PWHL Ottawa was the most active team at the PWHL trade deadline, making a pair of significant deals with the goal of "building the best team and winning championships."
Mike Hirshfeld and PWHL came out swinging on Monday’s deadline making the only two trades of deadline day. It started with a boom as Ottawa traded away stud defencewoman Amanda Boulier to PWHL for forward Tereza Vanisova. Hirshfeld was not done as he traded away fan favourite Lexie Adzija and the rights to Caitrirn Lonergan for PWHL Boston’s Shiann Darkangelo.
For Hirshfeld the deadline and the trades had a simple impact on his team moving forward.
"Both of these decisions and trades that we made were made strictly through that lens of building the best team and winning championships," said Hirshfeld. “A lot of hard work was put into these moves and we believe it makes us stronger now and in the future."
Hirshfeld explained that his team needed some added scoring punch and veteran experience to lead his team over the line especially in the third period where they have struggled all season.
He believes Tereza Vanisova who has 10 points in 17 games brings that to Ottawa.
“Great offensive talent and can help us score goals, that has been extremely difficult in this league,” said Hirshfeld. “We felt like this is going to really help us."
Meanwhile, Hirshfeld believes Shiann Darkangelo brings some added experience and leadership.
“In terms of Shiann, we were looking for a veteran player who has some experience,” sid Hirshfeld. “She's smart, she's hard working. She does all the little things really well, defensively, she's very sound, she wins faceoffs, she's strong on the puck. So that was really important for us.”
Hirshfeld acknowledged that his fanbase was up in arms about him trading both Boulier and Adzija but specifically Lexie Adzija who has become a fan favourite for PWHL with her play on the ice but also her style off the ice.
“Lexie was a major reason that we were able to cultivate that fan base so early,” said Hirshfeld. “Whether it was from her walk-ins or feisty play on the ice. She was an incredible resource for our organization. And we'll always be grateful to her for that.”
In the end, Hirshfeld believes his team who is one point out of a playoff spot is better on the ice and in the future.
"It was a tweak as opposed to an overhaul and we think we're really close to hitting on all cylinders."