Published September 18, 2023, 1:44 p.m. ET
Updated September 18, 2023, 1:48 p.m. ET
U.S. forward Taylor Heise (27) skates toward the puck during the third period of the IIHF Women’s Ice Hockey World Championship against the Czech Republic in Brampton, Ontario, on Sunday, April 9, 2023. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov)
TORONTO – Minnesota selected forward Taylor Heise with the first overall pick in the inaugural Professional Women’s Hockey League draft.
Tennis legend Billie Jean King, an investor in the league, made the announcement.
Toronto selected veteran Canadian defender Jocelyne Larocque of Ste-Anne, Man., with the second pick.
Heise, of Lake City, Minn., is in her fifth and final year at the University of Minnesota, where she was a first-team All-American after leading the NCAA in goals (30).
In 39 games for the Gophers, she was second in points (67) and third in assists (37).
The 23-year-old capped a successful career that included winning the Patty Kazmaier Award in 2022 as the best player in NCAA Division I women’s hockey.
The 1.70 meter tall and 70 kilogram heavy Heise also played for the US national team.
On her debut with the senior national team, Heise was named the best striker and tournament MVP at the 2022 World Cup. She led all players in goals (seven) and points (18) and was tied in assists (11).
She continued that at this year’s World Championships, finishing first in assists (11) and fourth in points (12) while helping the Americans win gold in April in Brampton, Ontario.
The club already boasts star U.S. national team forward Kendall Coyne Schofield, forward Kelly Pannek and blue-liner Lee Stecklein, all of whom were signed during free agency.
Toronto signed Canadian forwards Sarah Nurse and Blayre Turnbull and defender Renata Fast in free agency.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 18, 2023.
“Coffeeaholic. Lifelong alcohol fanatic. Typical travel expert. Prone to fits of apathy. Internet trailblazer.”