Hanna Olsson, originally thought to be out for 4-6 weeks, had season ending surgery this week to repair multiple torn tendons in her thigh.

The injury was sustained while Olsson’s Frolunda was playing Lulea in SDHL action. Olsson took a serious blindsided open ice hit from Finnish star Petra Nieminen, who was assessed a two game suspension for the hit.

In Sweden’s SDHL, body checking along the boards, and while moving in parallel with players is permitted. Open ice hits, such as the contact that injured Olsson, are not permitted.

Olsson, 24, the captain of Frolunda, scored 118 points in only 25 games last season to lead Frolunda to promotion from Sweden’s NDHL, to the top professional league in Europe, the SDHL.

This season, Olsson had six goals and seven points in her team’s first six games.

Olsson has been Sweden’s leading scorer at the last two World Championships, including scornig 11 points in seven games last April at the 2023 World Championships in Brampton, Ontario.

It’s unknown if Olsson will be able to return in time for the 2024 World Championships in Utica, New York, as the SDHL season is only scheduled to end days prior to the tournament, and Olsson has already been deemed out for the remainder of the SDHL campaign. If she is unable to return, it would be a significant blow to Sweden’s chances at the tournament.