With PWHL teams allowed to protect only three players for next week’s expansion draft, it was inevitable that the new franchises from Seattle and Vancouver would get some great players.

But they won’t get Kendall Coyne Schofield, Taylor Heise or Lee Stecklein from the two-time defending Minnesota Frost.

Those three players are among the 18 players protected by the original six PWHL franchises, it was announced Tuesday.

Notably available from Minnesota are a large handful of top-tier players, most notably blue liner Sophie Jaques, who tied with Heise for second in team points this season after being acquired in 2024-2025.

Also unprotected: Forward Britta Curl-Salemme, who had nine goals and 15 points this season and scored both goals in a 2-1 overtime victory over Ottawa in the finals; top-line Michelle Cava (9-10—19); and goaltender Maddie Rooney, who was outstanding in the Frost’s 3-1 series victory over the Charge.

PROTECTED

PWHL Teams were allowed to protect up to three players for the June 9 expansion draft.

Boston Fleet: Aerin Frankel (G), Megan Keller (D), Alina Müller (F).

Minnesota Frost: Kendall Coyne Schofield (F), Taylor Heise (F), Lee Stecklein (D).

Montréal Victoire: Ann-Renée Desbiens (G), Marie-Philip Poulin (F), Laura Stacey (F).

New York Sirens: Sarah Fillier (F), Ella Shelton (D), Micah Zandee-Hart (D).

Ottawa Charge: Emily Clark (F), Gwyneth Philips (G), Ronja Savolainen (D).

Toronto Sceptres: Renata Fast (D), Blayre Turnbull (F), Daryl Watts (F).

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