Viivi Vainikka, one of the top available players on the market for the 2025 PWHL Draft, signed a contract with Brynäs in the SDHL, confirming she would not be declaring for the draft.
While she isn't coming now, the PWHL remains in Vainikka's future plans.
Finland’s Vainikka had a fantastic season, with 44 points in 36 games for Luleå, finishing third in the SDHL.
The 23-year-old isn’t ready to leave the SDHL yet.
She said, “Right now, my focus and everything is on the finals here. But next season and what I'm gonna do has been on my mind a lot, and especially where I am going to be next season. I think for me, being in an environment where I know that it's a good place to be.”
Vainikka has played with Luleå HF for the past five seasons. With what she describes as reliable games, good competition and a ‘good league’, her decision has been made to stay another year in the league.
“My decision for now comes because of hockey and [based on] what’s the best decision for myself to do and how I feel,” Vainikka said.
Vainikka plans on spending the next year with the SDHL Brynäs working on better preparing herself for the future. Her contract with the Brynäs does not have a PWHL opt-out clause.
“After five years in Luleå, I felt that I wanted a new challenge in my career," said Vainikka in a translated press release. "When I came into contact with Brynäs and Erika (Grahm), it felt really interesting right away, the generational change they initiated last season and what is happening in the organization really shows that they are serious about their investment."
However the PWHL isn’t out of her future. The league is currently in it’s second season, with six teams. The PWHL plans on expanding following this season, and has grown exponentially in the past two years.
For Vainikka, she still wants to play in the PWHL one day. She said, "That's my goal. That's my dream. I want to be there and play there someday, but I also wanna be ready when I go there. I'm still really young. I have many years in front of me.”
There are improvements she wants to make within the next year before she makes any decisions.
“I'm not too big. Being physical and being strong and that kind of stuff, are really important things,” she said in terms of goals to work on in the next season.
Although Vainikka decided not to declare for the PWHL draft this year, there are many other players that still plan to.
