Minnesota Frost Players Shine as Six Earn Spots on Olympic Roster

The Minnesota Frost have continued their dominance in women’s hockey by securing six spots on the U.S. Olympic team for the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics. This marks a significant achievement for the Frost, who won the first two Walter Cups in the Premier Hockey Federation League (PWHL), showcasing some of the best talent in the sport.

Among the selected athletes are Taylor Heise, Kelly Pannek, and Grace Zumwinkle, all of whom have made significant contributions to their team’s success. They are joined by forwards Kendall Coyne Schofield and Britta Curl-Salemme, along with defenseman Lee Stecklein. Additionally, Gophers graduate student Abbey Murphy will represent the U.S., while Nelli Laitinen will compete for Finland in her second Olympic appearance.

Heise, who hails from Long Lake, Minnesota, expressed her excitement about making her Olympic debut. After a disappointing near-miss for the 2022 team, where she was among the final cuts, Heise reflected on her journey. “It was one of the best things that ever happened to me,” she stated in a recent phone call. “I truly think I wasn’t ready. I had to find some growth and look inwards and get better.”

This past summer, Heise’s hard work paid off as she earned a spot on the U.S. team for the IIHF World Championships. There, she was named the tournament’s top forward after leading all players with 18 points. Her accomplishments have not gone unnoticed, as she also made history by becoming the first overall draft pick in PWHL history, helping the Frost secure championships in 2024 and 2025.

As the Olympics approach, Heise remains grounded. “It’s super cool, obviously. I’ve been surrounded for a long time by Olympians, and I haven’t been able to say that,” she mentioned from her hotel room in Ottawa, where she was preparing for a rematch against the Charge. “But it’s more than a month away. Right now, I’m just basking in it. It’s been hard work to get here, and it’s super special.”

On the other end of the experience spectrum, Lee Stecklein and Kendall Coyne Schofield will be competing in their fourth Olympic Games. Both players have previously secured gold medals, with Schofield achieving this feat during the PyeongChang Olympics in 2018. Kelly Pannek, meanwhile, will make her third Olympic appearance, having contributed to the U.S. silver medal victory in Beijing alongside Murphy and Zumwinkle.

In total, 16 players from the PWHL will represent the U.S. at the Olympics, highlighting the league’s growing influence in women’s hockey. The event is set to take place from February 6-22, 2026, in Milan and Cortina, Italy. During this time, the PWHL will pause its season, allowing its athletes to compete on the world stage.

Reflecting on her journey and the anticipation of the Olympics, Heise noted, “It’s funny because it’s kind of anticlimactic because I’ve been with USA Hockey for a while and felt I’ve been playing really well. But it’s been a fun experience. Four years is a long time to wait.” As excitement builds for the Games, the Frost players are poised to make their mark in history.