at Victory Memorial Ice Arena. The Whitecaps will look forward to competing in the Clarkson Cup Championship in Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada from March 26–28.
  • March 28: The Whitecaps defeated the Brampton Thunder 4–0 to win the Clarkson Cup.[8][30]

2010–11

Exhibition
Date Opponent Location Score Goal scorers
October 1, 2010 Minnesota Duluth Duluth, MN 3–4 (Shootout) Jenny Potter, Iya Gavrilova, Saara Tuominen[31]
October 8, 2010 Minnesota Golden Gophers Ridder Arena 2–3 Allie Thunstrom, Saara Tuominen[32]
October 22, 2010 Bemidji State Beavers Eveleth, MN 3–1 Allie Thunstrom, Iya Gavrilova, Jenny Potter[33]
October 23, 2010 Bemidji State Beavers Eveleth, MN 1–5 Jessica Koizumi[34]
2011 Clarkson Cup
Date Match Winner
March 24, 2011 Minnesota – Montreal Montreal Stars 5–1
March 25, 2011 Minnesota – Toronto Toronto Aeros 6–0
March 26, 2011 Minnesota – Brampton Brampton Thunder 7–2

Independent schedules

Since 2011–12 season, Whitecaps played only exhibition games against CWHL, NCAA, high school and NWHL teams.

Exhibition games

Date Opponent Location Score
September 25, 2015 University of Minnesota Ridder Arena 4–5
September 26, 2015 Saint-Cloud State University Ridder Arena 3–4
October 3, 2015 Connecticut Whale North Branford, CT 4–8
October 4, 2015 New York Riveters Newark, NJ 5–2
December 5, 2015 Shattuck-St. Mary's School Ridder Arena 2–3
December 6, 2015 Shattuck-St. Mary's School Faribault, MN 5–4
December 12, 2015 Boston Pride Ridder Arena 1–5
December 13, 2015 Shattuck-St. Mary's School Ridder Arena 5–4
January 6, 2016 University of Minnesota Ridder Arena 5–4
January 9, 2016 University of North Dakota Grand Forks, ND 6–1
January 10, 2016 University of North Dakota Grand Forks, ND 1–0
February 13, 2016 Shattuck-St. Mary's School Faribault, MN 2–3

Players and personnel

Roster

As of December 30, 2020[35]

No. Nat Player Pos S/G Age Acquired Birthplace
14 United States Rose Alleva D R 32 2019 Red Wing, Minnesota
18 United States Stephanie Anderson F L 31 2019 St. Paul, Minnesota
22 United States Lynn Astrup D R 28 2020 Grand Forks, North Dakota
25 United States Lauren Barnes F R 32 2017 Burnsville, Minnesota
8 United States Amanda Boulier D R 31 2018 Watertown, Connecticut
5 United States Winny Brodt-Brown D L 46 2004 Roseville, Minnesota
4 United States Chelsey Brodt-Rosenthal D R 40–41 2006 Roseville, Minnesota
24 United States Corinne Buie F R 32 2020 Edina, Minnesota
88 United States Sara Bustad F R 29 2020 Stillwater, Minnesota
3 United States Jonna Curtis F R 30 2018 Coon Rapids, Minnesota
29 Canada Amanda Leveille G L 30 2018 Kingston, Ontario
20 United States Meghan Lorence F L 32 2019 Mounds View, Minnesota
19 United States Haley Mack F L 26 2020 East Grand Forks, Minnesota
11 United States Lisa Martinson D R 33 2017 St. Louis Park, Minnesota
31 United States Allie Morse G L 30 2017 Cottage Grove, Minnesota
15 United States Meaghan Pezon F R 36 2017 Eden Prairie, Minnesota
21 United States Audra Richards F R 30 2018 Maplewood, Minnesota
23 United States Nina Rogers F R 28 2019 Minnetonka, Minnesota
33 United States Maddie Rowe F R 26 2020 River Falls, Wisconsin
91 United States Haylea Schmid F R 34 2017 Oak Grove, Minnesota
7 United States Emma Stauber D L 31 2017 Duluth, Minnesota
9 United States Allie Thunstrom F R 36 2017 Maplewood, Minnesota
10 United States Brooke White-Lancette F L 43 2017 Berkeley, California

Notable former players

Player Position Hometown Years Notes
Caitlin Cahow Defense New Haven, Connecticut 2008–09 Team USA for 2006 and 2010 Winter Olympics; 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2011 IIHF Women's World Championship
Lisa Chesson Defense Plainfield, Illinois 2008–09 Team USA for 2010 Olympics; 2009, 2012, and 2013 IIHF Women's World Championship
Julie Chu Forward Bridgeport, Connecticut 2007–09 Team USA for 2002, 2006, 2010, and 2014 Winter Olympics; IIHF team from 2001 to 2013.
Natalie Darwitz Forward Eagan, Minnesota 2006–08 Team USA for 2002, 2006, and 2010 Winter Olympics; IIHF team from 1999 to 2009.
Molly Engstrom Defense Siren, Wisconsin 2008–09 Team USA for 2006 and 2010 Winter Olympics; IIHF team from 2004 to 2011
Manon Rhéaume Goaltender Beauport, Québec 2007–09 Team Canada for 1998 Winter Olympics; IIHF team in 1992 and 1994. Played for several men's professional minor league teams.
Angela Ruggiero Defense Simi Valley, California 2006–10 Team USA for 1998, 2002, 2006, and 2010 Winter Olympics; IIHF team from 1997 to 2011. Played for a men's professional minor league team, the Tulsa Oilers in 2005.
Karen Thatcher Forward Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania 2008–09 Team USA for 2010 Winter Olympics; IIHF team for 2008 and 2009
Jinelle Zaugg-Siergiej Forward Eagle River, Wisconsin 2008–09 Team USA for 2010 Winter Olympics; IIHF team in 2007

