There is talent outside the PWHL. To claim that all of the world's top players reside in the PWHL would be false. All of North America's top players are in the PWHL, but there remains a significant portion of the top players from Sweden, Finland, and Switzerland still playing in Europe. It's a point the PWHL will hope continues to change in the coming seasons.
Following the 2026 Olympics, the best European players who remained overseas to train more exclusively with their national programs and ensure they're getting significant ice time in lesser leagues may change their tune and target the PWHL. For some like Finland's Viivi Vainikka, that transition is anticipated. For older veterans, they may choose to play out their careers closer to home.
If looking at a full list of the best players outside the PWHL, it would need to include dozens of NCAA players including Caroline Harvey, Abbey Murphy, Chloe Primerano, Joy Dunne, Tessa Janecke, Eve Gascon, Laila Edwards, Kirsten Simms, Nelli Laitinen, and many more. But professionally, those beyond their college eligibility, it's a much shorter list of players who could be in the PWHL today.
Here's a look at the top 10 professional players competing outside the PWHL.
1. Lara Stalder, EV Zug
The long-time Swiss captain has been the top player almost everywhere she's gone. At 31, there's still plenty of time for her to come to North America and play a starring role. Stalder combines a physical edge with elite skill. She's led the Swedish league in scoring several times and recently returned to Switzerland just prior to the announcement of the PWHL to help grow the women's game domestically. It would be a shame not to see her aggravating opponents in the top six of a PWHL roster. Multiple times the SDHL MVP, and a First Team All-American while playing for Minnesota-Duluth proving her game can translate to smaller ice, Stalder is the best out there not in the PWHL.
2. Petra Nieminen, Lulea
The physical Finnish power forward is a prototypical player for the PWHL. A two-time World Championship All-Star and SDHL leading scorer has the combination of skills that would make her successful in North America, although she's never played in the NCAA or USports. At 26, Nieminen is not much older than some of the "rookies" coming into the league and could have a long and prosperous career in the league. She'd make the PWHL better, and should be a primary target for league staff looking to entice the best to North America.
3. Jenni Hiirikoski, Lulea
Hiirikoski could have topped this list for a decade. Recovering from heart surgery after a season of health concerns, the future Hall of Famer is the most decorated defender in women's hockey history, being named the World Championship Best Defender seven times, and Olympic Best Defender twice in her career with Finland. There are few in the sport as respected as Hiirikoski. Even if it was for a single season, seeing the 38-year-old in North America would be a cherry on top for the league.
4. Viivi Vainikka, Brynas
Many thought the smooth skating Finnish forward would declare for the 2025 PWHL Draft and she could have. An injury at the World Championships and the impending Olympic year likely changed that decision. She has separation speed and has consistently been one of Europe's best for years.
5. Sanni Rantala, Frolunda
With the shortage of defenders in the PWHL, Rantala should be ready to make that step whenever she wants. At 23, and with only one season under her belt in the SDHL after coming from Finland's weakened top league, Rantala will benefit from another year with Frolunda and international competition, but she's shown at the World Championships and Olympics with Finland already that she's capable of competing against and with the best.
6. Elisa Holopainen, Frolunda
Highly decorated internationally at only 23, Holopainen is the reigning SDHL MVP and leading scorer, and has won the same honor in Finland multiple times, and was the best forward at the U-18 World Championships with Finland. She is an excellent shooter and sees the ice well. The biggest question mark for Holopainen has been if she can handle the smaller ice and physicality. She proved herself to some degree in the SDHL, which has bodychecking, this season, but there will be an adaptation. Still, getting Holopainen's skill to the PWHL would be significant.
6. Michaela Pejzlova, Ambria-Piotta
It seems more and more unlikely Pejzlova will come to North America. She hasn't tested herself against tougher competition in North America or the SDHL, but has dominated in Finland and Switzerland and remains one of Czechia's top contributors internationally, never shying from the competition. There's no doubt she can play in the PWHL, if she wants to.
7. Hanna Olsson, Frolunda
Sweden's long time offensive leader is only 26 and is capable of competing in North America. She's been surpassed with the Swedish national team recently by players who have made the jump to North America for college or pro hockey. She sees the ice well and is capable of contributing in the PWHL if she wants to. She has good size and Olsson's resume speaks for itself.
8. Andrea Brandli, Frolunda
The best goalie who has yet to play in the PWHL, Brandli would have been a lock to earn a roster spot this season had she declared. She'd be an upgrade for several teams and has already played in North America showing the angles of a smaller ice surface are no barrier. She has interest in the PWHL, and if another expansion occurs, there will be extreme interest to get her to the league. She could be a starter, or at worst a 1A / 1B in a tandem now.
9. Nadia Mattivi, Lulea
The reigning SDHL Defender of the Year and former Boston University captain could fill a bottom pairing defensive hole with just about any PWHL team with the ability to move up the lineup. She'll be a key piece for Italy at the Olympics where North American eyes will get to see the growth she's made the last year.
10. Estelle Duvin, SC Bern
The back-to-back PostFinance Women's League MVP with SC Bern, Duvin sees the ice well, has competed in North America, and continues to thrive wherever she goes. At 28, she could join the growing number of French national team members in North America.
Honourable Mention:
Hanna Thuvik (Sweden), Jennina Nylund (Finland), Rahel Enzler (Switzerland), Ida Boman (Sweden), Valeria Tarakanova (Russia), Valeria Ivanova (Russia), Olga Sosina (Russia), Anna Shibanova (Russia), Nina Pirogova (Russia), Maria Batalova (Russia), Sofie Lundin (Sweden), Elin Svensson (Sweden), Linnea Johannson (Sweden), Ida Kuoppala (Finland), Andrea Dahlen (Norway), Nicoline Jensen (Denmark), Emily Nix (Germany), Sinja Leeman (Switzerland), Clara Rozier (France), Daria Gleißner (Germany), Ronja Hark (Germany), Carina Strobel (Germany), Lucia Haluskova (Slovakia).