Former PWHL Ottawa forward Akane Shiga has signed with Lulea in Sweden's SDHL for the upcoming hockey season.

Former PWHL Ottawa forward Akane Shiga has signed with perennial Swedish powerhouse Lulea for the upcoming SDHL season.

Shiga, 23, had two goals in 24 games last season for Ottawa and also recorded five points in five games representing Japan at the 2024 World Championships.

"In Akane Shiga, we get a smart player who is always active and ready to participate in the game," said Lulea's Oskar Häggström in a translated press release. "She works hard all over the court and has a natural drive to score goals. In addition, she is good in the game without the puck and will be useful for us next season."

"I am really looking forward to playing for Luleå Hockey/MSSK next season," said Shiga. "And it was great that they wanted me as part of their program and I will do everything I can to help the team by exceeding the expectations that are placed on me. I know several Japanese players who have played in the SDHL and it is clear that it has been noted at international level how many national team players have played in the Swedish league. In addition, Chiho Osawa spoke warmly about his time in Luleå and that made me feel even more confident that it will be the right place for me to develop further as a player."

PWHL Ottawa has filled their forward group this offseason signing Rebecca Leslie and Alexa Vasko from Toronto, as well as drafting Danielle Serdachny, Anna Meixner, Manon McMahon, among others.