The Minnesota Frost closed out the 2025‑26 season with a 13‑3‑5‑9 record, placing third in the Professional Women’s Hockey League and posting a plus‑18 goal differential. The team’s performance marked a continuation of offensive dominance, as they topped the league in scoring for the second straight year with 91 goals in 30 games.
Offensive firepower
Leading that attack was forward Kelly Pannek, who shattered the PWHL regular‑season scoring record with 33 points, a milestone that also earned her nominations for league MVP and forward of the year. Joining her in the spotlight were Taylor Heise, Grace Zumwinkle, and Kendall Coyne Schofield, each contributing multiple multi‑point games that kept the Frost’s attack humming.
Playoff pressure and a narrow defeat
A late‑season skid dropped the Frost into a four‑game losing streak before the postseason, but the club rallied to win the opening overtime game of the series against the eventual champions, the Montréal Victoire. Heise, Zumwinkle, Klára Hymlárová and Pannek each recorded two points in that 5‑4 victory, yet the Victoire ultimately prevailed 3‑2, delivering the Frost’s first-ever playoff series loss.
Roster changes and the draft
The offseason brought significant movement, as the expansion process triggered departures of key contributors including Britta Curl‑Salemme, Kendall Cooper, Mae Batherson and Nicole Hensley. At the PWHL Entry Draft the Frost began rebuilding, selecting three forwards, two defenders and a goaltender, highlighted by first‑round pick Sara Swiderski, an Ohio State blueliner from Langley, British Columbia. General manager Melissa Caruso expressed confidence that the new class would add depth and future impact to the club.
While the series loss stung, Heise said the experience will fuel the team’s drive heading into next season, and the organization remains focused on leveraging its strong offensive foundation and fresh talent to contend for the championship.