PWHL Opener Another Moment in Emma Sӧderberg‘s Game Changing Year

Emma Sӧderberg left the NCAA as one of her program’s best ever, signed a contract, was drafted, signed another contract, and now makes her PWHL debut. It’s been a game changing year

Emma Sӧderberg was on top of the world.

Walking away from the University of Minnesota Duluth holding the fifth-most wins in the history of the NCAA (54) while posting a .924 save percentage in the 2023 IIHF World Championship for Sweden, the standout netminder had her eyes set on taking her talents to the professional level.

After signing a two-year contract with the Connecticut Whale of the PHF, Sӧderberg could feel her dreams coming true—until she couldn’t.

In June of 2023, the PHF collapsed, leaving hundreds of players like Sӧderberg unsure of their respective professional hockey futures. With rumors spreading around the women’s hockey world regarding the development of a new league, Sӧderberg got back to work, waiting along with the world’s best players for the future of their beloved sport.

“In the summer, I didn’t know what was going to happen,” Sӧderberg said. “I was just hearing about what they were aiming to do with this league, I was willing to wait around. I just kept working out and staying in shape and preparing myself for what’s to come.”

Sӧderberg soon learned of the formation of the PWHL and the potential it had to take the women’s hockey world by storm. It was a no-brainer to wait it out.

“Hearing from people (about) what this league was aiming to do, I couldn’t get the opportunity to compete with the best players in the world on a daily basis,” said Sӧderberg. “That’s why I was willing to take a bet on it and wait around to see if I would get drafted.”

When Sӧderberg heard her name called at the inaugural PWHL Draft in September, the journey was worth it. At last, she was a professional hockey player. Sӧderberg was selected 58th overall by Boston, and all the emotions took over.

“It was surreal,” said Sӧderberg. “I wasn’t expecting to get picked when I was, and hearing my name (I was) so happy and a little bit of relief because there’s so many good players out there, so you never know if you were actually going to make it. I heard Boston picked me and I was pumped because I heard great things about the city and was excited to come here.”

On October 21st, it was official. Sӧderberg signed a two-year contract with Boston, joining Aerin Frankel and Cami Kronish in an elite goaltending room. Through training camp and the practices ahead of the team’s season opener on Wednesday night, Sӧderberg has developed a special bond with her fellow goalies.

“I think we have a good relationship,” said Sӧderberg. “We have a lot of fun together and talking through different things. So far, it’s been really good between us.”

Sӧderberg's numbers throughout her storied career speak for themselves. She posted a 54-26-2 career record at UMD, setting the program’s all-time shutout record with 23. In the 2022-23 season, she posted a 1.39 goals-against-average and a .938 save percentage en route to WCHA Goaltender of the Year honors. Her performance at the World Championships slotted her on the Tournament All-Star team while being named Swedish Player of the Year. Sӧderberg credits UMD for the player she is today.

“That experience in general, leaving Sweden and being away from home, helped me grow as a person and I think the professional environment we had in college (was awesome),” said Sӧderberg. “We had all the resources we could get to develop our game. The program at UMD got me to where I am today, which is more mature, more confident, and developed my hockey skills in general.”

When Sӧderberg took to the ice at the Tsongas Center for the PWHL season, she’ll did so with all of the aspiring girls hockey players in the Boston area in the back of her mind.

“That’s going to help women’s hockey in general (as) an additional step to more leagues we already have and more ways for young girls to dream big,” said Sӧderberg. “This league might be the start of that.”