Engaged Hockey Stars Ronja Savolainen and Anna Kjellbin Navigate Rivalry on Ice, Partnership Off It
In the world of professional women's hockey, a unique story is unfolding as two elite athletes prepare to face off on the international stage while planning a life together off the ice. Finnish defender Ronja Savolainen and Swedish player Anna Kjellbin, who announced their engagement in 2024, find themselves in a remarkable position: they are fierce competitors in hockey and devoted partners in their personal lives.
A Tale of Two Lives: Rivalry and Romance
Savolainen, who plays for the Ottawa Charge in the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL), and Kjellbin, a member of the Toronto Sceptres, are already familiar opponents in what has become known as the PWHL's Battle of Ontario. This domestic rivalry is set to intensify on the global stage at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina, where Savolainen will represent Finland and Kjellbin will suit up for Sweden.
The couple first met in 2019 while playing for different teams in the Swedish Women's Hockey League. Their relationship blossomed over the years, leading to their engagement announcement five years later. Despite their shared passion for hockey, they have developed a clear boundary between their professional and personal spheres.
Maintaining Separation Between Sport and Personal Life
In a recent one-on-one interview, Savolainen emphasized how she and Kjellbin keep their hockey lives distinct from their relationship. "She's my enemy out there. I'm not out there thinking that she's my fiancée – that's a separate life," Savolainen explained. "I always want to win and make sure she's the one who's going home with the loss."
This competitive mindset doesn't spill over into their personal time. According to Savolainen, there's no pre-game trash talk between them, and they rarely discuss hockey when they're together off the ice. "It's just fun to have a normal life and when we're at home, we're just talking about something completely different," she noted.
Broader Context in Women's Hockey
Savolainen acknowledged that her story has drawn comparisons to popular media portrayals of hockey rivalries, specifically mentioning the hit Canadian TV series Heated Rivalry. However, she pointed out that her experience in women's hockey has been fundamentally different from the challenges faced by fictional male players in such narratives.
"In women's hockey, it's more open to be gay and that kind of stuff," Savolainen observed, highlighting what many see as a more inclusive environment in the women's game compared to some men's hockey circles.
Olympic Aspirations and Professional Commitments
The upcoming Olympics will mark Savolainen's third appearance at the Games, while it will be Kjellbin's Olympic debut. Their selection to their respective national teams underscores their status as elite athletes in women's hockey.
As they prepare for both their professional commitments and personal future together, Savolainen and Kjellbin represent a new generation of women athletes who navigate complex dual identities – as competitors on the ice and partners in life, all while contributing to the growing visibility and acceptance of LGBTQ+ relationships in professional sports.
Their story comes at a time when women's hockey is experiencing unprecedented growth and recognition, with the establishment of the PWHL providing stable professional opportunities for elite players across North America and Europe.
