Eight Great Women's Hockey Players Who Have Never Played In North America

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This year several fell off this list joining the PWHL including Ronja Savolainen, Noora Tulus, Daniela Pejsova, Klara Peslarova, Anna Kjellbin, and Anna Meixner. Others like Lara Stalder played NCAA hockey but returned to Europe and have not been back since.

And the young wave of Hilda Svensson, Adela Sapovalivova, Jenna Ranunio, Tereza Plosova, and Sanni Vanhanen are about to join the NCAA. There is a small pocket however, that chose not to come to the NCAA, and have to date, not joined the PWHL. Some will declare for the PWHL Draft in the coming seasons shrinking this list again, and many will likely target the NCAA with the PWHL in mind moving forward.

Here's a look at the ten best players in the World who have never played in North America.

Eight Great Women's Hockey Players Who Have Not Played In North America​

1. Jenni Hiirikoski, Finland​

Perhaps the best defender to ever play the game. This is not a stretch given Jenni Hiirikoski has won seven Best Defender awards at the IIHF World Championships, more than any other defender. Hall of Famers Angela Ruggiero has four, and Geraldine Heaney has two. At the Olympics, Hiirikoski is a three-time All-Star and won two Best Defender Awards, a mark tying Angela Ruggiero. We may never see Hiirikoski come to North America, but if we did, even for a season, it would be a treat.

2. Petra Nieminen, Finland​

She's a power forward who has led the SDHL in goals three straight seasons, and is a mutli-year Wolrd Championship all-star. She'd fit right in in the PWHL.

3. Viivi Vainikka, Finland​

Speed and creativity are abundant in Vainikka. One more year in Europe and the Finnish forward should be in North America.

4. Elisa Holopainen, Finland​

SDHL MVP this season, Holopain led the Swedish league in scoring and took a significant step forward playing against stronger competition for the first full season in her career. Helping Frolunda win a title capped it off.

5. Sanni Rantala, Finland​

A lot of love goes to Finnish defenders Ronja Savolainen, Nelli Laitinen, and Jenni Hiirikoski. Not enough attention is given to Finland's 22-year-old budding star on the blueline. Three time Naisten Liiga First Team All-Star made her SDHL debut this year helping Frolunda to a title. She's going to be a star.

6. Hanna Olsson, Sweden​

Sweden's long time leading scorer, captain of HV71, followed by captain of Frolunda who guided them through promotion, and then to an SDHL title. Olsson might never leave Europe, but she should.

7. Hanna Thuvik, Sweden​

At 22, Thuvik is one of Sweden's most dynamic players. She continues to get better and should be a player who can thrive on a bigger stage.

8. Sara Cajanova, Czechia​

Next in a line that includes Aneta Tejralova, Dominika Laskova, and Daniela Pejsova, Cajanova is a good skater, and at only 22, her potential is still forming.

Honorable Mention​

Tereza Radova (Czechia), Julia Liikala (Finland), Daria Gleißner (Germany), Anna Shokhina (Russia), Elin Svensson (Sweden), Lisa Johansson (Sweden), Linnea Johansson (Sweden), Lara Christen (Switzeland), Vleria Ivanova (Russia), Olga Sosina (Russia), Ronja Hark (Germany), Emilia Vesa, Finland

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