Perched high in the stands at TRIA Rink in downtown St. Paul as she watched Minnesota’s entry in the newly formed Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) go through a recent practice in preparation for its inaugural game on January 3, Natalie Darwitz admitted to suffering a little on-ice envy.

Thrilled to be chosen to serve as Minnesota’s general manager in the six-team league on the strength of her own illustrious career that included two NCAA championships at the U, three Olympic medals and successful coaching stints on the college and high school level, she willingly has traded her stick and skates for a desk and cellphone.

But as she watches the likes of former Gophers star Taylor Heise get a chance to earn a living playing the game professionally, it serves as a constant reminder of how Darwitz and her
contemporaries were not afforded the same opportunity.

It’s part of what motivated her to accept the position, and the responsibility that goes with trying to establish a lucrative and successful professional league for women.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to be a part of it,” the 40-year-old Darwitz said. “I can push it forward, I can grow the game. But there is a big chunk of me — just thinking back to the Chrissy Wendells, the Curtin sisters, the Brodts, how much we all would have relished in this.”

The team, which will play without a nickname this season (as will the other five teams), will play its games at Xcel Energy Center. Darwitz said she her goal is to provide the players with the best experience possible on and off the ice. She’s confident that the league leadership has the same commitment.

To wit, Darwitz said she went through an intense interview process before being offered the job, which she felt added credibility to the league’s search.

“I had to create a PowerPoint presentation with a 30-day, 60-day, 90-day, 120-day plan,” Darwitz said. “The funny thing was, they asked me to present it within 24 hours. The stress and the anxiety of it just made me more excited.”

Prior to getting the job, Darwitz had agreed to become co-head coach for the girls hockey team at Hill-Murray. She had left her role as associate head coach at the U after last season in part, she said, because she wanted to spend more time at home with her two young boys, and also due to philosophical differences with head coach Brad Frost.

“This just didn’t feel like an opportunity that I could pass up,” Darwitz said. “That’s No.1. No. 2, I could have a good influence on pushing the needle forward for women’s hockey and women’s professional sports.

“I just felt like that was my calling.”

Darwitz said her six seasons as the women’s coach a Hamline provided her with invaluable experience that will aid her in her role as general manager.

“At Hamline we wore many, many hats,” she said. “At the U, you have someone in marketing, you have someone in equipment, you have someone to do meals. At Hamline it was all me. You had recruiting, you had travel.

“So that experience has made me feel good about stepping into this role.”

Darwitz said she also has a small group of close confidants she will rely on for support and to serve as a sounding board as she navigates her way through new territory.

“I don’t think there’s been a handbook for it,” Darwitz said of the job. “I think it’s been a crash course — learn as you go. The hockey side I’m really confident in; that’s my wheelhouse. It’s been the other aspects — the admin stuff; policies, procedures.

“And things are changing daily with the league. It’s not like this is something that has been established. Everyone is learning at the same time. Every day brings a new opportunity and a new challenge. I didn’t necessarily think that was the way it was going to go, but it invigorates you.”

As for the product on the ice, there are 14 Minnesotans on a team that will play in the image of its general manager.

“We drafted a fast, skilled team,” Darwitz said. “They’re just a skilled, high hockey IQ group. I think they are at their best when they are allowed to be creative.

“The notion is, from the blue line down, be on the same page. From the blue line forward, you should be creative. If the other team knows what you are going to do in the offensive zone, you’re not playing the game the right way. You haves to be deceptive.”

Darwitz is hopeful that the team can come close to filling the lower bowl at Xcel, which seats 9,000, for its 12 home games. That hope is based on her belief that “The State of Hockey” will recognize the importance of the league being successful in continuing growth of the women’s game, and offer its support.

Darwitz finds herself in the unique position of being a big part of the past for women’s hockey and having a key role in shaping its future. Just as her own playing days remain close to mind, so, too, do those she shared the ride with.

“My goal is to get Winny and Jack Brodt, who started the (Minnesota) Whitecaps, out here to pay homage,” Darwitz said. “Maybe get Winny out here to run a few practices or talk to the
players. Her and her dad (Jack) started this thing (in Minnesota).

“So things like that are on our radar. Year 1 happened so fast, but as we evolve and I can breath a little bit more, those are the type of things I want to do.”

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