Mira Jungaker is one of the best young defenders on the planet, and she believes moving across the Atlantic to play at Ohio State University next year will make her even better.

Mira Jungaker has emerged as one of the top teenage defenders on the planet. The Swedish blueliner averaged the second highest time on ice among Swedish blueliners at the IIHF World Championships, and is part of an incoming young core at Ohio State Univeristy.

She'll join recent transfers Sara Swiderski and Brooke Disher who will form the new core of a blueline looking to replace Cayla Barnes, Hadley Hartmetz, Lauren Bernard, and Stephanie Markowski, who are all anticipated picks in the 2024 PWHL Draft, and were the backbone of Ohio State's national championship winning team.

I'm so excited, first of all it's something new that keeps the energy up and I'm really excited for next season," said Jungaker about joining Ohio State.

For Jungaker, the opportunity to play at Ohio State was one she couldn't turn down, as she feels the school is the perfect place for her to grow.

I really want to work for a spot and for ice time," she said. "Ohio State has the perfect opportunity for me to grow as a person, and also as a hockey player."

Last season Jungaker, 18, played 34 games for HV71 in the SDHL, recording 21 points. 

Ohio State has an incoming crop of Swedish players over the next few seasons who could be difference makers including Jungaker and fellow HV71 players Jenna Raunio, Elin Svensson, and Hilda Svensson.