Frozen Solid: Minnesota Frost Protect Pannek, Heise, and Rooney As Expansion Process Begins

Rebecca Labaj

The protected lists are officially here as the PWHL enters their second expansion, this time heading to Detroit, Hamilton, Las Vegas, and San Jose. Here’s a look at the Minnesota Frost protected players and players that will be available for the expansion teams. 

Kicking things off is Party Pannek, who signed a three-year extension with the Frost, coming off a historic season where she became the first player to reach 30 points in a single season, finishing first in the league for points and goals. 

Adding to the extensions was Taylor Heise, who also signed a three-year extension with the Frost. Since joining Minnesota in the inaugural year Heise has been a key part of the Frost’s lineup winning the inaugural Ilana Kloss Playoff MVP Award, also reaching the historic 30 points in a single season mark. 

Rounding out the Frost protections is goaltender Maddie Rooney, who is signed through the 2027-28 season. Rooney has continued to be instrumental on the backend alongside goalie partner Nicole Hensley who led the Frost to back-to-back titles in 2024 and 2025. The Frost’s biggest strength has lied in this goalie duo who have been interchangeable in the lineup while continuing to find success allowing for better recovery and rest. 

The Frost have a long-list of free agents, as with the rest of the league due to the uncertainty of expansion hindering long-term deals and security, giving players more freedom and choice in where they play. 

Unprotected Players Under Contract 

Britta Curl-Salemme still has two years left on her contract with the Frost, well Mae Batherson, Natalie Buchbinder, Kendall Cooper, Abby Hustler, Sidney Morin and Dominique Petrie all have one. 

With a lot of talent still in the open the Frost are looking to go relatively unscathed through Phase 2 after taking a heavy hit last year through expansion and free-agency that left them rebuilding. This season the existing teams are able to protect three additional players in Phase 3. So who would the Frost look to protect in Phase 3? 

Putting on my GM cap here Britta Curl-Salemme and Kendall Cooper would be at the top of my list. Curl-Salemme has continued to cement her place within the Frost’s core providing a physical presence on the ice. This season she led the league in assists and third overall in points behind teammates Taylor Heise and Kelly Pannek. Well Frost rookie Kendall Cooper quickly delivered on the backend, making game-winning saves with 22 blocks this season while contributing on the front end with 17 assists. 

As for a third there are lots of options with Sidney Morin who came alive in the playoffs, Natalie Buchbinder who was a key piece for the Frost’s backend, Abby Hustler who put up an incredible rookie season, Elizabeth Giguere who continued to create opportunities, and the list goes on. 

At this point it is hard to tell who will be available to be protected in Phase 3, with expansion teams being allowed to sign 5 players in Phase 2.