SDHL Hands Out Awards, Meixner Named MVP

SDHL stars Anna Meixner, Sara Grahn, Maja Nylén Persson, and Hilda Svensson all took home hardware at Sweden's 2023 Hockey Gala.

Brynäs forward Anna Meixner was named winner of the Crown Princess Margareta Trophy as the Swedish SDHL most valuable player. She finished second in league goal scoring with 26 goals in 32 games, and fourth in scoring with 53 points.

Luleå’s Petra Nieminen led the league in goals (30) while Meixner’s teammate Lara Stadler led SDHL in points, with 61. Nieminen was the playoffs MVP.

Meixner was also named Forward of the Year in the first annual Hockeygala where the top three leagues in Sweden – the SDHL, and the two top-tier men’s leagues, the SHL and Hockeyallsvenskan – handed out their awards.

“I’m surrounded by great teammates and an organization and that makes it easier to play well. It’s an honor to play in this high-quality league,” she said.

“I’ve been in the league for three years now and feel a lot more comfortable. I think 28 is the new 18,” she joked when asked about her production that went up from ten goals last season to 26 this season while making a new personal points record, beating her old record by 21 points.

Crown Princess Margareta founded other first hockey club for women, in 1908, even if they played a game that more resembles modern bandy). Meixner’s other teammate, Maja Nylén-Persson was named Defender of the Year and Hilda Svensson, HV71, Rookie of the Year. Nylén-Persson finished fifth in league regular season scoring, just five points behind Meixner. Svensson scored nine goals and 22 points in 32 games, second on her team.

The remaining awards went to Luleå, the 2023 champions, who have now won the title six times in row.

Sara Grahn was named Goalie of the Year, coach Jens Sjalin Coach of the Year. Grahn lost only one game the whole season and posted an impressive 1.38 goals against average and a .928 save percentage.

Brynäs forward Hanna Thuvik’s goal won the fan vote for Goal of the Year, while Felicia

Frank, Brynäs goaltender, made the Save of the Year, according to fans.