The new PWHL Las Vegas team recently announced its first two signings. They are bringing in defenders Kendall Cooper and Mae Batherson on two-year deals through the 2027-28 season. Clearly, excitement is growing around PWHL’s expansion into Las Vegas.
Both players join Las Vegas after playing together with the Minnesota Frost last season. Batherson has been with the team since she was picked in the sixth round, 33rd overall, in the 2024 PWHL Draft. In contrast, Cooper was picked in the first round, sixth overall, in the previous year’s PWHL draft class.
After these signings, the Frost cannot lose any more players during the second part of the Expansion Player Distribution Process. The team already lost Britta Curl-Salemme to Detroit earlier that weekend, further shaking up the PWHL player lineup.
Player Details
Although Cooper was not seen as the best first-year player this season, she had an excellent rookie year with Minnesota. She played in all 30 games, scoring 2 goals and making 17 assists for 19 points. That record ranked sixth on the team and helped the Frost set a record with 91 goals in the regular season. Notably, her stats added extra value to the PWHL rookie class. Cooper also tied for second in rookie points with Boston Fleet defender Haley Winn and Montreal Victoire defender Nicole Gosling. She had a plus/minus rating of +9 and spent an average of 21 minutes and 29 seconds on the ice. This was second only to Lee Stecklein on the Frost.
Cooper did not score in Minnesota’s semifinal series against the Victoire. In that series, the Frost lost in five games to the team that went on to win the Walter Cup. In the context of the PWHL playoffs, every point counts.
Batherson also had a strong year. After making three assists in her rookie season, the Nova Scotia native scored three goals and made 12 assists for 15 points. She had a +10 rating and an average of 18 minutes and 45 seconds on the ice. Moreover, she made two assists against the Victoire in the playoffs, showing her value in key PWHL moments.
The former St. Lawrence Saint has scored 18 points in 55 regular-season PWHL games, plus two points in eight playoff games.
Las Vegas has filled two of five open roster spots for Phase 2 of the expansion process. The second phase ends on June 8, and will soon shape the future for PWHL Las Vegas fans.
Continue reading:
Success of the Golden Knights Has Contributed to the Growth of Youth Hockey in Las Vegas
Eric Butler is a Contributor for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on Instagram and X via @ReportandOpine
