University of Minnesota Athletics
Former Gophers Pannek and Stecklein Sign With Minnesota PWHL Franchise
9/6/2023 12:43:00 PM | Women's Hockey
MINNEAPOLIS – Two former Gophers have agreed to terms with Minnesota's Professional Women's Hockey League franchise, the team announced Wednesday.
Kelly Pannek and Lee Stecklein have signed three-year free agent contracts with Minnesota. The Gopher duo will reunite with their former assistant coach Natalie Darwitz, who serves as the general manager of the Minnesota franchise. Joining the former Gophers among the team's first signings is fellow Olympian Kendall Coyne Schofield, formerly of Northeastern University.
Pannek joins the newly-created league with an extensive international and collegiate resume, including winning the gold medal at the 2018 Winter Olympic Games with the U.S. Women's National Team in PyeongChang, South Korea. Pannek also earned gold medals at the 2018 Four Nations Cup and at the 2017 IIHF Women's World Championship.
During her time at the 'U' Pannek and the Gophers were 2015-16 NCAA National Champions, a season in which the Plymouth, Minn. native scored 23 goals and 26 assists.
Stecklein, an Olympic silver medalist, took home runner-up team honors at the 2014 Olympic Games while being the youngest member of Team USA. In other international competition, the Roseville, Minn. native has earned a gold medal with Team USA while competing at the Four Nations Cup in 2016, as well as three gold medals at the IIHF Championships in 2015, 2016 and 2017.
During her career with the Maroon and Gold, Stecklein helped the Gophers to a national championship in the 2014-15 season.
Kelly Pannek and Lee Stecklein have signed three-year free agent contracts with Minnesota. The Gopher duo will reunite with their former assistant coach Natalie Darwitz, who serves as the general manager of the Minnesota franchise. Joining the former Gophers among the team's first signings is fellow Olympian Kendall Coyne Schofield, formerly of Northeastern University.
Pannek joins the newly-created league with an extensive international and collegiate resume, including winning the gold medal at the 2018 Winter Olympic Games with the U.S. Women's National Team in PyeongChang, South Korea. Pannek also earned gold medals at the 2018 Four Nations Cup and at the 2017 IIHF Women's World Championship.
During her time at the 'U' Pannek and the Gophers were 2015-16 NCAA National Champions, a season in which the Plymouth, Minn. native scored 23 goals and 26 assists.
Stecklein, an Olympic silver medalist, took home runner-up team honors at the 2014 Olympic Games while being the youngest member of Team USA. In other international competition, the Roseville, Minn. native has earned a gold medal with Team USA while competing at the Four Nations Cup in 2016, as well as three gold medals at the IIHF Championships in 2015, 2016 and 2017.
During her career with the Maroon and Gold, Stecklein helped the Gophers to a national championship in the 2014-15 season.
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