The inaugural six PWHL teams have taken the first step in the expansion process by submitting and announcing their three initial protected players. These picks make those players unavailable to the new Seattle and Vancouver franchises.
The Ottawa Charge have made it official, protecting goaltender Gwyneth Philips, defender Ronja Savolainen, and forward Emily Clark. Let’s take a closer look at what these choices mean for the team.
Ottawa’s Protected Core
Gwyneth Philips was an essential part of Ottawa’s run to the playoffs, and was instrumental in helping the team advance to the Finals. Philips stepped into the starter’s role and didn’t look out of place for one moment, giving the team in front of her a boost in confidence. Protecting her gives the team a foundational player to build around.
Ronja Savolainen is a tough defender who brings leadership and valuable international experience to the table. Before drafting her last season, GM Mike Hirshfeld emphasized improving the defence and Savolainen is a big step towards that. Having her signed for an additional two seasons certainly helps.
Emily Clark was Ottawa’s best player in this post season not named Gwyneth Philips and has been so since day one, having never missed a game for the club since its inception. Clark is the engine that drives the offence, who brings veteran leadership, not always in what she says but always in what she does, both on and off the ice.
Key Players Left Unprotected
As with every team, Ottawa left some key players exposed, and it’ll be tough to see them wearing a different jersey next season.
Ashton Bell had a remarkable playoff run, raising her game to the international level fans expect. Defensively sound, she consistently limited players to the outside and blocked shots to help secure games.
Brianne Jenner, the captain, has been vital to the team’s early success. She isn’t the loudest voice in the room, but steps up and leads by example on the ice. Jenner, a foundational player in this league, has also played a key role in connecting the team with the Ottawa community.
Emerance Maschmeyer might be the toughest loss of all. She chose Ottawa and has embraced the fans just as they have embraced her. Her steady often made the difference in tight games and she was a huge asset to the team and the organization more broadly. One could not have asked for a better person, or teammate.
Pick Four: Who Makes the Cut?
This is just the first hurdle. During the expansion draft, following the team losing their second player, each team will then be able to select one additional player, bringing the total number of protected players to four. Let’s look at the options.
The clear cut pick should be Ashton Bell, but there is a good chance that she’s off the board by that point. If Bell remains available, select her as quickly as possible and don’t look back. If not, this is where the team could make an important decision down the middle.
By selecting forward Gabbie Hughes, the team would be protecting a player who was instrumental in limiting the top lines of both Montreal and Minnesota during the team’s playoff run. Though Hughes doesn’t always appear on the scoresheet, she does many of the little things right and building around her could help take the team to the next level.
Kateřina Mrázová would also be a great selection with the fourth pick, despite an injury-plagued season. She is a driving force offensively, specifically on the power play, which was an area that Ottawa struggled mightily with all season long and was a difference maker (in the wrong way) during their playoff run.
As the PWHL enters its first major expansion phase, Ottawa’s initial protection list offers a glimpse into the tough decisions teams across the league are facing. Depth has become both a strength and a challenge to the team. With the Exclusive Signing Window set for June 4 to 8 and the Expansion Draft scheduled for June 9, the coming days will reshape rosters across the league and set the tone for what’s next. For Ottawa and the rest of the league, the future is arriving fast and it’s only getting more competitive from here.