While most of the world's top players will be in the new professional women's hockey league, there is a full team of international stars who need to join to bring all the best to one place.
When the new professional women's hockey league involving members of the PHF and PWHPA hits the ice in 2024, it will include almost all of the best North American players outside the NCAA. There are, however, players who will still be competing in Europe this year who need to be involved in the future to make sure all of the best professional players in the world are in one place.
Many international players were signed to play in the PHF this year including Alina Müller, Chloe Aurard, Theresa Schafzahl, Emma Soderberg, Susanna Tapani, Noora Räty, Sandra Abstreiter, six members of Czechia's national team, Akane and Aoi Shiga, and Finns Emma Nuutinen, Anna Kilponen, and Minttu Tuominen. But there are many more out there the new league should, and will, attempt to lure to North America.
Had this announcement been made earlier, players like Jenniina Nylund, Sini Karjalainen, and Andrea Brändli would be in the conversation, but they'll be headed to Europe this year after graduating from the NCAA.
Here's a look at those players.
- Petra Nieminen, Finland - One of the top scorers in the world in every recent international competition, Nieminen is only 24, and already has two Olympic medals and three World Championship medals. She's annually one of the top scorers in Sweden's SDHL, helping Luleå win four consecutive championships. Unless Nieminen has an out in her contract, she's signed with Luleå through 2024-2025.
- Jenni Hiirikoski, Finland - As certain of a first-ballot Hockey Hall of Famer as their is currently playing on the planet, Hiirikoski, 36, is perhaps the one superstar on the planet who may never step foot in this new league. She has been Luleå's leader, and the captain of Finland's national team for years, but remains under contract for two more seasons, making her 38 by the time she'd be eligible to come overseas. It would be incredible to see the two-time Olympic Games top defender, and seven time World Championship best defender in this league, even for a single season swan song.
- Jennifer Wakefield, Canada - Had it not been for the acquisition, Wakefield, 34, wouldn't have been on this list as her signing with the PHF's Toronto Six was near completion. The six-foot forward has eight Olympic and World Championship medals, including gold in both events representing Canada. After her NCAA career and one year in the CWHL, Wakefield left for Sweden and never looked back. She remained a member of Canada's national team for years, but has not been called upon by the senior national team, nor invited to camps in recent years. The power forward remains one of the best in the world, and would be a force in the new league. She's one of the few on this list not under contract.
- Lara Stalder, Switzerland - Stalder, 28, has been the cornerstone of Switzerland's international roster for more than a decade, playing in three Olympic Games and seven World Championships, including Switzerland's historic bronze medal at the 2014 Olympics. Stalder has topped the SDHL scoring charts in four straight seasons earning two league MVP honors in that time. She's returning to a lower level in her home Swiss league next year, but remains one of the best in the world. Given her move back to Switzerland, it seems unlikely she'll cross the Atlantic to play, but perhaps the opportunity to compete with the best all in one place will change that.
- Daniela Pejsova, Czechia - The best Czechian player who wasn't in or headed to North America this year, Pejsova is a difference maker. The mobile defender is only 20, and won her first Best Defender award at the 2022 World Championships. Playing in Luleå, she's on the best team in the world outside North America, but to play against the best competition in the world, a move to the new league next season would be a boost for Pejsova and the sport.
- Elisa Holopainen, Finland - Holopainen has been Finland's top forward aside from Petra Nieminen, and unfortunately missed playing for Finland at the recent World Championships. The 21-year-old has a career ahead of her to earn top dollar in the women's game, and if a North American team or league can lure her across the Atlantic, she'd be a top six player on any pro league team. She's too good to stay in Finland where she blew away the competition this season with 41 goals and 75 points in only 28 games.
- Viivi Vainikka, Finland - Few in the game see the ice and are as fluid in motion as Viivi Vainikka. One of Finland's top players in international competition, scoring 10 points in seven games this year at the World Championships, Vainikka is another member of the powerhouse SDHL program in Luleå where she had 41 points in 32 games this season. At 21, the best years of Vainikka's career are still ahead. She's fantastic in the face-off circle, and a player that any club looking to build a winner should target. She's under contract through 2024-2025.
- Michaela Pejzlova, Czechia - Pejzlova is the best Czech forward not in North America. She edged Holopainen for the scoring title in Naisten Liiga this season with 82 points in 31 games and was one of Czechia's top threats at the World Championships. Those totals in Finland are evidence Pejzlova needs to find stiffer competition. She's among a group of Czech players, that also includes Pejsova, Alena Mills and Sara Cajanova who should all be looking to North America.
- Anna Meixner, Austria - Meixner is a rare Austrian among the world's elite players. Playing for Brynäs in the SDHL, Meixner was named league MVP following her campaign where she totalled 53 points in 30 games before adding 11 in eight postseason contests. The 28-year-old has shown rapid growth in her three seasons in the SDHL since moving over from the EWHL. She's Austria's national team captain. Her SDHL contract expires following this season.
- Noora Tulus, Finland - Heading into her ninth season with Luleå, Tulus, 27, is coming off one of the best offensive campaigns of her career. In the SDHL she compiled 56 points in 32 games, followed by ten in seven games for Finland at the World Championships. Two Olympic bronze medals and four World Championship medals dot the Finnish national team member's resume. Tulus is a free agent following this season.
