| Minnesota Whitecaps | |
|---|---|
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| City | Richfield, Minnesota |
| League | Premier Hockey Federation (2018–2023) Western Women's Hockey League (2004–2011) |
| Founded | 2004 |
| Folded | 2023 |
| Home arena | Richfield Ice Arena[1] |
| Colors | Black, white, blue, silver |
| Owner(s) |
|
| General manager | Chi-Yin Tse[2] |
| Head coach | Ronda Engelhardt |
| Captain | Sydney Brodt[3] |
| Affiliate | Minnesota Wild (NHL) |
| Website | Official website  |
| Championships | |
| Clarkson Cup | 1 (2010) |
| Isobel Cup | 1 (2019) |
The Minnesota Whitecaps were a professional ice hockey team in the Premier Hockey Federation (PHF). They played in Richfield, Minnesota, part of the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metropolitan area, at the Richfield Ice Arena.[1] Established in 2004, the Whitecaps were originally part of the Western Women's Hockey League (WWHL) from 2004 to 2011.
Following the dissolution of the WWHL after the 2010–11 season, the team became independent. While independent, the Whitecaps' schedule consisted mostly of games against women's college 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 it was not an official member of that league.[4] On May 15, 2018, the NWHL announced that they had acquired the Whitecaps and that the team would officially join for the 2018–19 season.[5]
The Whitecaps are the only team to have won both a Clarkson Cup and an Isobel Cup championship. They won the Clarkson Cup in 2010 as a member of the WWHL and the Isobel Cup in 2019, their inaugural season in the NWHL.
The NWHL rebranded as the PHF in 2021.[6] In 2023, the PHF was purchased and ultimately shut down to make way for the creation of a unified women's professional league, the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL).[7] The Whitecaps were folded in the process. In August 2023, it was announced that Minnesota was awarded one of the six charter PWHL franchises.[8] PHWL Minnesota debuted in 2024.[9]
The Whitecaps also operated junior teams at the under-17 (U17) and under-19 (U19) levels.[10]
- ^ a b "Richfield Ice Arena Becomes New Home of PHF'S Minnesota Whitecaps". Premier Hockey Federation. July 29, 2022. Archived from the original on July 31, 2022. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
- ^ "Chi-Yin Tse Named General Manager of Minnesota Whitecaps". Premier Hockey Federation (Press release). August 21, 2022. Archived from the original on August 26, 2022. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
- ^ Ramey, Devin (November 3, 2022). "Whitecaps Are Excited to Announce the Team's Captain and Assistant Captains for the 2022-2023 Season". Premier Hockey Federation (Press release). Archived from the original on November 3, 2022. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
- ^ "Whitecaps Split Games Against NWHL Teams". National Women's Hockey League (Press release). October 5, 2015. Archived from the original on November 30, 2018. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
- ^ "NWHL Expands to Minnesota". National Women's Hockey League (Press release). May 15, 2018. Archived from the original on May 16, 2018. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
- ^ Wawrow, John (September 7, 2021). "NWHL Rebrands to 'Premier Hockey Federation' to Promote Inclusivity, Inspire Youth". WNBC. Archived from the original on October 20, 2021. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
- ^ Wyshynski, Greg (June 29, 2023). "Sources: Premier Hockey Federation sale could unite women's hockey". ESPN. Archived from the original on June 30, 2023. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
- ^ "PWHL unveils locations of first six teams, player selection process". Sportsnet. AP. August 29, 2023. Archived from the original on August 30, 2023. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
- ^ Blount, Rachel (January 3, 2024). "Minnesota wins 3-2 at Boston in its first PWHL game, starting new era in women's hockey". Star Tribune. Archived from the original on January 4, 2024. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
- ^ "Minnesota Jr. Whitecaps Program Description". Os Hockey Training. Archived from the original on May 17, 2018. Retrieved May 16, 2018.