In a surprising turn of events, Natalie Darwitz, the general manager of PWHL Minnesota, has left her position, a league source confirms. Darwitz's departure comes after reported clashes with coach Ken Klee, who will now assume the role of acting GM. The team's captain, Kendall Coyne Schofield, and other veterans are said to support Klee.

No official statements have been made by Darwitz or the league regarding her departure, which comes just nine days after PWHL Minnesota's triumph as the inaugural champions of the Walter Cup championship.

Darwitz, a highly decorated former player and a respected figure in Minnesota hockey, had played a vital role in the team's success. As a three-time Olympic medalist and member of the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame and the International Ice Hockey Hall of Fame, she built the Minnesota team from scratch and led them to victory in the championship series against Boston.

Coach Ken Klee, who was hired in December following the departure of Darwitz's choice for head coach, Charlie Burggraf, will now take charge as both coach and acting GM. Klee, a former NHL defenseman with over 900 games under his belt, had previous experience coaching U.S. women's teams at various international competitions.

The news of Darwitz's departure has stunned the Minnesota hockey community, where she has long been beloved. Her popularity stems from her days as a standout player in Eagan, where she won two NCAA titles with the Gophers and achieved success on the international stage with three world championships and three Olympic medals.

Darwitz's connections and influence in the state's hockey community played a significant role in the team's success in its inaugural season. Through her efforts, PWHL Minnesota secured prestigious venues like the Xcel Energy Center for games and Tria Rink as the team's practice facility. Their regular-season average attendance of 7,138 was second only to Ottawa's 7,496.

Under Darwitz's leadership, PWHL Minnesota also struck important partnerships with Tria Orthopedic for medical care and had plans to build dedicated space at Tria Rink. Her dedication to the team was evident as she actively took part in daily operations, handling tasks ranging from equipment management to player transactions.

Prior to her role with PWHL Minnesota, Darwitz had a successful coaching career, working as an assistant with the Gophers and leading teams like Lakeville South High School and Hamline to multiple appearances in their respective playoffs.

In the most recent season, Darwitz served as the top assistant under coach Brad Frost at the University of Minnesota before accepting the position as the head coach of Hill-Murray's girls team. However, she ultimately took the opportunity to join PWHL Minnesota.

Darwitz's impact was evident in last fall's draft, where she selected former Gophers star Taylor Heise as the first overall pick. Heise went on to become the MVP of the inaugural PWHL playoffs.

The sudden departure of Natalie Darwitz and the subsequent appointment of Ken Klee as acting GM has sent shockwaves through the PWHL Minnesota community. The team will now rely on Klee's leadership and the support of its players to navigate the upcoming season and continue their quest for success.