Anneke Rankila Bio
Anneke Rankila (née Linser, born November 10, 1999) is an American ice hockey forward for the Toronto Sceptres of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL). Under her birth name, Anneke Linser, she played college ice hockey for five seasons at the University of Minnesota Duluth and participated in U18 international play for USA Hockey’s national women’s team. After her graduation from the University of Minnesota Duluth, she played for Djurgårdens IF in the Swedish Women’s Hockey League in the 2023–2024 season, prior to being drafted by Toronto in the sixth round of the 2024 PWHL Draft.
Early Life and Background
Anneke Rankila was born Anneke Linser on November 10, 1999, in Lino Lakes, Minnesota. She grew up in a family that valued sports, which influenced her early interest in ice hockey. Rankila attended Centennial High School, where she played high school hockey for four seasons. She graduated after the 2017–2018 season, serving as an assistant captain in her junior year and captaining the team in her senior year. In her final season, she was recognized as one of five finalists for the Minnesota Girls Hockey Coaches Association’s Ms. Hockey Award, which honors the top senior girls’ high school hockey player in the state.
Rankila enrolled at the University of Minnesota Duluth prior to the 2018–2019 collegiate season. During her time at UMD, she played five seasons for the Bulldogs, earning honors as a Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) Scholar Athlete and as a member of the WCHA All-Academic Team in each of her final four seasons. By the time of her graduation, she had played the third most games for the women’s ice hockey team in the university’s history and was part of teams that reached three consecutive NCAA tournaments, two of which advanced to the NCAA Women’s Frozen Four.
Path to Hockey
After completing her collegiate career, Anneke Rankila initially signed with the Metropolitan Riveters of the Premier Hockey Federation (PHF). However, following the dissolution of the PHF in the summer of 2023, she opted to sign with Djurgårdens IF to compete in the Swedish Women’s Hockey League during the 2023–2024 season. Rankila found early success in the SDHL, scoring 31 points in 36 games with a plus/minus rating of +29. Her performance garnered attention from PWHL draft watchers, leading to her selection in the 2024 PWHL Draft.
Anneke Rankila Career
Early Career (2024)
Anneke Rankila’s professional career began in 2024 when she was drafted by the Toronto Sceptres as the 36th pick in the PWHL Draft. Before joining the Sceptres, she showcased her skills in the SDHL, where she made a significant impact during her season with Djurgårdens IF. Her achievements in the SDHL set the stage for her entry into the PWHL, where she aimed to continue her development as a player.
Breakthrough (2024)
Rankila’s breakthrough moment came when she was drafted by the Toronto Sceptres. Following her wedding in August 2024, she changed her name from Anneke Linser to Anneke Rankila. Although she did not make the Sceptres’ opening night lineup for the 2024–2025 season, she secured a spot on the final roster and made her PWHL debut on December 1, 2024, in a game against the Montreal Victoire.
Notable Works and Milestones
Anneke Rankila’s signature work includes her collegiate career at the University of Minnesota Duluth, where she earned multiple academic honors and contributed to her team’s success in NCAA tournaments. Her transition to professional hockey in the PWHL marks a significant milestone in her career as she continues to develop her skills on a larger stage.
Anneke Rankila Award Nominations
Throughout her career, Anneke Rankila has received recognition for her performance, including nominations for various awards during her time in high school and college.
Anneke Rankila Awards Won
Anneke Rankila has achieved notable accolades during her ice hockey career, particularly during her collegiate years at the University of Minnesota Duluth, where she earned honors as a WCHA Scholar Athlete and was named to the WCHA All-Academic Team multiple times.
Anneke Rankila Family
Information regarding Anneke Rankila’s family background is limited, with no publicly available details about her parents or siblings.
Personal Life
Anneke Rankila married in August 2024, taking the name Rankila after her wedding. Details about her personal life beyond this are not widely publicized.