Britta Curl, the ninth overall selection at the 2024 PWHL Draft, has apologized for the “hurt” caused by her social media activity.
Curl, a center from the University of Wisconsin, was chosen by PWHL Minnesota in the second round on Monday night in Saint Paul. Her selection was met with boos at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium, and drew criticism online from fans, some of whom threatened to boycott the team.
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Curl’s social media activity stirred controversy in the weeks leading up to the draft. Her “likes” on X included posts promoting COVID-19 conspiracy theories, attacking inclusive language toward transgender women, and appearing to show support for Kyle Rittenhouse, who shot and killed two people, and wounded a third, during unrest in Kenosha, Wis., in the wake of George Floyd’s murder.
On Friday night, Curl released a video on X directly addressing PWHL fans and the controversy surrounding her social media activity.
Dear PWHL fans…
(1/2) pic.twitter.com/srLPAa9b8e— Britta Curl (@brittacurl) June 15, 2024
“I specifically recognize that my social media activity has resulted in hurt being felt across communities, including LGBTQ+ and BIPOC individuals, and I just want to apologize and take ownership of that,” Curl said.
She added: “I do not and I’ve never held hate or judgment towards any groups or individuals.”
The PWHL also released a statement addressed to fans on Friday night. While the league’s statement did not name Curl or directly address the controversy surrounding her selection at the draft, it did highlight the importance of inclusion within the league.
“Our commitment remains steadfast: to build an inclusive league that develops, supports, and elevates the best women’s hockey players in the world while fostering a safe and welcoming environment for our growing, diverse and devoted fan base.”
To our incredible and passionate fans: pic.twitter.com/DoVZDOm9VK
— PWHL (@thepwhlofficial) June 15, 2024
Leading into the draft, The Athletic confirmed with all six teams that Curl was not on any kind of “do-not draft list.” Curl — who was the captain of the Badgers — scored 62 points in the NCAA last season and represented Team USA at the 2024 Women’s World Championship and was expected to be drafted early.
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Minnesota coach Ken Klee — who was responsible for the team’s draft picks after the league and GM Natalie Darwitz parted ways days before the draft — was heavily criticized for the selection. When asked about the decision, Klee said the team was trying to pick the best players available.
“We did our homework on her,” he said on Monday night. “She’s obviously a great player. We talked to coaches who said that she’s a great kid, a great competitor, great in the locker room. I talked to her teammates on USA and some other areas, they said, ‘She’s a great teammate, coach, you’d love to have her.’”
In her statement Curl added, “I’ve played with countless teammates with different personalities, different religious beliefs, political views, different lifestyles, and we’ve always been able to maintain mutual respect and love.
“I believe that my former teammates, coaches and staff would agree that this is how I carry myself in and out of the locker room. However, I hope to better demonstrate this to PWHL fans and just to the general public.
“I’ve learned so much through this, and I’m seeing it as an opportunity to grow in humility and grow in love, and my goal in this league is the same as it always has been: I want to make a positive impact, be a good leader, a good role model, train hard, play hard and just give my heart to the people around me, the league, and to the sport.
“To those of you who may still have reservations, I hope you can extend me the grace to prove to you who I really am. I’m just so grateful to be here, to be a part of this, and thanks for your open minds, your open hearts. I really hope to see you guys next season.”
(Photo courtesy of the PWHL)
