ST PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota's new women's professional team now has a new home and a date for its inaugural home opener.
The Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) announced Tuesday that Minnesota will play home games at the Xcel Energy Center and the team's home opener is set for Saturday, Jan. 6 at 2:30 p.m. (CST) against the Montreal franchise.
The PWHL announced the home openers for all six franchises with the season-opener set for New Year's Day in Toronto.
The league is bringing together the top women's players in the world and will have yet-to-be-named teams based in Boston, New York, Minnesota, Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa. Three-time U.S. Olympian and Eagan native Natalie Darwitz will oversee Minnesota's team, which will feature a handful of players from the State of Hockey, including former University of Minnesota standout Taylor Heise.
"We are thrilled to call Xcel Energy Center our home for our inaugural season," Natalie Darwitz, PWHL Minnesota General Manager said in Tuesday's news release. "Xcel Energy Center is a premier venue which has the amenities to provide our players and our fans with a first-rate game experience. The enthusiasm and excitement our players and fans will bring to Xcel Energy Center will guarantee our team having a home-ice advantage!"
PWHL-Minnesota will be the opponent in Boston's home opener on Wednesday, Jan. 3, at 6:00 p.m. (CST) at the Tsongas Center in Lowell, Massachusetts.
The full season PWHL schedule is expected to be announced in the "coming days."
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