Curl and Hymlárová ink two-year Standard Player Agreements
St. Paul, MN (June 21, 2024) – PWHL Minnesota announced today that the team has signed 2024 PWHL Draft picks Britta Curl and Klára Hymlárová to two-year Standard Player Agreements beginning with the 2024-25 Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) season.
Selected in the second round of the 2024 PWHL Draft, ninth overall, Curl played five seasons at the University of Wisconsin, finishing with 179 points (86G, 93A) in 181 games as a member of three NCAA Championship teams. The 24-year-old has also appeared in three IIHF Women’s World Championship tournaments with Team USA, winning a gold medal in 2023 and silver medals in 2021 and 2024. Curl attended St. Mary’s High School in her hometown of Bismark, N.D. and played for the Bismark Blizzard, winning four North Dakota State Championships.
“We are excited to get Britta Curl under contract for the next two seasons,” said Head Coach Ken Klee. “She is an outstanding young player with all of the tools to be an impact player in this league for a long time.”
Curl captained the Badgers during the 2022-23 National Championship campaign and served as an Alternate Captain in 2020-2021. She took a redshirt season in 2021-2022 while she competed with Team USA. Curl is the third Badger to be drafted by Minnesota following Natalie Buchbinder (7th Rd) and Sophia Kunin (10th Rd) selected by the team in 2023.
“It was such an honor to be drafted and signed by PWHL Minnesota,” said Curl. “I’m excited to start my professional career in the State of Hockey and help maintain the championship standard of this organization.”
A native of Opava, Czechia, Hymlárová was selected in the third round of the 2024 PWHL Draft, 15th overall, following a five-year NCAA career with the St. Cloud State (MN) Huskies. During her tenure in The Granite City, Hymlárová played in 142 collegiate games – tallying 89 points on 36 goals and 53 assists. A two-position player (forward and defense), Hymlárová has represented Czechia in the 2022 Olympics and seven IIHF Women’s World Championship tournaments (including 2024), earning bronze medals in 2022 and 2023.
“We are excited to add Klára to our group,” said Klee. “She is a versatile player who can fit many different roles for us which is vital. She also is a fierce competitor who brings valuable international experience.”
Hymlárová served as an Assistant Captain for St. Cloud State during her senior and fifth-year seasons and becomes the first Husky skater to be selected in the PWHL Draft.
“I am beyond excited to officially be part of this great organization, and I am truly grateful for the opportunity to represent the team and the State of Hockey,” said Hymlárová. “After spending five seasons at St. Cloud State, Minnesota holds a special place in my heart, and I am thrilled to continue to be a part of our rich hockey tradition!”
Curl and Hymlárová are the first members of PWHL Minnesota’s 2024 draft class to sign with the team. Per the Players Association, salary terms of contracts will not be disclosed.
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