2018–19 Minnesota Whitecaps season


The 2018–19 Minnesota Whitecaps season was the first in franchise history as a member of the National Women's Hockey League, in which the team won the Isobel Cup during their inaugural year.

Background

On May 15, 2018, the NWHL announced that it had an agreement in principle to acquire ownership of the Whitecaps. The team is expected to join the NWHL as an expansion team for the 2018–19 season. The NWHL arranged with the Minnesota Wild to use TRIA Rink, the Wild's practice facility, as the site for Whitecaps home games. It was reported that the Whitecaps had hired 2018 Olympic gold medal-winning coach Robb Stauber and his wife Shivaun Stauber as coaches, sharing the head coaching responsibilities, but the parties never signed a contract. Whitecaps' founder and general manager Jack Brodt then returned to the coaching position he held prior to joining the NWHL and hired former University of Minnesota player Ronda Curtin Engelhardt as co-coach.
The NWHL unveiled a new logo for the Whitecaps on August 21, 2018. Created by M Style Marketing, the colors incorporate blue, while, silver and black.

Regular season

News and notes

Transactions

Signings

PlayerDatePrevious Team
Amanda LeveilleJune 18Buffalo Beauts
Hannah BrandtJune 20US Olympic Team
Lee SteckleinJune 20US Olympic Team
Kendall CoyneJuly 26US Olympic Team
Allie ThunstromAugust 1Re-signed with Whitecaps
Meghan PezonAugust 8Re-signed with Whitecaps
Amanda BoulierAugust 14, 2018Connecticut Whale
Jonna CurtisAugust 15New Hampshire Wildcats women's ice hockey
Brooke White-LancetteAugust 17Re-signed with Whitecaps
Sydney RossmanAugust 20Connecticut Whale
Lauren BarnesAugust 22, 2018MSU-Mankato women’s ice hockey
Julie FriendAugust 22, 2018DEC Salzburg Eagles
Sadie LundquistAugust 22, 2018Re-signed with Whitecaps
Amy MenkeAugust 22, 2018Djurgårdens IF
Emma StauberAugust 22, 2018HV-71

Awards and honors

Regular season

VEDA NWHL Player of the Week
VEDA NWHL Stars of the Week