PWHL New York signs Maja Nylen Persson to three-year contract
The team from the Big Apple has inked its top blueline prospect.
On Thursday, PWHL New York announced it has signed defender Maja Nylén Persson to a three-year standard player agreement, which will carry through the 2026-27 season.
How Swede it is! 🇸🇪
We’ve officially signed defender Maja Nylén Persson to a three-year Standard Player Agreement. Welcome to New York Maja!
🔗 https://t.co/rBEmJo3gcx pic.twitter.com/Talf3Cw2P3
Nylén Persson was taken by New York in the second round, 10th overall, of the 2024 PWHL Draft.
“I am happy to officially welcome Maja to New York for the next three seasons,” general manager Pascal Daoust said in a release. “New York fans will surely appreciate her great efficiency playing both without and with the puck. The maturity and calmness of her game will make our defensive unit even better. Having been a captain at a very young age, she will add a lot of leadership with her experience on the international stage, both at World Championships and the Olympics.”
The Avesta, Sweden native comes to North America after establishing herself as one of the best defenders in the world during her time overseas. Nylén Persson has played in the SDHL, the top women’s league in Sweden, for the last eight seasons. After starting her career with Leksands IF, she made the move to Brynäs IF, where she found both individual and team success. Nylén Persson has been named the SDHL defender of the year in each of the past three seasons, including leading all blueliners in scoring.
At the end of the 2021-22 campaign, she was awarded the Salming Trophy as the best defender in Sweden and named the best female player in Sweden.
“I’m super excited and happy to become a part of this organization and join their journey forward,” Nylén Persson said. “I can’t wait to meet all the amazing fans and play for the city of New York!”
Internationally, Nylén Persson has been playing for Sweden since she was 15 years old. She appeared in the IIHF Women’s Under-18 World Championship twice, making her senior national debut at the 2017 IIHF Women’s World Championship at the age of 16. She has played at the Women’s Worlds five times, and has played for her country at the past two Winter Olympics.
With the signing, New York has 10 players signed to standard player agreements for next season. Nylén Persson is the first player to be under contract through the 2026-27 campaign.