PWHL Detroit continued shaping its inaugural roster this week by signing forward Britta Curl-Salemme to a three-year Standard Player Agreement as part of the league’s Expansion Player Distribution Process.
The move gives the expansion franchise another experienced player, but it also renews conversations that have followed Curl-Salemme since entering professional hockey.
Much of the criticism stems from past social media activity that generated backlash from LGBTQ+ advocates and others.
Among the posts and interactions that drew criticism were reposts promoting the documentary What Is a Woman?, a film widely criticized by LGBTQ+ advocacy groups and civil rights organizations as anti-trans. Curl-Salemme also faced criticism for social media activity involving support for Kyle Rittenhouse and engagement with posts from conservative commentator Candace Owens criticizing Target’s Pride merchandise.
Additional controversy emerged when Curl-Salemme publicly supported fellow hockey player Jocelyne Lamoureux after Lamoureux praised USA Powerlifting’s appeal of a ruling regarding transgender participation in women’s competition, a position opposed by many advocates for transgender inclusion in sports.
The backlash intensified following Curl-Salemme’s selection by Minnesota in the 2024 PWHL Draft, with some fans and advocacy groups calling on the league and its teams to reaffirm their commitments to inclusion and support for marginalized communities.
In response, Curl-Salemme released a public apology video.
“I specifically recognize that my social media activity has resulted in hurt being felt across communities including LGBTQ+ and BIPOC individuals. I just want to apologize and take ownership of that,” she said at the time.
Minnesota also issued a statement reaffirming its commitment to inclusivity, though the organization did not directly reference Curl-Salemme by name.
The debate surrounding Curl-Salemme reflects broader conversations taking place throughout sports, where fans, athletes, and organizations increasingly grapple with how public figures’ statements and online activity can affect marginalized communities and shape the culture of their leagues.
For PWHL Detroit, the signing represents both an opportunity and a potential public relations challenge as the franchise begins establishing its identity.
From a hockey standpoint, Curl-Salemme arrives with an extensive résumé.
Selected ninth overall by Minnesota in the 2024 PWHL Draft, she helped the Frost capture consecutive Walter Cup championships. During the 2025-26 season, she finished third in league scoring with 29 points and set a PWHL single-season record with 18 assists.
Across two seasons with Minnesota, she recorded 44 points in 58 regular-season games and added five playoff points in 11 postseason appearances.
Curl-Salemme also captured Olympic gold with Team USA at the 2026 Winter Games in Milan-Cortina and has earned multiple medals at the IIHF Women’s World Championship.
Detroit’s front office clearly believes her talent will help establish the franchise as an immediate contender. She joins a roster that already includes Daryl Watts, Hannah Bilka, and Cayla Barnes, giving the expansion club perhaps one of the strongest foundations in the PWHL when it comes to on-ice production.
Whether fans focus primarily on Curl-Salemme’s production on the ice or the concerns raised by her past public activity remains to be seen as Detroit prepares for its inaugural season.