Taylor Heise is Minnesota’s first pick in PWHL draft

With the first overall pick in the inaugural PWHL draft, Minnesota’s team selected former Gophers center Taylor Heise on Monday in Toronto.

Heise, 23, was the 2022 Patty Kazmaier Award winner and led the NCAA scoring in each of her last two seasons with the Gophers.

The pick was not unexpected. A native of Lake City, Minn., Heise was a no-brainer for Minnesota general manager Natalie Darwitz, who spent the last two years as Heise’s position coach at her alma mater.

Currently training in Blaine with Team USA, Heise made her international debut last fall in the IIHF world championships and scored seven goals and 18 points as the U.S. won the silver medal. She was named the tournament’s top forward and most valuable player.

“It’s my home. Everyone I love is there. And it’s the State of Hockey,” Heise said on the CBC’s livestream. “I’m just honored that I’m going to be able to play an...