After a run to the Walter Cup Final that ended just short against the defending champion Minnesota Frost, the Ottawa Charge enter the 2025-26 season with plenty of questions. Key players departed through free agency and expansion, and while the team had a promising draft, this season could prove to be pivotal for head coach Carla MacLeod and her group as they look to bring home the title.
Coaching
Slow and inconsistent starts have plagued Ottawa over the past two seasons, so MacLeod’s ability to get this team firing right out of the gate will be one of the main storylines to watch. If the Charge stumble early, the question around MacLeod’s job security could become unavoidable, although last season’s playoff run may buy her some patience.
Roster Turnover
The Charge have lost major contributors in players like Tereza Vanišová, Shiann Darkangelo, Emerenace Maschmeyer, Ashton Bell and Aneta Tejralová, which will be difficult to replace. Led by captain Brianne Jenner, the focus now shifts to how returning players like Mannon McMahon, Gabbie Hughes and Kateřina Mrázová can elevate their play. Combined with how first-year players like Sarah Wozniewicz, Fanuza Kadirova and Anna Shokhina are able to adjust to the pace and physicality of professional hockey, this could prove to be the biggest factor in determining whether Ottawa remains a contender.
Special Teams
Special teams have been a rollercoaster for Ottawa. Their power play led the league at 25 percent in their inaugural season but dropped to a league-low 14.9 percent last year, while their penalty kill slipped to 80.2 percent. They scored just 11 power play goals and allowed 21 while shorthanded, a swing that defined too many games. Finding stability and consistency in this area will be critical to their success.
Defensive Pairings
On the back end, the pairing of Bell and Larocque was among the league’s best last season, and played a big part in their post season success. With Bell now gone, questions arise around who will be best suited to play alongside her. The team is also heavy on the left side, which at this point may force players into unfamiliar spots on their off side.
Scoring
Goal scoring remains an open question. Losing Vanišová and her team-leading 15 goals last season hurts, but a healthy Mrázová could help to fill that void. The addition of Russian forwards Kadirova and Shokhina, who combined for 130 points in Russia last season, should give Ottawa the offensive spark they have lacked.