The Minnesota Frost, fresh off their second consecutive Walter Cup victory, experienced some roster changes during the recent PWHL Expansion Draft. As PWHL Vancouver prepares for its inaugural season, they strategically selected players to build a competitive team, with the Frost feeling the impact. Two Frost forwards, Brooke McQuigge and Denisa Křížová, are heading to Vancouver, marking a significant shift for the Minnesota team.

The expansion draft, held on Monday, June 9, 2025, saw Vancouver General Manager Cara Gardner Morey making key decisions to shape her team. Vancouver won a lottery which gave them the opportunity to choose between the first overall pick, or the second and third overall picks. They chose to pick first overall. With their fourth overall pick, Vancouver selected Brooke McQuigge, a 25-year-old forward who had a strong season with the Frost, including a two-goal performance in the playoffs. Eight picks later, Vancouver again looked to Minnesota, selecting 30-year-old forward Denisa Křížová.

McQuigge's journey to the PWHL began after five seasons at Clarkson University. In her single season with Minnesota, she tallied eight goals and seven assists in 29 regular-season games, proving her offensive capabilities and value to the team. Křížová's connection to Minnesota hockey extends back to her time with the Minnesota Whitecaps in the Premier Hockey Federation (PHF) before the PWHL was established. She was drafted by PWHL Minnesota in 2023 and contributed to their consecutive Walter Cup wins.

While the Frost lose McQuigge and Křížová, they had previously lost defenders Sophie Jaques and Claire Thompson to Vancouver during the exclusive signing window. These two defenders were significant contributors to the Frost's success, holding the second- and fourth-highest point totals on the team last season, respectively. Jaques and Thompson were arguably a bigger loss for the Frost than McQuigge and Krizova.

The Frost were able to protect four players from being selected in the expansion draft: forwards Kendall Coyne Schofield, Taylor Heise, Britta Curl-Salemme, and defender Lee Stecklein. This strategic decision ensured that the core of their championship-winning team would remain intact. While losing players is never easy, Frost General Manager Melissa Caruso acknowledged the challenge, calling the week following their Walter Cup victory a "roller coaster" as they made decisions about which players to protect.

Vancouver's gains from the Frost highlight the expansion team's strategy of acquiring proven talent and experience. In addition to McQuigge and Křížová, Vancouver also signed defenders Claire Thompson and Sophie Jaques, indicating a clear focus on strengthening their defense and adding offensive firepower. The expansion draft and signing window are crucial steps in building competitive teams in Vancouver and Seattle, setting the stage for an exciting PWHL season. The moves made by Vancouver will undoubtedly impact the Frost as they look to continue their dominance in the league.