Taylor Heise:
Leading the Game
By Victoria Matiash
Photography by Russell Heeter
Styled by Statement Boutique
Ice Warriors Magazine - Issue 1
Cover Feature
It has been a monumental year of firsts for PWHL superstar Taylor Heise, on and off the ice. After piling up awards and titles at the University of Minnesota, the Lake City native was selected first-overall by her home-state team in the league’s inaugural draft.
Fast-forward a few months, and the postseason’s most productive player and Playoff MVP is hoisting the Walter Cup with her teammates, following an unexpected come-from-behind win over Toronto, and subsequent dramatic series victory versus Boston. A story-book ending to a history-making season for the 24-year-old. And the start of a string of celebratory adventures away from the rink.
Before returning to the ice for 2024-25, while setting the scene for us at the magnificent W Minneapolis - The Foshay, Heise addresses throwing out the first pitch at Target Field, attending the ESPYs, buying a house with her basketball player boyfriend, missed meet-ups with a favourite global popstar, on-ice goals as a member of the now-named Frost, and how one male fan had her signature tattooed on his own flesh.
VM: First-overall draft pick. Walter Cup Champion. Most points and goals in the postseason. Playoff MVP. In a banner year as a pro, what’s one off-ice highlight you’ll never forget?
TH: I would say one of my favourite highlights happened after we won and were able to bring the Cup back to the Xcel Energy Center [for] a homecoming party with our fans. This is quite comical: We were signing autographs, and I signed a man’s chest. The side of his ribs. He came back later that night and had [my signature] as a tattoo. So that was pretty unforgettable. But more so just being there with the team and our fans, as well as our staff members. Thanking them for everything they’ve been doing. It doesn’t go unnoticed, all their hard work. We wanted to make sure that was the center of our attention as well.
The “tattoo guy” story is great.
I had my boyfriend [Minnesota Golden Gopher Parker Fox] take a picture of us. I can't forget that.
“I think for someone to have their head in a helmet and sweating for like four or five hours a day, it’s nice to look a little girly and feel good for part of the day. My closet is full of random stuff. I have a three bedroom house and turned one of my rooms into a closet.”
I wouldn't be able to, either. Sticking with the Walter Cup, it wasn’t in the plans for everyone to have their own day to celebrate. That changed. How important is it to you and your teammates to have your own time, in addition to group events, in Minnesota?
It’s super important. I know a few of us did create a little bit of a funk. I guess we had some thoughts about it. I think that when you win something, you should be able to share it with those who helped you. So we complained a little bit and it was nice that the league finally let us do it.
Walter has been everywhere in Minnesota. I’ve been to see the Linx, Twins, Vikings, Aurora FC. I’ve also been to little kids’ practices where they have the best time and it's fun to share that. But having a day with the Cup is super special not only because you get to share it with your community, but also your family and the people that have loved you for so long. So I'm excited to bring it to Lake City. We’re doing a little bit of a fundraiser for the school system. Lake City gave me a lot. And they continue to give, give, give, even though I’m not there all the time.
Being down on the field for a Vikings game must have been cool.
That was bucket-list No.1, for sure. I haven’t always been the biggest Viking fan, but I’ve always watched. We’ve always had it on at home. And throwing out the Twins’ first pitch felt so special. We got to meet the mayor of Saint Paul and he [told us] that everyone was behind us. There was so much celebrating and sometimes Saint Paul is not known for its celebrations. We also brought Walter to the Minnesota State Fair – which is the best state fair in the nation, in my opinion.
How nerve-wracking was throwing out the first pitch at Target Field?
The only reason I got nervous is because [teammate] Grace Dunwinkle and I practiced every day. She got to go first and she’s the one that would screw it up – not me – and she wanted to throw a strike. So now it’s my turn and I’m going to screw up. I got nervous for like two seconds and then I was fine. We both threw strikes.
Moving on from Cup celebrations, what does a perfect day off for you look like? No game, no practice, no training.
Great question. As much as I want to say I’m going to sit on the couch and do nothing for the day, I can’t do that. My body will not let me sit there for that long. So, if we’re thinking summer, get up in the morning, have a nice walk, make some pancakes and eggs. Maybe go on a boat in the afternoon and then a nice dinner at one of my favourite outdoor areas. I just bought my house in Saint Paul. It’s nice to sit out on my new patio furniture and watch our outdoor TV and have a fire.
