When the PWHL dismissed Natalie Darwitz as part of an ouster from Minnesota head coach Ken Klee and captain Kendall Coyne Schofield, it opened the door for a new face to join the league.
Whomever takes over will have a daunting task ahead, not from a roster building perspective, as most of that work is now already done, but from a community re-building, and in managing a group that has shown a head coach, assistant coach, goalie coach, skills coach, and general manager the door in a matter of months. The control within Minnesota's roster goes far beyond this reach , and for any general manager looking to take over, the first question will be...what are they actually allowed to do in Minnesota?
There are a plethora of incredible candidates on the market, although the likely best candidate for the job was the individual who the league fired without a stated cause after building a championship team and weeks later hearing her name called for a Hockey Hall of Fame induction in Natalie Darwitz.
Many of the top candidates who were on the market over the last several seasons have been scooped up as assistant general managers or other high level roles in the NHL including Cammi Granato, Meghan Duggan, Kate Madigan, Hayley Wickenheiser, Meghan Hunter, Karilyn Pilch, and Emilie Castonguay.
Here's a look at some of the candidates the PWHL could target to replace Darwitz.
1. Hayley Moore - Moore is atop the list, because the PWHL already reportedly offered her a general manager role for the inaugural season. According to league sources, Moore was offered the New York job but turned it down to remain the American Hockey League's Vice President of Hockey Operations. Could a year of seeing the success the league lure Moore away from her role? She has experience as a general manager holding the role with the PHF's Boston Pride in their inaugural season, and served as the NWHL's Deputy Commissioner. A Brown University alumni, Moore has the experience and industry connections. But will she want the job?
2. Angela Ruggiero - There's only one way to replace the clout lost by firing a Hockey Hall of Famer who built a championship team, and that's perhaps by hiring another Hall of Famer. Angela Ruggiero has played men’s and women’s professional hockey, and has Olympic and World Championship gold to her name. Off the ice, Ruggiero's connection to the state could be a draw as she has a master’s in sport management from the University of Minnesota and is a graduate of Harvard Business School. She is the founder and CEO of Sports Innovation Lab, and has served as an International Olympic Committee Board Member. She was also integral in Los Angeles’ successful bid for the 2028 Olympic Games. They're building credentials that could make her a viable candidate for the job.
3. Katie Million - Two can play at this game. If Gina Kingsbury can be a successful general manager in the PWHL with Toronto, Katie Million, who is director of women’s national team programs for USA Hockey and General Manager of the U.S. Women's National Team programs can hold the same role. We've seen how this has worked in Toronto with several Team Canada members playing for the team, and hopefuls looking to the team as well. Million could create a similar impact in Minnesota.
4. Noelle Needham - Another individual with Minnesota connections, Needham played NCAA Division I hockey at Minnesota State. She was hired by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2018 as an amateur scout, and has served as assistant general manager of the United States Hockey League’s Chicago Steel. It's a powerhouse program that is run professionally. Needham, 38, could be an individual without any ties members of PWHL Minnesota who could bring an outside and unbiased voice.
5. Theresa Feaster - Feaster has explicitly stated she aspires to be a general manager. Currently, she is the director of hockey operations for the NCAA’s Providence College. Feaster is also a graduate of Providence and was a video coach for Team USA’s U-20 team.
6. Toni Will - Currently the general manager for the ECHL's Kalamazoo Wings, Will has the experience and hockey knowledge to do this job well. Will has been vital in not only growing Kalamazoo's on ice product, but in fostering one of the best atmosphere's for fans and players in North American hockey. Kalamazoo is always ahead of the game in terms of respect and equity, and those are assets Minnesota is in desperate need of given the offseason they've had. Will has built a thriving hockey community in Kalamazoo, and replicating that success in Minnesota could help them pull this organization out of the tailspin it's in.
7. Kim Martin Hasson - There are other Swedish candidates like Erika Grahm, who could be excellent for this job, but staying with Minnesota connections, Kim Martin Hasson played NCAA hockey for Minnesota-Duluth, and has the knowledge of European stars having served as general manager for Linkoping in the SDHL since 2015. Considering Minnesota also fired their goaltending coach, this could be a combination hire for the team.
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