Sanni Ahola

Sanni Ahola made history before playing a single PWHL game, becoming the first Finnish goaltender to sign in the league. Born in Helsinki in 2000, the left-catching netminder now wears number 1 for the Ottawa Charge.

Ahola spent five years in the NCAA at St. Cloud State University, from 2020 to 2025, appearing in 84 games and posting a .917 save percentage over that span. In 2024 she was named WCHA Goaltender of the Year and earned First Team All-WCHA honors; a Third Team selection followed in 2025.

Her international career with Finland runs alongside her college years. She backstopped her country to bronze medals at the IIHF Women's World Hockey Championship in both 2024 and 2025, was named a Tournament All-Star at the 2024 Women's Worlds, and was selected as one of Finland's top three players at that tournament. At the IIHF Women's U18 World Championships she recorded a tournament-best 1.81 goals-against average and .929 save percentage, again earning a spot among Finland's top three players. She has represented Finland at three consecutive Women's World Championships and made her Olympic debut at the 2026 Games in Italy, starting four of Finland's five games.

Her path to the professional level began well before the NCAA. In 2018–19 she posted the best save percentage in the Mestis (W) league at .962 while playing for HIFK, helping the club earn promotion to Neisten Liiga for the following season.

Off the ice, Ahola majored in Biology — Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution, and is described as a committed animal lover with an interest in working with animals in the future.