Awards and honors

  • Natalie Darwitz, Western Women's Hockey League Most Valuable Player (2006–07)[36]
  • 2008 Breaking Barriers Award:[37] Presented at National Girls and Women in Sports Day in St. Paul
  • 2009 Clarkson Cup Top role model: Julie Chu
  • 2009 Clarkson Cup Top defense: Caitlin Cahow
  • In March 2010, the Whitecaps became the first American team to win the Clarkson Cup
  • 2010 Clarkson Cup Most Valuable Player:Julie Chu
  • 2010 Clarkson Cup Final Player of the Game: Brooke White-Lancette
  • Jonna Curtis, 2019 NWHL Newcomer of the Year[38]

References

  1. ^ a b "Whitecaps Split Games Against NWHL Teams". Whitecaps. October 5, 2015.
  2. ^ "NWHL Expands to Minnesota". NWHL.Zone. May 15, 2018. Archived from the original on May 16, 2018. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
  3. ^ "Jr. Whitecaps". oshockey.com. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
  4. ^ Blount, Rachel (June 26, 2018). "Professional women's hockey coming to Minnesota: Whitecaps named NWHL expansion team". Star Tribune. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
  5. ^ Pat Borzi (January 26, 2007). "Women Pay for a Chance to Play". The New York Times.
  6. ^ a b "Montreal wins first Clarkson Cup". IIHF. Archived from the original on June 29, 2011.
  7. ^ a b c d "Minnesota Whitecaps clinch WWHL Championship". Whitecaps. February 8, 2010.
  8. ^ a b c "Minnesota wins Clarkson Cup". IIHF. Archived from the original on October 18, 2012.
  9. ^ Dan Robson (March 28, 2010). "Minnesota Whitecaps capture Clarkson Cup". CBC.ca. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
  10. ^ "Minnesota Whitecaps: Clarkson Cup Champions". puckworlds.com. June 17, 2010.
  11. ^ "Montreal opens Clarkson Cup with win". cbc.ca. March 24, 2011. Archived from the original on 2012-11-09. Retrieved 2012-01-07.
  12. ^ "Locals chase Cup dream". The Barrie Examiner. Archived from the original on July 22, 2011.
  13. ^ "Kirk powers Brampton past Minnesota at Clarkson Cup". tsn.ca. March 25, 2011. Archived from the original on 2012-10-20. Retrieved 2017-12-07.
  14. ^ "Chimos Part of Merger With CWHL". Edmonton Chimos. April 25, 2011. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011.
  15. ^ a b "Minnesota Whitecaps cry foul on exclusion from Canadian Women's Hockey League". The Huffington Post. November 18, 2011.
  16. ^ Andrew Baker (October 12, 2010). "Whitecaps have talent but lack cash". Mndaily.com.
  17. ^ "Whitecaps Double Number of College Games for 2016–2017 Season". Whitecaps. August 19, 2016.
  18. ^ "ROSTERS ANNOUNCED FOR 2018 NWHL ALL-STAR GAME". NWHL. January 22, 2018.
  19. ^ "Finally, NWHL lands Minnesota Whitecaps as its first expansion team". ESPN. May 16, 2018.
  20. ^ "Whitecaps to play their home games at Wild's practice rink". Star Tribune. June 26, 2018.
  21. ^ "Gold-medal winning Robb Stauber will coach Whitecaps". Twin Cities Pioneer Press. May 22, 2018.
  22. ^ "Whitecaps pick former Gophers star Ronda (Curtin) Engelhardt as co-coach with Jack Brodt". Star Tribune. July 12, 2018.
  23. ^ NWHL Staff (2018-08-21). "The New Crest of the Minnesota Whitecaps is Here!". NWHL.zone. Retrieved 2018-08-21.
  24. ^ "How the Minnesota Whitecaps are finding success in the NWHL". espnW. Retrieved 2019-01-30.
  25. ^ @NWHL (3 Mar 2019). "AND @WhitecapsHockey MAKES HISTORY!! Minnesota is the regular-season champion in their inaugural NWHL season!!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  26. ^ "2018-19 Season Sets New Highs for Attendance, Viewership, Merchandising and Engagement". NWHL.zone. March 28, 2019. Archived from the original on April 5, 2019. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
  27. ^ "Pegulas relinquish control of Buffalo Beauts". The Sports Network. May 8, 2019.
  28. ^ http://www.minnesotawhitecaps.com/news/2008-2009/
  29. ^ http://www.minnesotawhitecaps.com/news/2009-2010/
  30. ^ Randy Starkman (March 29, 2010). "Whitecaps swamp Thunder to win Clarkson Cup". The Toronto Star.
  31. ^ "Minnesota Duluth vs. Whitecaps". Archived from the original on July 17, 2011. Retrieved October 6, 2010.
  32. ^ "Golden Gophers vs. Whitecaps". Archived from the original on July 11, 2011. Retrieved October 12, 2010.
  33. ^ "Beavers vs. Whitecaps". Archived from the original on January 15, 2011. Retrieved February 23, 2011.
  34. ^ "Beavers vs. Whitecaps". Archived from the original on January 15, 2011. Retrieved February 23, 2011.
  35. ^ "NWHL Minnesota Whitecaps 2020-2021 Roster". Elite Prospects. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  36. ^ "Natalie Darwtiz profile". Archived from the original on January 17, 2010. Retrieved January 19, 2010.
  37. ^ "Breaking Barriers". whitecaps.nwhl.zone. April 18, 2008.
  38. ^ "Jonna Curtis Named Newcomer of the Year". NWHL.zone. March 21, 2019.
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