Today, PWHL Minnesota announced Head Coach Charlie Burggraf has stepped away from the team, citing family reasons.
“My family and I have decided that stepping away from the head coaching position at Team Minnesota is the right move for us at this time,” Burggraf said in the team’s press release. “I wish both the PWHL, and especially Team Minnesota, great success.”
The decision comes five days before the start of the inaugural PWHL season on January 1st, 2024. Minnesota kicks their inaugural season off on the road against Boston on Wednesday, January 3rd, 2024.
Former NHL defenseman Ken Klee has been named Minnesota’s new head coach.
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“The hockey energy in Minnesota is just fantastic, and I’m delighted to be part of it,” Klee said in Minnesota’s press release. “This position provides a terrific opportunity to coach outstanding players who represent the top level of professionalism, and to connect with a first-rate hockey community. I can’t wait to get started.”
Klee is also well known for coaching the US Women’s National Team to back-to-back World Championship titles in 2015 and 2016. He also spent two seasons as an assistant coach for the Syracuse Crunch of the American Hockey League from 2017-2019.
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