Ken Klee, a former NHL defenseman, took an unexpected detour from a planned Costa Rican getaway to the frosty terrain of Minnesota, taking the coaching reins of the state's Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) team just in the nick of time, after a surprise departure by the previous coach, as reported by CBS News Minnesota. The holiday season may have ended, but Klee's spirits were high as he shopped for home essentials, chuckling at the thought of his family soaking up the sun while he geared up to coach in front of nearly 14,000 hockey enthusiasts.
Despite having been traded twice throughout his illustrious 14-year NHL tenure, Klee admittedly finds satisfaction in his latest swap; from beachside lounging to pacing behind the bench, where he recently witnessed Minnesota set a new attendance record for a women's pro hockey game. In a statement obtained by CBS News Minnesota, Klee mused, "They're all down there having a blast, and I'm getting to coach in front of almost 14,000 fans, so, I think both of us are pretty happy with it."
Reflecting on the journey from prepping for a tropical retreat to shopping at Target for "linens, paper towels, and cups, and a coffee mug, and something to eat like a frozen pizza," Klee expressed amusement over his change in plans, according to a report by the Associated Press. Indeed, the fans turned out in record numbers for the Minnesota franchise's home opener.
The momentum for the league continues as Klee, who previously led the U.S. national women's team to gold medals in the 2015 and 2016 world championships, revels in the competitive environment of the PWHL. "It's more fun, it's better hockey, nobody gets up for a 13-1 game," Klee told CBS News Minnesota, adding, "I wouldn’t be doing it if it was (lopsided), I can tell you that."
Aside from coaching triumphs, player Grace Zumwinkle is stealing the spotlight with a league-leading four goals, two game-winners, and the PWHL's first-ever hat trick, as per CBS News Minnesota's coverage. Zumwinkle's bounce back comes after a brief setback, missing the 2022 U.S. team for the world championships, but her eyes are now trained on representing the nation at this year's worlds in Utica, New York. "I definitely re-hit the drawing board," she said.
With a total fan count of 30,335 across five games so far, the PWHL is proving that it's serious about making a mark in the world of professional women's hockey. From Toronto's kickoff sellout to New York's smallest crowd, the league's executive Stan Kasten acknowledged the thrilling response, stating, "It's been an emotional experience. our responsibility now is to keep those people smiling and delighted with our game and our league. We are only at the start of building a very special community," as he told CBS News Minnesota.
