<p>Tough news for the defending Walter Cup champions.</p>



<p>On Sunday, the <a href="https://www.thepwhl.com/en/teams/minnesota-frost/news/2024/december/22/minnesota-frost-sign-defender-charlotte-akervik">Minnesota Frost placed defender Sophie Jaques</a> on long-term injured reserve with an upper-body injury. </p>



<p>In response, the team has signed blueliner Charlotte Akervik to a standard player agreement (SPA).</p>



<p>Jaques was hurt during the Frost’s first game back from the international break this past Thursday against the Ottawa Charge. Halfway through the third period, Jaques received a hip check from Charge forward Mannon McMahon. It sent the former Ohio State Buckeye tumbling to the ice, with Jaques awkwardly twisting her shoulder while attempting to make a defensive play.</p>



<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A look at that hit, kind of a hip check by McMahon <a href="https://t.co/WSBofaQc19">https://t.co/WSBofaQc19</a> <a href="https://t.co/HFAwVEAGKi">pic.twitter.com/HFAwVEAGKi</a></p>— CJ Fogler 🫡 (@cjzero) <a href="https://twitter.com/cjzero/status/1869945103407603993?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 20, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>



<p>McMahon was originally called for a major penalty for an illegal hit, but it was knocked down to a minor after a video review. Jaques left the game and didn’t return. Minnesota went on to win the game, 5-2.</p><div class="injected-ad injected-video" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="0" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="153"></div>



<p>Jaques, who Boston initially drafted before being traded to Minnesota last season, was an impact player for the team on their way to winning the inaugural Walter Cup. The 2023 Patty Kazmaier Award winner has three assists so far this season, averaging well over 21 minutes per game.</p>



<p>Akervik began the 2024-25 campaign on Minnesota’s reserve list. The 23-year-old entered the pro ranks after a successful five years at Minnesota State, where she left the program as the all-time leading scorer among defenders.</p>



<p>General manager Melissa Caruso said there is a lot to like about the Eau Claire native’s game.</p>



<p>“Having had the opportunity to watch Charlotte skate and practice since training camp and for the last few weeks as a Reserve Player,” Caruso said. “We know she will slide seamlessly into the lineup this weekend.&nbsp;We are excited to see how her size and grit will contribute to our defense and expect that she will show up ready to compete right away.”</p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="1" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="162"></div>



<p>Jaques is added to the extended injured list, which is surprisingly long across the league. With the addition of one of Minnesota’s defenders, six players in the PWHL have been placed on LTIR, including New York Sirens defender Ella Shelton.</p>



<p>The Sirens (2-1-0-1) and Frost (3-0-1-0) are set to face off at noon on Sunday in New Jersey. Minnesota leads New York by two points atop the PWHL.</p>



<p><a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/categories/pwhl"><em>Read more PWHL stories on DFO</em></a></p>