In the fall, there's Pine Tree Apple Orchard. My boyfriend brought me there for the first time a few years ago and it’s the best. They have apple cider donuts and you get to pick apples. I’m a big baker, so I’d go there and then bake something at night and watch a movie.
Is going to the ESPY’s as fun as it looks?
Oh my God, yes! My boyfriend was able to go as my plus one. You feel like a small fish in a big pond, but it was an opportunity of a lifetime. I was actually supposed to close on my house that day. I had to call my realtor and be like, ‘Steve, listen up here buddy, we’ve got to shift things around because I have to go to the ESPYs.’ He got on the phone and called to make sure we were able to close the day before. There was a gifting suite, so I came home with six other bags I didn’t need. I got to see a bunch of really, cool people like [track star] Allyson Felix. It was a super cool experience.
I saw photos and your dress was gorgeous …
Thank you!
… Is that you fashion-wise, or are you more into casual attire?
It really depends. My friends in high school, they’re like, girl, you didn’t care one bit what you looked like, and honestly, fair! But it’s been fun for me to get rid of all my clothes and start fresh. I enjoy the way an outfit can let your personality show through. I’m still super casual. My sweatshirt closet is absolutely absurd. I have like two closets full of sweatshirts. Do I need them all? Absolutely not. But I love being comfortable.
And looking a little cute. Honestly, just for your own mental health. I think for someone to have their head in a helmet and sweating for like four or five hours a day, it’s nice to look a little girly and feel good for part of the day. My closet is full of random stuff. I have a three bedroom house and turned one of my rooms into a closet.
So, you do like clothes.
I do! My mom’s like, ‘girl, you don’t need to buy so many clothes.’ Mom, I started from scratch! So, it’s been fun to experiment. It’s been cool to get some colours in here and there. I love a colourful blazer. Colourful pants are not quite in my repertoire yet, but I’m getting there. I’m trying to get out of my comfort zone.
Once you feel comfortable in blazing red pants …
You could do anything! You could take on the world.
Let’s get to the boyfriend. How did you guys meet? I’m going to guess college …
We did meet in college. We started dating almost two years ago. Before that we were really good friends. When I met him, I lived in my college house with eight teammates and two random people. He lived in an apartment complex right across the street. One day, before a football game, we had a little shindig in the backyard. One of my friends brought all the basketball players over and I knew all of them. I grew up in a basketball family… That's how I met him. I ended up talking in the backyard, we became really good friends after, then started dating about a year down the road.
He’s been through it. He went through back-to-back knee surgeries and that’s not something you want to go through alone. So it was nice that I was able to be there for him as a friend. After that, it just spiralled into something better. He’s definitely someone that keeps me humble but also builds me up, in the best way. We live together now and it’s super cool to have your best buddy there. We sit outside and watch football. Swear to God, college or the NFL is on every single night. I don’t ever get my shows. I’ve become a big football fan, to say the least.
What are your shows?
Oh gosh, I just started watching The Perfect Couple, the Netflix series ...
You might be the fourth person to mention that show to me in the last few days. A mystery drama, yes?
Correct. It’s about this rich family, which makes it even better. So, it’s been cool to watch that. I’m trying to save [episodes] because I’m off to Seattle this week and Utah the week after. It’s nice to keep those for the flights because it keeps you entertained.
Parker and I watch The Office at night to wind down because it’s just funny. I also just finished White Collar. The Lincoln Lawyer is one of my favourite shows ever.
In the Heise/Fox household, what’s on the menu?
Goodness. I do most of the cooking. I enjoy it the most, as well as baking. Normally for breakfast, we’ll have avocado toast with it with a fried egg on the top. I love fruit, so there’s always fresh fruit in the house. Yesterday was football Sunday, so for lunch I made drumsticks in the slow cooker. Those were super good. Dinner, I made stuffed shells with Italian sausage.
On the weekends I love to cook and plan, but usually during the week he gets all three meals at school, which is nice. We can both eat ourselves out of house and home.
“Caitlin Clark. I admire her. She doesn’t complain a ton, but she also doesn’t not complain. It’s her livelihood, it’s what she trains for. Just like me.”
