The SDHL will begin their 2025-26 regular season on September 5, a week earlier than usual.
On the opening day of action Brynäs and Linköping will play the first game of the evening followed by SDE and Djurgården, and MoDo and Färjestad.
The SDHL is widely considered the second best professional women's hockey league in the world behind only North America's PWHL. The 36 week regular season will conclude on February 27, only days after the end of the Olympic Games.
Much like the PWHL, the SDHL is prepared for a month gap in their schedule from January 24 to February 25.
Last year Frölunda won their first ever SDHL title. They will open their SDHL schedule on the second night of the season against Skellefteå. Frölunda's veteran leader from last season, Finnish legend Michelle Karvinen this season joined the PWHL being selected 7th overall by PWHL Vancouver.
Lulea's Petra Nieminen and Frölunda's Elisa Holopainen tied for the 2024-25 SDHL scoring lead each recording 45 points in 36 games.
One other SDHL member, Linkoping captain Sara Hjalmarsson is also joining the PWHL next season after being selected by the Toronto Sceptres. SDE HF defender Emma Bergesen signed with the PWHL's Ottawa Charge prior to the draft, while Savannah Norcross is returning to the PWHL after spending last season with Lulea.
Hjalmarsson and Karvinen aren't the only players from the SDHL heading to North America however as many will join the NCAA from the league. Among those players are Adela Sapovalivova (Wisconsin), Tereza Plosova (Minnesota), Sanni Vanhanen (Ohio State), Hilda Svensson (Ohio State), and Jenna Raunio (Ohio State).
Conversely a few PWHL players, including netminders Emma Soderberg and Klara Peslarova, are returning to the SDHL, while forward Noora Tulus continues to attempt to break her contract with the New York Sirens to return to Sweden as well.