TWIN CITIES, MN —The National Women's Hockey League (NWHL) has entered its first phase of expansion, and it's coming to the Land of 10,000 Lakes. The league, founded in 2015 with a mission of providing strong women role models, has extended its reach by expanding to the "great hockey state of Minnesota."

The NWHL has acquired the Minnesota Whitecaps, an independent franchise formed in 2004. Minnesota will become the league's fifth club, joining the Boston Pride, Buffalo Beauts, Connecticut Whale and Metropolitan Riveters, and start play in the 2018-19 NWHL season.

The league will announce the home rink of the Whitecaps at a later date. Most of the teams play at NHL practice rinks.

"We are ecstatic to welcome Minnesota to the NWHL," said League commissioner Dani Rylan in a news release. "Minnesota is an essential part of women's hockey in North America."

"I am so pleased to welcome Minnesota to the NWHL. Welcome, Whitecaps!" - Commissioner Dani Rylan pic.twitter.com/F33FolYudK

— NWHL (@NWHL) 15 May 2018 Like the Founding Four teams when the NWHL started in 2015, the Minnesota team will be owned initially by the league. Last season, Pegula Sports & Entertainment – the owners of the Buffalo Sabres, Bills and other local franchises – acquired the Beauts, while the New Jersey Devils formed a strategic alignment with the Riveters.



"I am thrilled to welcome the National Women's Hockey League to the State of Hockey," Gov. Mark Dayton said. "I am very proud of our Minnesota Whitecaps and the exceptionally talented Minnesotans who play for them."



We are so proud to have the Minnesota Whitecaps join the NWHL. We will work together to continue your legacy and advance the game. pic.twitter.com/kTyqcTxeNH

— NWHL (@NWHL) 15 May 2018

"The Whitecaps have done an excellent job of growing the game in the state of Minnesota and it's exciting to see how far this program has come," said U.S. gold medalist and Whitecaps forward Hannah Brandt. "On behalf of my teammates and everyone in the Whitecaps organization, I want to say that this is an incredible moment for women's hockey in Minnesota and we're truly excited to become a member club in the NWHL," said Winny Brodt Brown, the captain of the Whitecaps and a former member of the U.S. National Team.