MANKATO, Minn. – Minnesota State women's hockey proudly celebrated the achievements of five alumni as Charlotte Akervik, Brooke Bryant, Claire Butorac, Jess Kondas and Anna Wilgren signed one-year contracts with teams in the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) over the weekend.

The PWHL, a newly established league, features six franchises—three in the United States (Boston, Minnesota and New York) and three in Canada (Montreal, Toronto and Ottawa). Akervik, Bryant, and Butorac will suit up for the Minnesota Frost, while Kondas joins Toronto, and Wilgren heads to Montreal.

"It's exciting to see our Maverick hockey alums making rosters in the PWHL," head coach Shari Dickerman said. "We are looking forward to following along with their success this season and hope to see more of them hoist the Walter Cup!"

A Look at Their Maverick Legacies
Akervik left her mark as a Maverick defenseman, appearing in 153 games and tallying 22 goals and 35 assists for 57 points. She finished her collegiate career as MSU's all-time leading scorer among defensemen and ranked 21st overall in career scoring.

A four-time WCHA All-Academic Team honoree, Bryant set a personal best in the 2022-23 season with 20 points, recording seven goals and 13 assists in 36 games. During her previous PWHL experience, she appeared in 22 games, contributing one goal for her team.

Butorac, a former Maverick captain, played in 153 games, tying for fourth all-time in games played at MSU. She collected 21 goals and 35 assists for 56 points. In her time with the PWHL, Butorac played 21 games, scoring one goal and earning two assists.

Kondas shined during the 2021-22 season, posting a career-high 19 points with four goals and 15 assists. While on Toronto's roster last year, Kondas did not see game action, but she looks to make an impact this season.

Wilgren played three games during the 2022-23 season at MSU, notching one goal. She aims to bring her talents to Montreal in the upcoming PWHL season. She was apart of the Mavericks for five years and and served as a team captain as a sophomore and was a team-captain her junior, senior and fifth-year as a Maverick. During her 91 career games in the purple and gold, Wilgren scored 12 goals and assisted on 30 for 42 career points, recording four power play goals and five game winners. 

What's Ahead in the PWHL Season
The Minnesota Frost open their season on December 1st, hosting the New York Sirens. Toronto faces Boston on November 30th, while Montreal takes on Ottawa the same day.

These five former Mavericks are poised to bring their collegiate experiences and talents to the professional stage, further elevating the reputation of Minnesota State women's hockey. Fans and alumni alike will undoubtedly be cheering them on as they embark on this exciting new chapter.