Gophers center Ella Huber made one point above all else during a recent conversation at the Athletes Village on the University of Minnesota campus. Having entered her name into the PWHL draft that will be held on Tuesday night in Ottawa, she would be thrilled to be selected by any of the eight teams.
Until the league came along two years ago, Huber was all but resigned to the fact that her playing days were winding down. So, she considers it “a blessing” to be able to continue to play after college — wherever that might be.
But should her name be called by one of two teams in particular, that blessing would be twofold.
Gophers forward Ella Huber, left, celebrates with teammates after a goal by Abbey Murphy (center) in Minnesota’s 3-2 NCAA regional victory over Colgate on March 15, 2025, at Ridder Arena (Brad Rempel / Gophers Athletics)
For starters, being selected by the Frost would have Huber playing in her adopted hometown. She grew up in the Chicago suburb of Northfield, but her parents, John and Margie, relocated to Excelsior two years ago.
“My dad went to Minnetonka High School, so he always wanted to come back,” Huber said. “He’s been bugging our family to get out of Chicago for a while, so he finally pulled the plug.”
Huber is projected to be selected in the first two rounds. The Frost have the sixth pick in the first round and are believed to be eyeing a defenseman with their first pick. But that could change depending on how the first five picks fall.
Playing for the Frost would reunite Huber with former Gophers teammates Taylor Heise and Grace Zumwinkle. Former Gophers Lee Stecklein and Kelly Pannek also are on the team, and Huber has leaned on them all in her quest to learn all she can about playing in the PWHL.
“They love it, they love the opportunity to play,” Huber said. “It’s fast and it’s physical, as you would expect from watching. It’s exciting to hear from them because it gives me a better outlook for what it’s going to be like. Even lifestyle-wise, and everything else.”
Huber also has ties to Toronto, in a relationship with former Gophers winger Matthew Knies, who plays for the Maple Leafs. Huber, who said she has been dating Knies since her freshman year at the U, has made frequent trips to Toronto the past two years. As for the possibility of playing for the Toronto Sceptres, she said, “I would love it.”
Gophers captains Ella Huber, left, and Nelli Laitinen celebrate with the NCAA regional championship trophy after beating Colgate, 3-2, in the first round of the NCAA tournament at on March 15, 2025, at Ridder Arena. (Brad Rempel / Gophers Athletics)
“I love the city; it’s a great atmosphere,” Huber added. “And I love how the Sceptres are right in the city, unlike a lot of the teams.”
Knies is a restricted free agent, so the possibility exists that he could sign an offer sheet with another team this summer. But signing a long-term deal with the Maple Leafs is the likely outcome.
Should Huber and Knies end up playing in different cities, Huber said they’ll manage just fine.
“We’ve done it the last two years,” she said. “We can do it again.”
Huber will attend the draft in Ottawa, where she will be joined by her parents and Knies. She said she has taken part in Zoom calls with most of the original six teams in the league. Her ability to play both ends of the ice has her rated among the top forwards available.
“I think I’m a versatile player that can play in a lot of scenarios,” said Huber, listed at 5-foot-6 on the Gophers’ roster. “Taking that 200-foot game there from college can be really helpful. And just using my speed, as well. That will be one of my positives.”
Huber has been training on campus with current and former Gophers with an eye on improving her strength.
“The physicality definitely increases,” she said of the pro game, “but (her former teammates) mentioned as well that playing in the WCHA is a good jump. So, I think that will be beneficial as well.”
It wasn’t that long ago that Huber, who has earned her undergraduate degree, thought she would be using this summer to find a job, most likely in the medical field. Instead, an appealing employment opportunity awaits.
Tuesday night she’ll find out where she’ll be reporting for work.
Briefly
Gophers forward Natalie Mylnkova also is expected to be selected in the first two rounds. The Czechia native has excelled on the international stage, has good speed and a good scoring touch.
Gophers forward Peyton Hemp also has entered the draft, as have five players from St. Thomas: Lauren Stenslie, Madison Clough, Alli Pahl, Nicole Vallario and Calla Frank.
PWHL Draft
First-round order, and why, in Tuesday’s PWHL draft, which starts at 6 p.m. CDT in Ottawa. It will be streamed live on the league’s YouTube channel:
1. New York Sirens (most draft order points in “Gold Plan”)
2. Boston Fleet (non-playoff team)
3. Toronto Sceptres (lowest-ranked playoff semifinalist)
4. Montréal Victoire (highest-ranked playoff semifinalist)
5. Ottawa Charge (PWHL finalist)
6. Minnesota Frost (PWHL champion)
7. PWHL Vancouver*
8. PWHL Seattle*
* Expansion teams will alternate positions for next five rounds.
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