- Maja Nylén Persson, Sweden - Each nation has their 'best,' and Nylén Persson is the best defender in Sweden, period. She's been one of the top scorers for Sweden internationally, and is the reigning back-to-back SDHL Defender of the Year, and in 2022 was named the Swedish Player of the Year, and Sweden's Defender of the Year. At 22, Nylén Persson needs to be part of any "best league" moving forward. She'll have that chance following this season.
- Hanna Olsson, Sweden - Hanna Olsson spent her season in Sweden's second tier league helping Frolunda earn promotion to the SDHL. She scored over 100 points and then hit double digits at the World Championships with 11 points in seven games proving the year did nothing to hurt her ability. The 24-year-old will step back into the SDHL next season where she'll be one of the top scorers, but can't come to North America until after 2024-2025 due to her contract.
- Michelle Karvinen, Finland - She's one of the best to ever play the game from Finland, and a likely Hockey Hall of Famer. Three Olympic medals, five World Championship medals, three titles in Sweden, one in Russia and one in Switzerland...Karvinen is a winner. Alongside Olsson, she scored over 100 points as well to drive the new Frolunda club into the SDHL. Karvinen, 33, played NCAA hockey at North Dakota, but a championship in the continent is the only thing left for her to achieve.
- Ronja Savolainen, Finland - At 25, Savolainen already has four World Championship medals, two Olympic medals, and five SDHL titles with Luleå to her name. Consistently one of the top offensive defenders on the World stage and in the SDHL, Savolainen can jump into the rush and score, and she uses her five-foot-ten frame to her advantage. A must have defender for any top league. She's in the final year of her contract in the SDHL.
- Lara Christen, Switzerland - Christen still has room to grow, but she remains one of the top young defenders in the game. On a Swiss team that had the play taken to them regularly at the World Championships, Christen was one of few players who could keep pace with the best from Canada and USA. Whether it's to the SDHL, PHF, or a future iteration of the PWHPA, Christen needs to find better competition.
- Olga Sosina, Russia - Unlike men's hockey where the top Russian players remain in North America, in women's hockey Russian players have almost been forgotten at this point. Th 30-year-old Sosina has represented Russia at four Olympic Games, and this year led the ZHL in scoring in Russia. There are several players from the country who could benefit from being in North America. In fact, a pair of Russian national team members were attempting to join the PHF this season.
- Hannah Miller, China - Miller is a unique case having twice represented Canada at the U-18 World Championships winning back-to-back gold, and in 2022, she represented China at the World Championships and Olympic Games. At the DIB Worlds Miller was named the tournament's Best Forward helping China to promotion, and she'll be a key figure in their attack this year at the DIA tournament.
- Alena Mills, Czechia - The long time Czechia national team captain announced her retirement from Czechia's national team following back-to-back World Championship bronze medals. Mills was hoping to sign with the Buffalo Beauts this season, intending to play in the PHF. It will be interesting to see if she comes to North America in hopes of making the new league, or if she stays in Europe.
- Emilia Vesa, Finland - The smooth skating forward had 53 points in 28 Naisten Liiga games for HIFK and is headed to the SDHL next year. Vesa had five goals in seven games at the World Championships, and if she can transfer her scoring to Frolunda in Sweden, the next logical step is North America.
- Anna Shokhina, Russia - The longtime Tornado Dmitrov captain, Shokhina has 186 points in 76 games over the past three seasons in Russia. The 26-year-old has twice been named the MVP in Russia.
- Julia Liikala, Finland - Scored more than two points per game with HIFK in Naisten Liiga, Liikala also had six points in seven games at Worlds. She's a free agent after this year, and is one of several Finns who need to come across the ocean.
- Skyler Fontaine, USA - Fontaine, 25, was a two time Patty Kazmaier nominee playing for Northeastern where she scored more than a point per game as a blueliner her last three seasons. Last season with the ZSC Lions in Switzerland, Fontaine was named the SWHL's top defender. She re-signed for another season before the new league was announced.
- Anna Shibanova, Russia - One of the best Russian blueliners for the last decade, Shibanova was consistently one of Russia's top players at the World Championships and served as a captain and assistant captain at many tournaments. She's an offensively gifted defender who plays very physical.
- Anni Keisala, Finland - Not to be overlooked in the goaltending discussion, is Anni Keisala, 26, who was named the World Championship's best goalie in 2021, and followed that up with multiple Best Goalie honors in Naisten Liiga. She's scheduled to spend the next season seasons with HV71 in the SDHL.
- Klara Peslarova, Czechia - In 2022, Peslarova was the SDHL goalie of the year and named an Olympic All-Star and World Championship All-Star. She missed the most recent Worlds due to injury, but is undoubtedly one of the best goaltenders in the world, and at only 26, has plenty of hockey ahead. Her contract with Brynas expires following this year.
Other names to watch: Ryleigh Houston, Nara Elia, Kaitlyn Tougas, Fanuza Kadirova Sanni Rantala, Lina Ljungblom, Andrea Brandli, Sini Karjalainen, Blanka Skodova, Jenniina Nylund, Sinja Leemann, Lisa Rüedi, Ilona Markova