St. Cloud State will add three members of Finland's national programs to their roster over the next two seasons.
St. Cloud State will add three members of Finland's national programs to their roster over the next two seasons.
St. Cloud State is known for recruiting talented European players to compete as part of their NCAA roster. Soon, that group will include three top Finnish players.
St. Cloud had a pair of Finns on their roster this season, and will add national team member Sofianna Sundelin, who has won both Olympic and World Championship bronze next season. Sundelin had five points for Finland at the 2023 World Championship, and played with Team Kuortane in Naisten Liiga last year.
In 2024-2025, Sundelin will be joined by Emilia Krykko and Siiri Yrjola, both members and bronze medalists with Finland's U-18 national program. Krykko was named the best goaltender at the 2022 U-18 World Championships, and was Finland's third goalie at the recent senior national World Championships.
This season, St. Cloud's leading scorer was Finnish national team member Jenniina Nylund. Nylund finished the season with 14 goals and 28 points in 37 games. Nylund had a breakout performance at the 2023 Worlds scoring seven points in seven games. Nylund will leave St. Cloud State this year to embark on her professional career.
Finland's starting goalie to earn promotion back to Group A at next year's World Championship was St. Cloud netminder Sanni Ahola. Ahola will be back in St. Cloud next season. In 20 games played in 2022-2023, Ahola posted a 2.50 GAA and .923.
St. Cloud also had members of Czechia and Germany's national teams.
NCAA women's hockey overall continues to become more international with players from 18 nations competing this season.