Susanna Tapani signs with Linköping HC

Finnish forward Susanna Tapani has signed with Linköping HC for the playoffs, the club announced Thursday. She joins her Naisleijonat teammate, goaltender Eveliina Suonpää.

Tapani, 25, changed Naisten Liiga clubs this season, moving from Rauman Lukko to TPS in her home base of Turku. She led TPS in goals this season with 24 and tied for first in points with 32. She’s a gifted skater with excellent vision and a well-rounded skill set. Tapani also is a three-sport athlete with international medals in ice hockey, inline hockey, and ringette.

With the exception of one year at the University of North Dakota, Tapani has played her whole career in Finland. Joining Linköping for the playoffs gives her a chance to test the SDHL without making a full-year commitment. Meanwhile, the club gets to shore up an injured roster with one of the best centers in the game today.

There’s no telling how long the experiment will last, though, as Linköping were humbled Wednesday, Feb. 13, with a 0–5 shutout loss at home against Djurgården. If Djurgården sweeps the best-of-five series, Tapani’s time in Sweden could end as soon as Sunday.

Linköping continue their quest for an SDHL championship in Stockholm on Feb. 16 in game two of the quarterfinals.