Petra Nieminen won the 2025-26 SDHL scoring title with Luleå HF as Europe's top league enters the playoffs. Nieminen is a top prospect heading into the 2026 PWHL Draft.
Petra Nieminen played far less games than the next leading scorers in the SDHL, but the Finnish star still captured the scoring crown in Europe's top league by a margin.
Nieminen, playing for Luleå HF, finished her 2025-26 SDHL season with 24 goals and 45 points in only 27 games.
The next highest scorers in the SDHL were her fellow Finnish national team member Frölunda HC Elisa Holopainen, and former PWHL forward Gabrielle David who plays for SDE HF, each finished with 42 points playing 36 and 35 games respectively. Holopainen led the league in goals with 27. Alongside Nieminen they were the only players in the SDHL to eclipse the 20 goal mark.
Nieminen is expected to enter the 2026 PWHL Draft where she's projected to be picked in the top two rounds. David is also likely to rejoin the PWHL as a free agent having spent the first two seasons in the league with the Montreal Victoire.
Several other members of the SDHL's top ten in scoring are also expected to come to the PWHL next season including fourth overall scorer Viivi Vainikka who finished with 40 points.
Former PWHL forwards Noora Tulus, who remains under contract in the PWHL next season, and Samantha Cogan and Akane Shiga, who are eligible to return to North America were next. They were followed by Swedish forward Hannah Thuvik, who is staying in Sweden, and forward Sofie Lundin who is declaring for the PWHL Draft, as well as forward Brette Pettet who is believed to be considering declaration.
The opening round of the SDHL playoffs begins today with Frolunda HC taking on Färjestad BK, Luleå HF is facing Djurgårdens IF, Brynäs IF will play Skellefteå AIK, and SDE HF will take on MoDo.