PWHL Hamilton signs Nelli Laitinen to three-year contract
One of the top European blueliners and exceptional rearguards in college hockey has inked her first pro contract.
On Monday, PWHL Hamilton announced that the team has signed defender Nelli Laitinen to a three-year contract, which will carry through the 2028-29 season.
Laitinen entered this year’s draft as one of the premier prospects on the back end, having established herself as a physical yet mobile defender, both in her time playing for the Finnish national team as well as at the University of Minnesota. The 24-year-old was Hamilton’s first-ever draft pick this past June, as she was taken sixth overall.
In a statement, Laitinen stated how excited she is to play in Steeltown.
“I’m extremely happy and excited to be playing in Hamilton for the next three years,” Laitinen said. “I absolutely can’t wait to get to Hamilton and get to know the city. I am excited to get to work with the team and play in front of our amazing fans.”
Laitinen enters the pro ranks as Layton enters the pro ranks after four successful years in Minneapolis. She further proved why she’s one of the top two-way defenders in all of college hockey, hitting the 20 -point mark in each of her final three seasons with the Golden Gophers, even captaining the team during her junior season in 2024-25. In her senior year, she posted her best season yet. In 33 games, she scored 10 goals and 30 points and was named a second-team All-American.
In 144 career games at Minnesota, Laitinen scored 22 goals and 71 assists for 93 points, finishing with a career plus-minus of +86.
Laitinen has also represented her country for several years, dating back to her days with the under-18 program. The Lohja native has represented her country at six IIHF Women’s World Championships and two Winter Olympics. She was a key part in helping Finland win the bronze medal at the Beijing Olympics in 2022, as well as winning bronze at three separate Women’s Worlds. She also won bronze at the 2019 IIHF Under-18 Women’s World Championship. Laitinen was one of the younger members on the 2019 Women’s Worlds team that infamously won the silver medal.
Prior to coming to North America, Laitinen also won two Auroraliga (formerly known as the Nastien Liga) titles in her native Finland.
With the signing, Hamilton has 15 players under contract for its inaugural season, which gets underway on Dec. 5.