Johanna Fällman, 33, left Luleå to travel with her love to Canada. What would happen to the career was uncertain. She showed her interest in the new professional league PWHL but was first given a cold hand.
– They had invitations to various camps and I didn’t get one. No one even wanted me on a try out. But through one of the goalkeepers here, who knows the coach, I got a foot in. She spoke highly of me and I got a try out place in the end, she tells NSD.
She has been trying out for PWHL New York, which is based out of Connecticut, for over a month and seven pitchers have competed for two spots.
“Throws you off a cliff”
Players were sent home one after the other and eventually she got one of the seats.
– You throw yourself off a cliff and hope it will go well. It has been very stressful and I am grateful that I am a little older and have been involved before. I feel super proud. Partly because I dared to do it and show myself that I am probably capable of more than I have known.
The teams Boston, Minnesota, Montreal, New York, Ottawa and Toronto will play in the PWHL initially. The league starts on January 1 and offers a minimum salary of just over SEK 380,000 per season.
Fällman has won a total of seven SM golds in his career, the latest last season, and has played in several WCs and Olympics.