The Minnesota Frost are a professional ice hockey team based in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It was founded as part of the six-team Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) and began play in January 2024. They quickly became successful, winning the inaugural Walter Cup championship the same year. The Frost plays their home games at the Xcel Energy Center and is known for its purple, black, and white colors.
The team was established in August 2023, with Natalie Darwitz appointed general manager and Charlie Burggraf as head coach. The Frost had a strong debut season, with Kendall Coyne Schofield named team captain. In their first game, they defeated PWHL Boston and later set a record for attendance at a professional women's hockey game in their home debut. Minnesota then went on to win the Walter Cup after a dramatic playoff run.
Who is Minnesota Frost's Head Coach in 2024?
According to StarTribune, Minnesota Frost's head coach in 2024 is Ken Klee. He is supported by assistant coaches Mira Jalosuo and Chris "Critter" Johnson.
Ken Klee is a former NHL defenseman and previously served as the coach of the U.S. women's national hockey team. Klee took on the role of head coach for the Frost during their inaugural season in 2023, guiding the team to the PWHL championship. He has expressed that his role is centered on leading the team on the ice, rather than handling player personnel decisions.
Klee was drafted 177th overall by the Washington Capitals in the 1990 NHL Draft but didn’t play for them until the 1994-95 season. After nine seasons, Klee became a free agent and signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs. In his first season in Toronto, he achieved career highs in assists (25) and points (29). Klee was later traded to the New Jersey Devils and signed with the Colorado Avalanche in 2006, leading the team with a plus/minus of 18. He later played for the Atlanta Thrashers, Anaheim Ducks, and Phoenix Coyotes before unofficially retiring.
Klee represented the United States in various international tournaments, including the 1991 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships and the 1992, 1997, and 2004 World Championships. As a coach, Klee led the U.S. Women's National Team to several successes, including a gold medal at the 2015 IIHF Women's World Championship. He also coached the U.S. Women's Under-22 Select Team, leading them to a perfect record in 2014. In 2017, Klee joined the Syracuse Crunch as an assistant coach. In 2023, became the head coach of PWHL Minnesota after Charlie Burggraf's departure.
Ken Klee's physical attributes
| Ken Klee | Physical Attributes |
| Age | April 24, 1971 (age 53) |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) |
| Weight | 210 lb (95 kg; 15 st 0 lb) |
Ken Klee age
Ken Klee was born on April 24, 1971, making him 53.
Ken Klee height
Ken Klee stands 6 feet tall (183 cm).
Ken Klee weight
Ken Klee weighs 210 pounds (95 kg).
Minnesota Frost General Manager
According to MinnPost, The Minnesota Frost's current General Manager is Melissa Caruso. She was hired in September 2024, following the dismissal of former GM Natalie Darwitz. Caruso has experience in the American Hockey League (AHL) and its operations and governance.
Caruso, a Massachusetts native, brings 15 years of experience in administration within the American Hockey League. She started in her role in November 2024, after Darwitz's departure following the team's championship win. Caruso's background is primarily in administration, as she did not play hockey and aims to work closely with Coach Ken Klee to build a successful team.
Minnesota Frost Captain
According to TeamUSA, Kendall Coyne Schofield is a forward and the captain for the Minnesota Frost in the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL). She has represented the U.S. in three Olympic Games, winning gold in 2018 and silver in 2022 and 2014.
She has earned multiple medals at the IIHF Women's World Championships and Four Nations Cups, with seven golds and several silver and bronze medals. She has also been a captain for various U.S. National Teams, including during the Rivalry Series and IIHF tournaments.
Before her professional career, Coyne Schofield had a remarkable college career at Northeastern University, where she became the Hockey East all-time leader in career points and goals. She won the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award in 2016 and was a finalist three times. Additionally, she played for the Minnesota Whitecaps in the NWHL and the Professional Women's Hockey Players Association (PWHPA).
Minnesota Frost Head Coaches year by year
According to CBS news, The Minnesota Frost experienced a coaching change just days before the 2024-25 season. Initially, Charlie Burggraf was set to lead the team but stepped down for personal reasons. Ken Klee, a former NHL defenseman with experience coaching the U.S. Women’s National Team to gold medals, replaced him as the head coach.
| Head Coach | Position |
| Charlie Burggraf | 2023 |
| Ken Klee | Dec 27, 2023 |
Minnesota Frost Managers 2024
This is a look at the managers in the Minnesota Frost team as per the PWHL official site:
| Manager | Position |
| Melissa Caruso | General manager |
| Mira Jalosuo | Assistant coach |
| Chris “Critter” Johnson | Assistant coach |
| Pete Samargia | Goalie coach |
| Nick Bryant | Team services manager |
Minnesota Frost Staff 2024
This is a look at the other staff in the Minnesota Frost team as per the PWHL official site -
| Staff | Position |
| Shannon MacAulay | Strength and conditioning coach |
| Andy Ness | Skills coach |
| John Schiavo | Skills coach |
| Blake Kruse | Assistant equipment manager |
FAQs on Minnesota Frost Head Coach
A. Ken Klee was born on April 24, 1971, in Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
A. Ken Klee is 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) tall.
A. Ken Klee weighs 210 lb (95 kg; 15 st 0 lb).
A. Ken Klee's playing career spanned from 1992 to 2009.
A. Ken Klee was an assistant coach for the Syracuse Crunch before Minnesota Frost.
