It looks like PWHL Ottawa is set to bring in another asset up front prior to the roster freeze.
According to Ian Kennedy of The Hockey News, Ottawa has signed forward Malia Schneider.
One move that's happened today in the #PWHL prior to the trade deadline and roster freeze.
— Ian Kennedy (@IanKennedyCK) March 18, 2024
PWHL Ottawa has signed Malia Schneider, who started the season as a reserve with the team before heading to Sweden.
Schneider was initially placed on the team’s reserve list coming out of training camp. However, in order to ensure playing time, she elected to find a temporary home elsewhere, signing with Brynas IF of the SDHL in Sweden. Since Ottawa has only 22 players signed to SPAs, the team does not need to move anyone to make a spot for the Millarville, Alberta native.
The 25-year-old ended up playing 12 games with Brynas, notching five goals and five assists. Schneider played seven playoff games, before her team was eliminated by MoDo in the semifinals.
This is Schneider’s second season in professional hockey. She spent last season with Team Sonnet in the final season of the PWHPA Dream Gap Tour. Prior to turning pro, she spent five seasons at Colgate University, serving two seasons as captain and helping the Raiders make it to the NCAA Championship Game in her freshman season in 2017-18.
It is not yet known when Schneider will make her debut with Ottawa, but she will certainly add some depth for a team trying to stay in the postseason race.
Currently, Ottawa (5-0-6-6) is fifth in the league standings, just one point back of Boston the fourth and final playoff spot in the PWHL. They are set to take on last-place New York in Connecticut on Wednesday.