Japanese Olympian Akane Shiga is back in the PWHL after the international veteran and former PWHL Ottawa forward signed a two-year deal with PWHL Detroit.
Akane Shiga is back in the PWHL after signing a two-year contract with PWHL Detroit.
The Japanese Olympian and national team leader spent the PWHL's inaugural season with Ottawa scoring two goals in 24 games. She also played in the PWHL's first ever game at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.
today announced that forward Akane Shiga has been signed to a two-year Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) Standard Player Agreement through the 2027-28 season. Shiga, who made history as the PWHL’s first-ever Japanese player in 2024, brings Detroit’s roster up to 16 players under contract for the team’s inaugural 2026-27 season.
The 25-year-old from Hokkaido, Japan, product played for Luleå HF the past two seasons, this year recording 38 points in 36 games and leading the team in playoff scoring with seven points in six games.
The two-time Olympian had three points in four games for Japan at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milan tying for the team lead.
She's represented Japan six times at the IIHF Women’s World Championships.