Two young athletes, I can imagine …
I do out-eat him on almost every single occasion. Which is crazy because he’s so much bigger than me.
Circling back to sports, who is another athlete outside of hockey you greatly admire?
Caitlin Clark. I admire her. She doesn’t complain a ton, but she also doesn’t not complain. It’s her livelihood, it’s what she trains for. Just like me. I’m not one to complain too much, but if I get tripped or whatever, I’m not going to keep silent. She’s humble and doesn’t make excuses. I appreciate that. And she really loves her teammates, which is something I can relate to, as well. I love listening to her comments on social media.
You’ve met some big-time celebrities in and outside of sports. Billie Jean King! But who remains on your must-meet list?
Caitlin Clark and Tate McRae. Everyone always asks if I’ve met [McRae] yet and no. We were going to do a meet and greet and it fell through. I just met one of my other favourite pop artists Kehlani. I got to go backstage and meet her and her full crew the other day, which was so much fun. So, I would say Caitlin and Tate McRae.
You’re known to be a big McRae fan …
I sure am. I went to both of her concerts in Minneapolis in the past two years, which were awesome. I was supposed to meet her on two separate occasions, but it just didn't work out. I'm going to keep my hopes up because I think our paths will cross at some point.
Back to your first year as a pro, aside from winning the Cup, what was a top moment for you on the ice?
As a hockey team, losing six or seven games straight is so hard to do. I don’t think people understand the difficulty it brings. So, after losing two more games going into the playoffs against Toronto, we’re like, ‘you know what? We’re playing with house money.’ We ended up winning our third game when Claire Butorac scored in overtime. Maggie Flaherty scored the first goal, and we were like, ‘oh my gosh, we haven’t scored in four games.’ All we needed was that puck to go in. That was the moment that we ended up saying, alright, ‘screw it, we’re going to go out here to win this because no one believes in us.’
After losing seven games straight? There were definitely times when I [wondered] are we going to be able to compete with these teams in the future? After we won again, it was pretty cool. Definitely our defining moment.
Who’s your biggest rival? With full respect, someone you enjoy beating a little bit more.
Being born in the U.S. and playing on the national team, Toronto is basically Team Canada. I would say 80% of their team get to play in a group during the year and summer. They’re playing with teammates or linemates almost any part of the year. So I would say Toronto. They have so many amazing players and it’s been cool to get to know some of them. Sarah Nurse is in my agency. I’ve really gotten to know her recently, which is super cool. They’re physical and score a ton of goals, so that’s definitely a team we came out a little harder against.
Many of us were optimistic – the on-ice product is so good – but were you surprised at how popular the PWHL proved to be in its first season?
I had complete faith we were going to captivate the audience that wanted to watch us play. I just didn’t know how many other people were going to be captivated. Social media had a huge role in it. I wasn’t always [into] social media. My agents and people around me were pushing me to show who I am outside the rink. It gives people – young girls – a platform to see, okay, she trains here, she travels there, and this is what she likes to do for fun. And seeing little girls come to the games with shirts their moms made was even better because you didn’t have the merch available.
What are your personal plans for the game?
I have an exciting partnership with a brand, where if I score or get an assist, an amount will be donated to a homeless society, food shelter or [otherwise]. I’m really excited. My mom always makes sure that it’s not just about me. It’s not about what I’ve done, but about the people that need it the most. Hockey is something I do, it’s not who I am. Dunwinkle and I are going to a few schools. I’m always trying to do more for the girls. A lot of things planned.
Other than repeating as champions, what goals do you have for this season?
I get told I need to shoot more and that’s 100% true. In a situation where I could shoot or pass, I’m going to pick the pass almost every single time. I feel like I need to be getting six to seven shots every game. Also, not get so caught up with the pressures put on me and our team. It’s a lot to deal with when you’re 24. It’s a game that I’m talented at, and I love to play, but know it’s not going to last forever. So trying to take advantage of every single moment I have on the ice.
And just being the best teammate I can. I get caught up in the play sometimes and either say some things or yell when I don't want to. So I’m going to get a hold of that a little bit. Not out of turn, but I want to make sure my teammates hear things that I would want to hear in a situation. Holding myself accountable to be a better teammate. A better person too.
