Natalie Darwitz fired after Team Minnesota's PWHL Championship | What we know so far | Russo & Smith

Joe Smith lays out what we know about the shocking news that's surfaced around the PWHL's dismissal of Walter Cup Champion Team Minnesota GM Natalie Darwitz in an apparent power struggle with Head Coach Ken Klee as of Monday June 10, 2024 as covered on “Fellowship of the Rink” Episode 17.
Full article from Joe Smith & Michael Russo of The Athletic MN -- Inside Natalie Darwitz's ousting from PWHL Minnesota: Rift with the coach, players taking sides
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Natalie Darwitz fired after Team Minnesota's PWHL Championship | What we know so far | Russo & Smith
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[@Nikephorus]

There has been extensive discussion about this on the PHWL Discord and Subreddit. The general consensus is that it was Klee and Coyne versus Darwitz, with Klee and Coyne prevailing for some reason. Minnesota didn't perform well on draft night; perhaps part of the power struggle was about draft picks? Abby Boreen appeared shocked and unhappy when Montreal selected her. I think she was likely told that Minnesota would draft her, but that didn't happen. They drafted Curl, which sparked a lot of backlash.

[@thesotapod]

It’s a crazy story that we’ll unfortunately never get all the details on 😔

[@travzimmerman1340]

Hearing rumblings that the PWHL is an absolute shit-show mess of a league. Also hearing the players were not shocked she was gone.

[@HippieP629]

So of course none of the broadcasters said anything during the draft about it. It's a shame that there isn't more transparency about it all. I wonder if the league will look at club ownership like soccer, other hockey clubs around the world, etc in the future

[@richardlaub889]

It was a power struggle between Darwitz and Klee. Klee won because he had the backing of Coyne (The PWHL league darling) and they could not deny her and the power she wields. Darwitz was the right choice, Klee is a good coach but after the 2024 draft, not a great GM prospect. Minnesota finishes 4th at best but probably 5th in the 2025 season. Everyone got better except Minnesota. The new GM should trade Coyne and stop all the nonsense. No player should have that much power. Move her to a Canadian team. The only good thing to come of this is they will have a shot at Abbie Murphy in next years draft.

[@leecox6241]

I beg you pardon? Move her to a Canadian team? We have higher ethical standards and given her role in drafting Bitter Girl she has no hope in hell of being welcomed to a Canadian team! Now even Bitter Girl will face backlash when she is up here. Ironically, she has made herself a target to all who loathe what she holds dear. Beginning with the straights! She is in for a rough ride. It would behove Americans to realize winning at all costs never ends well. The game is supposed to be fun and full of camaraderie. Thanks Klee, you have ruined it for all of us. I have not decided yet if I will divest myself of my season’s tickets, but I will boycott all Minnesota games. When the league said hockey was all inclusive, that did not include an individual so full of hatred. She does not belong here.