Gopher women’s hockey duo discusses being drafted by hometown Whitecaps
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As recently as six years ago, it wasn’t even a possibility. Thanks to the growth of the National Women’s Hockey League and it’s expansion to Minnesota – two former Gophers won’t have to go far to begin their pro career.
The Whitecaps recently drafted Gophers senior forward Alex Woken in the first round of the NWHL Draft, then selected Gophers senior defender Patti Marshall in the second round.
Click the video box on this page to watch extended interviews with Alex Woken, Patti Marshall and Brad Frost about the duo’s selection by the Whitecaps, realizing the dream of pro hockey and the ongoing significance of the NWHL to women’s hockey nationwide
The two Class of ’21 U of M grads join a Whitecaps roster laden with former Gophers.
The Whitecaps drafted exclusively from the Women’s WCHA in the 2020 draft taking Minnetonka-grad and Wisconsin Badger Presley Norby in the third round, Haley Mack from Bemidji State in the fourth and another Wisconsin Badger – Maddie Rowe – in round five.
Graphics touting Minnesota Whitecaps draftees and former Minnesota Gophers Alex Woken and Patti Marshall following their selections in the 2020 NWHL Entry Draft[Twitter.com/NWHL]
Before the NWHL, the only post-collegiate options for women’s hockey players in the U.S. was hoping to be included on United States national teams that competed in sporadic tournaments around the world.
The NWHL formed in 2015, adding the Whitecaps in the 2018-19 season – a season which saw the expansion club go on to claim the Isobel Cup as league champions.
Minnesota Whitecaps 2020 Draftees:
- Rd 1 (5th overall pick): Alex Woken, Minnesota
- Rd 2 (11): Patti Marshall, Minnesota
- Rd 3 (17): Presley Norby, Wisconsin
- Rd 4 (23): Haley Mack, Bemidji State
- Rd 5 (28) Maddie Rowe, Wisconsin