The SDHL, PostFinance Women's League, and DFEL, Europe's three top leagues kicked off competition this weekend, and there were plenty of soon-to-be PWHL players, recent picks, and 2027 prospects involved.
Europe's top leagues dropped the puck this past weekend with several past, soon-to-be, and potential PWHL players in the mix.
PWHL Draft Picks Hit The Ice
Several 2026 PWHL Draft picks hit the ice this weekend in Sweden. Vancouver Goldeneyes' second round pick Thea Johansson opened her stint overseas scoring a goal and two assists for HV71 in a 3-2 overtime win against Linkoping. Her overtime helper was onto the stick of Justine Reyes, who will attend PWHL San Jose training camp as a free agent invite. On the other side of the puck, Michelle Lowenhielm assisted on both for Linkoping. She's headed to training camp as a free agent with the Toronto Sceptres.
Brynas handed MoDo a 4-2 loss in a match up with multiple PWHL connections in the mix. On the losing side, Minnesota Frost second round pick Viivi Vainikka scored a goal and added a helper for MoDo against her former team. Former PWHL players including Klara Peslarova, who took the win in net, and Anna Meixner, who scored and is captaining Brynas this season, were also involved.
Former PWHL defender Charlotte Akervik also scored in her opener with Djurgarden, and she'll be a player to watch when the SDHL season ends as a free agent addition.
To open the season, Frolunda beat Farjestad 5-2. New York Sirens second round pick Elisa Holopainen was clearly the best player on the ice in the game dazzling with her skating and puck skills. She fired 10 shots on net and added two assists playing the wing on Frolunda's top line.
Swiss League Opens
Las Vegas netminder Saskia Maurer made 19 saves in a 2-0 loss playing for SC Bern against HC Fribourg-Gotteron. She bounced back the following day with Bern earning a 6-2 win over Lausanne HC. Players who declared for the PWHL Draft like Lea MacLeod and Sophie Hudson had strong starts to their season for SC Bern.
Other previously PWHL declared players like Mira Seregely, who had two goals and four points in her season opener, in a 7-2 win for EV Zug over Neuchatel Academy. Vancouver Goldeneyes defender Sini Karjalainen signed a short term contract with EV Zug and had an assist in her debut.
PWHL Draft Prospects Open Their Season
There will be uncertainty around who will declare for the 2027 PWHL Draft from the NCAA side until March, but nothing has changed for European players. The top players in Europe this season who could declare for the 2027 PWHL Draft include defenders Sanni Rantala and Sara Cajanova from the SDHL, along with forwards like Michaela Pejzlova, Julia Liikala, Emma Juusela, Cassidy Maplethorpe, Hanna Thuvik, Elin Svensson, and others.
In Switzerland, forwards Rahel Enzler, Sinja Leeman, and Brooklyn Schneiderhan are a trio to watch, as are defenders Lara Christen and Ada Eronen.
