Swedish goaltender Emma Söderberg signed a two-year contract with the Connecticut Whale of the Premier Hockey Federation, the team announced Tuesday. Here’s what you need to know:
- Söderberg, a recent University of Minnesota-Duluth graduate, set a career record for shutouts (23) and a new single-season mark (12) during the 2022-23 campaign. She graduated with the fifth-most NCAA career wins in history.
- She was named a finalist for the inaugural IIHF Female Player of the Year award for the 2022-23 season. The winner will be announced on June 1.
- The 25-year-old made her Olympic debut with Team Sweden in the 2022 Winter Olympics.
- Söderberg is the first goaltender signed by the Whale during the 2023 free agency period. The team did not disclose financial details of her contract.
🚨 A brick wall has appeared in our net! 🚨
We are proud to welcome IIHF Female Player of the Year Finalist Emma Söderberg to the Pod!
📰 https://t.co/cwbzxt0s79 pic.twitter.com/ZErPpzU3nQ— Connecticut Whale (@CTWhaleHockey) May 23, 2023
The Athletic’s instant analysis:
What it means for the Whale
This is a significant signing for the Whale — who have already signed Kacey Bellamy and re-signed MVP candidate Kennedy Marchment this offseason. Söderberg is one of the best goalies coming out…
