University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Add Pair of Transfers to Bolster 2024-25 Roster
5/13/2024 2:00:00 PM | Women's Hockey
MINNEAPOLIS -- The Golden Gopher women's hockey team and head coach Brad Frost have announced the addition of two transfers -- Krista Parkkonen and Natálie Mlýnková -- ahead of the program's 28th season in 2024-25.Â
A 5-6 defender from Lappeenranta, Finland, Parkkonen will join the Gophers from Vermont, where she tallied 20 points (4g-16a) in 60 games over two seasons, earning All-Hockey East accolades as a sophomore. Prior to Vermont, she played for HIFK in Naisten Liiga, the premier women's ice hockey league in Finland. With HIFK, she recorded nine goals and 19 assists in 41 games.
Parkkonen also skated for the Finnish U18 team for four years (2017-20), helping them to a bronze medal in the 2019 U18 World Championships. In 2022, she made her debut with the Finnish National Team, scoring one goal and tallying one assist at the World Championships. At the 2023 World Championships, Parkkonen recorded three assists in seven games.
"Krista is a strong, smart, puck moving defender who sees the ice well and has a great shot," said Frost. "Krista was Second Team All-Hockey East and has vast International experience with Team Finland, most recently winning a bronze medal at the 2024 World Championships. Krista will bring a high level of consistency and reliability to our blueline. We are thrilled that Krista is now a Gopher."
Hailing from Zlin, Czech Republic, Mlýnková will join her fellow Catamount on the Gophers this season. The 5-3 forward played 104 career games at Vermont, posting 48 goals and 49 assists for 97 points. The 2024 Hockey East Player of the Year tallied 26 points on a league-best 15 goals and 11 assists in 27 league games as a senior. Prior to Vermont, Mlýnková spent three seasons with the HTI Stars in Ontario, scoring 43 goals with 33 assists for 76 points in her final year.
On the international stage, Mlýnková represented her home country in 71 games, including scoring one goal in the 2022 Olympics. She has participated in four Women's World Championships, helping the Czech Republic to bronze medals in both 2022 and 2023.Â
"Nat is a fast, skilled forward that has a great passion for the game and demands attention. She was the Hockey East Player of the year at Vermont and instantly provides another offensive threat to our lineup," said Frost. "Her experience at the International level in the last Olympics and World Championships with Team Czechia will prove to be very valuable for her and our team. We are really excited that she has chosen to become a Gopher."
Parkkonen and Mlýnková join seven incoming freshmen – Hannah Clark, Kendra Distad, Gracie Graham, Carly Humphrey, Kate Kosobud, Ayla Puppe and Chloe Primerano to make up the newest class of Gophers for the 2024-25 season.
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A 5-6 defender from Lappeenranta, Finland, Parkkonen will join the Gophers from Vermont, where she tallied 20 points (4g-16a) in 60 games over two seasons, earning All-Hockey East accolades as a sophomore. Prior to Vermont, she played for HIFK in Naisten Liiga, the premier women's ice hockey league in Finland. With HIFK, she recorded nine goals and 19 assists in 41 games.
Parkkonen also skated for the Finnish U18 team for four years (2017-20), helping them to a bronze medal in the 2019 U18 World Championships. In 2022, she made her debut with the Finnish National Team, scoring one goal and tallying one assist at the World Championships. At the 2023 World Championships, Parkkonen recorded three assists in seven games.
"Krista is a strong, smart, puck moving defender who sees the ice well and has a great shot," said Frost. "Krista was Second Team All-Hockey East and has vast International experience with Team Finland, most recently winning a bronze medal at the 2024 World Championships. Krista will bring a high level of consistency and reliability to our blueline. We are thrilled that Krista is now a Gopher."
Hailing from Zlin, Czech Republic, Mlýnková will join her fellow Catamount on the Gophers this season. The 5-3 forward played 104 career games at Vermont, posting 48 goals and 49 assists for 97 points. The 2024 Hockey East Player of the Year tallied 26 points on a league-best 15 goals and 11 assists in 27 league games as a senior. Prior to Vermont, Mlýnková spent three seasons with the HTI Stars in Ontario, scoring 43 goals with 33 assists for 76 points in her final year.
On the international stage, Mlýnková represented her home country in 71 games, including scoring one goal in the 2022 Olympics. She has participated in four Women's World Championships, helping the Czech Republic to bronze medals in both 2022 and 2023.Â
"Nat is a fast, skilled forward that has a great passion for the game and demands attention. She was the Hockey East Player of the year at Vermont and instantly provides another offensive threat to our lineup," said Frost. "Her experience at the International level in the last Olympics and World Championships with Team Czechia will prove to be very valuable for her and our team. We are really excited that she has chosen to become a Gopher."
Parkkonen and Mlýnková join seven incoming freshmen – Hannah Clark, Kendra Distad, Gracie Graham, Carly Humphrey, Kate Kosobud, Ayla Puppe and Chloe Primerano to make up the newest class of Gophers for the 2024-25 season.
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Ella Huber Drafted by Boston
Wednesday, June 25
Natalie Mlynkova Drafted by Montreal
Tuesday, June 24
Peyton Hemp Drafted by Ottawa
Tuesday, June 24
CHS Home Grown Gophers: Kendra Distad
Friday, May 16