The 2024 PWHL Draft took place on Tuesday, with Princeton and Canadian national team forward Sarah Fillier going first overall to PWHL New York.
New York also added two defenders and a goaltender, as well as three forwards to make seven solid additions to next season's roster.
The first round of the 2024 PWHL Draft is complete!
— PWHL (@thepwhlofficial) June 10, 2024
The future is now. ⭐️ pic.twitter.com/RXFj6pzKZL
But it was first-ever PWHL champions Minnesota that created the most buzz, with the draft happening just three days after they announced the abrupt departure of general manager Natalie Darwitz following a league review.
With the 9th overall pick, PWHL Minnesota took Team USA forward Britta Curl. Fans immediately took to the internet to voice their concerns, citing Curl's social media activity. In the past, Curl had "liked" posts on X that targeted the LGBTQIA+ community, particularly transgender individuals. Her activity also showed support for Kyle Rittenhouse, the 17-year-old Wisconsin man who shot three unarmed people, two fatally, during a 2020 Black Lives Matter protest.
When asked about the pick — and whether or not he had consulted with any members of the LGBTQIA+ community prior to making the pick — PWHL Minnesota coach Ken Klee opted to defend Curl.
"Did I speak to anyone from the community? I talk with players, with coaches. That’s tough to answer for me," Klee said. "I spoke with a lot of different people. I mean, at the end of the day, I was told she’s a great teammate, a great person. She’s obviously a great player."
After Minnesota drafted Britta Curl, I asked Ken Klee if he spoke to anyone from the LGBTQ community before selecting her. Here’s his full answer transcribed.
— Karissa Donkin (@kdonk) June 12, 2024
(A few minutes earlier, he told @zoeclaire_ that he spoke to former coaches and USA players, who endorsed her.) pic.twitter.com/x4XfcqaUOD
The team also had PWHL Minnesota assistant coach Mira Jalosuo, who is married to a woman, announce the pick.
"We have people in that community and obviously Mira making that selection for us, I think that speaks volumes for us," Klee added. "We were just trying to pick the best players available. I wouldn’t want anything to take away from any of those players' experience. It’s unfortunate a little bit at the beginning, but again, it’s okay. People are entitled to their opinion."