Defending PWHL champions Minnesota Frost have a big challenge when the second season begins Nov. 30. Winning breeds fiercer competition, particularly in a six-team league with so much familiarity between players from their college and international careers.

The Minnesota Frost has a larger staff than did PWHL Minnesota, plus newly branded gear, a longer season and, of course, the Walter Cup trophy.

The Professional Women’s Hockey League Team is back on the ice with a new team name, new uniforms and an 18-player returning roster. The Frost started pre-season training Thursday in St. Paul.

The defending PWHL champions took to the ice for their first practice of the season Thursday in downtown St. Paul featuring a lot of familiar names, which bodes well for their chances of pulling off a repeat.