Taylor Heise Lengthens the Frost's Competive Window

Taylor Heise made PWHL history as the first draft pick in the inaugural season and has delivered for the Minnesota Frost. While some players like Hilary Knight had already signed, Minnesota had the first draft pick and chose Heise over former Olympians like Jocelyne Larocque. The Frost were forthcoming that they selected a player who would be part of their present and future. 

The Minnesota-born forward had the credentials to be a franchise player. Heise got her start at Red Wing High School before playing 5 seasons for the University of Minnesota Gophers. As a freshman, she was on the WCHA all-rookie team and earned the Patty Kazmaier Award in 2022. She also earned WCHA Player of the Year and Forward of the Year. Heise has gone to the IIHF World’s Women’s Championship 3 times, bringing home a gold and 2 silvers. 

Heise played 19 games in the PWHL’s inaugural season, missing 5 due to an injury. However, she still scored 4 goals and 9 assists. She has 4 goals and 8 assists in 13 games this year. At 24, Heise has played less than 2 full seasons at the professional level and hasn't had the same development time as other top players.

Minnesota coaching staff met with Heise, who has had trouble scoring this season despite 8 assists. The meeting worked. She scored 2 goals against the Boston Fleet on Sunday, helping Minnesota win 5-2. To turn around and get 2 goals in an uncharacteristically low-scoring season highlights that she’s coachable and eager to find the back of the net again. Heise is second in points for the Frost after Olympian Kendall Coyne Schofield, who has 14. 

Heise’s goals also highlight the strength and precision of her shooting ability. She put Minnesota on the scoreboard with 8:56 left in the first period. Michaela Cava walked the puck in across the blue line with a fake, and Heise stayed in the high slot to receive the pass. Heise held on to the puck for a beat to find her opening and then threaded the puck through 4 players and a goalie by going right top shelf. 

Heise demonstrated her hockey sense by holding on to the puck for that extra moment to find her opening. It’s difficult to have that patience in the moment and the confidence you have that time and won’t lose the puck.

Later, Heise repeated her move by scoring with 7:17 left in the second period. The Minnesota forward stayed in the high slot, received a pass from below the goal line, and shot top right again.

Heise has room to grow as a player, but her weaknesses are resolvable. Every player has room for improvement, but certain skills are significantly more challenging to improve on than others. Hockey sense isn't going to change drastically. However, players can spend every day shooting pucks and experience real improvement. 

Heise’s weakness is her physicality. The Minnesota native stands at 5’10”, which means she’s taller than most of her teammates and opponents. However, she doesn’t use that to her advantage. When she’s in a battle along the boards, she comes away with the puck less than she should and gets pinned a little too often. Part of winning battles is quickly finding the puck and making a play in a tight area. However, sheer size can help players push between their opponent and the puck. 

She will play physically but is still learning to use her size. Here, she attempts to check the puck carrier, Boston’s Hilary Knight, but falls instead. 

Knight only has an inch and a few pounds on Heise, but her strength and balance make her a difficult target. Heise has the right intention but doesn’t skate with enough speed or come at the right angle to lay Knight out. Heise only weighs 168 lbs., so she has room to bulk up, which could have helped her here. However, extra weight may come at the expense of speed for any player. 

Some PWHL players don’t fully take advantage of the ability to check opponents. Many players have 0 registered hits, while Emma Maltais of the Toronto Sceptres has 30 over her 12 games this season. By establishing herself physically, Heise would become harder to play against. She averages 0.5 hits per game, with 7 total, so she’s incorporating checking into her game. However, she needs to emphasize it more. 

Heise is proficient in the faceoff dot. She’s taken 193 faceoffs and is 6th in the league with a 49.2% win percentage. She makes smart plays, like getting the puck deep and going for a change. However, she also has the confidence to carry the puck and drive through multiple opponents. 

Heise has proven her ability to produce and step up when necessary. She also has room to grow in terms of physicality but is still fighting to make an impact for the Frost. Heise has been an integral player to Minnesota this season and last and will open a large competitive window for them if she stays on this trajectory.