Hello, we made it to another Friday! Reid Lemker from The Ice Garden here, wishing you a happy Hockey Friday.
This week, I spoke to 2026 Minnesota Frost fourth-round pick Tova Henderson. On draft night, Henderson spoke about her excitement about the increased physical play in the PWHL compared to college hockey. I asked Henderson about how the increase in physicality will help her game, how she is preparing for it and whether or not she’d like to see more physical play allowed in the NCAA in the future.
This interview has been edited for clarity and length.
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The Ice Garden: What was draft day like for you? What were some of your emotions on draft night?
Tova Henderson: It was super fun. Kind of a nerve-racking day to start, but it was super relaxing. I spent it with my mom and dad. We all hadn’t been to Detroit before, so it was pretty cool to see the city, and it was a super cool venue. I couldn’t pass up going to the venue, so we all decided to go to Detroit and be there in person. I was just kind of nervous and excited; I didn’t know what was ahead of me. Then, to hear my name get called by Minnesota, it was super surreal and a super awesome experience. I’ll probably never forget it. I can’t even explain to you how cool it was just to be in the Fox Theater and get drafted by Minnesota.
TIG: On draft night, you mentioned your excitement about the physical play in the PWHL. How would you describe the difference between the physicality allowed in the NCAA compared to the PWHL?
Henderson: I think definitely in the NCAA, there are a couple more restrictions on physical play. You kind of have to bend the rules and see how far you can go with it. Watching PWHL games with teammates, seeing past teammates in the league, and seeing how physical they’re being coming from the [Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA)], I think it’s super cool to see. It’s just an exciting time. I used to play guys’ hockey, so there was hitting and all that. It was always kind of fun to do that and grow up with that. But yeah, it’s a different aspect of it, which some people could be nervous about. Some people can be excited about it, but I’m definitely excited for it.
TIG: How will your game benefit from the increased physicality in the PWHL?
Henderson: I think I’ll benefit just from being able to be more physical in the corners, along the boards, and defending rushes. It’ll be interesting to kind of get that first look at maybe not even playing the puck and playing the body and seeing how that goes and hopefully building off of that.
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TIG: Are you doing anything different this summer to prepare for your first PWHL season?
Henderson: Just a little bit; it’s kind of, it’s weird. It’s a weird headspace to be in, seeing all your college teammates being back for a week or so already, and then you’re still back [home]. I’m going to be practicing with some guys and letting the physicality happen there. Hopefully they’ll help me adjust as well as I can and keep up the speed with them.
TIG: Do you think the NCAA should allow more physical play in the future?
Henderson: We definitely talked about it in a meeting with other players in the conference and the commissioner of our league [WCHA]. I definitely think more physicality would benefit not only myself, but all players transitioning from the NCAA to the PWHL. It’d be an easier transition, and you’d kind of get to know what to expect, so I would definitely be in favor of it. I think they’re changing rules with the high-sticking rule. I think it’d be kind of interesting to see more flexibility with physicality. Maybe something like the jailbreak goals or something like that too. That would be pretty cool.
More from the world of women’s hockey:
PWHL announces U.S. television package with Scripps Sports by Melissa Burgess
The PodKaz: Meet new Minnesota coach Boom May by Todd Milewski and Nicole Haase
Five NEWHA out-of-conference games to put on your calendar by Amelia Ballingall
Where do the Sceptres stand in net? by Sarah Maat
Everything you need to know about the start of the 2026-2027 women’s hockey season by Torin Smith
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