The Ottawa Charge went to game four of the Walter Cup finals before their season ended. To repeat such a run, the Charge will rely heavily on contributions from new players who are untested in the league.
The Charge lost a lot this offseason, and fans were disappointed with what they were able to bring in to replace the departures. Still, Ottawa has a ton of potential on their roster, and if the puzzle pieces come together in the right way and newcomers can find chemistry with returnees, Ottawa can find their way back into the playoff hunt.
Offseason report cards are based not only on how each position and item is predicted to perform next season, but also on the offseason changes to the role. Here's a look.
Offense: B-
Ottawa still has Emily Clark, Gabbie Hughes, and Katerina Mrazova, three of their top forwards from last season. They watched Shiann Darkangelo and Tereza Vanisova walk in free agency, and forward Danielle Serdachny was plucked during the expansion window. All is not lost in Ottawa, as long as a few distinct chips fall into place. After a strong first season, captain Brianne Jenner looked a step behind last year and rarely factored into Ottawa's offensive attack. Ottawa needs their captain and the long-time Canadian legend to find her way back to being a consistent scorer this season. The next item is Ottawa's roll of the dice on Russians Anna Shokhina and Fanuza Kadirova. Both are veterans who should be able to contribute offensively next year, but it might not come immediately. The duo will need to adapt to the speed and physicality of the league. There are other wildcards up front for Ottawa including former Patty Kazmaier winner Elizabeth Giguere, and returning players Anna Meixner and Rebecca Leslie, who all have more offensive upside than they showed last season. If Alexandra Huszak can make the team in camp, there's potential she turns into another veteran steal for the team. Right now, there are questions, but there's also possibility.
Defence: C
Losing Ashton Bell, Aneta Tejralova, and Zoe Boyd hurt. Ottawa was able to grab big blueliner Rory Guilday in the opening round, which was a huge addition. They also signed Brooke Hobson in free agency but had to pay her like an All-Star to get the defender from New York. Ottawa's last solidified addition was the signing of free agent Norwegian defender Emma Bergesen prior to the draft. It's a downgrade from last season's core on the back end. There's really no way around that realization despite the return of Ronja Savolainen and Jocelyne Larocque. There's a realistic opportunity for two of Ottawa's camp invites, Vita Ponyatovskaya and Kate Reilly, to earn roster spots and push out Sam Isbell and Jessica Adolfsson, both of whom are signed, but can be released. In Reilly and Ponyatovskaya, Ottawa has the distinct opportunity to grab contributing blueliners that by all rights are better than some selected in the draft, and they are also both right-handed shots, something Ottawa lacks on their blueline. Ottawa's decision to not entertain free agents like Anna Kjellbin and Dominika Laskova could cost them as the season progresses.
Goaltending: A+
There's no question Ottawa is ready to go in net. They lost Emerance Maschmeyer in expansion, but they have PWHL Rookie of the Year and Goaltender of the Year finalist, and Playoff MVP winner Gwyneth Philips returning. Ottawa's biggest task this season should be to sign Philips to an extension, because if they lose her next offseason, things could be grim. Behind Philips is Sanni Ahola, who should provide a viable second option for Ottawa, and could conceivably carry Ottawa through an absence if injury strikes Philips. Philips will take the bulk of the starts, and she'll need to be every bit as good as she was down the stretch last season to keep Ottawa in contention.
Coaching: B
For their first year and a half, Ottawa wasn't a team that adapted well in-game, and when things weren't going their way, they folded like a cheap tent. There are many who love the motivation and positivity Carla MacLeod brings, but there are many who want more structure, more teaching, and a more tactical approach. Ottawa needs to be finding ways to bring the latter to the table more consistently. Ottawa was a far more effective team late in the 2024-25 season. finding ways to locate pucks, block shots, and stay disciplined. They'll need all of that and more next season.
Intangibles: B
The addition of Jocelyne Larocque last year went a long way for the team, but looking at Ottawa's lineup, they look like they'll be easier to play against this year. With no Darkangelo, Vanisova, or Alexa Vasko up front, the team lost an edge. Ottawa's leaders, including Jenner, Clark, Hughes, and Larocque, will need to keep this team pointing in the right direction through their ups and inevitable downs. Ottawa lost a lot of bids for new players, and others chose to leave, and the team is reviewing why that is the case. This team has always survived on positive in-room chemistry, and it's something they can build again this year with new faces.