Ken Klee happily trades Costa Rican vacation for coaching pro women's hockey team in Minnesota

Ken Klee was supposed to be vacationing with his wife and friends in sunny Costa Rica, but instead found himself wandering a Target store stocking up on the basics in the middle of a Twin Cities' winter.

As trades go, the former defenseman who was dealt twice during his 14-year NHL career couldn’t be happier. Klee landed in Minnesota shortly after Christmas to take over coaching the newly launched Professional Women’s Hockey League franchise after Charlie Burggraf stepped down for personal reasons a week before the start of the season.

“I’m getting some linens, paper towels and cups, and a coffee mug, and something to eat like a frozen pizza,” Klee said by phone, following his shopping trip on Tuesday.

“Yeah, my wife would be laughing if she could see me right now,” the 52-year-old said. “They’re all down there having a blast. And I’m getting to coach in front of almost 14,000 fans. So, I think both of us are pretty happy with it.”