PWHL Ottawa was invited by Canadian Senator Kim Pate to visit the senate, marking another moment for the franchise in the city and country.
OTTAWA, ON -- PWHL Ottawa was invited by Senator Kim Pate to the Canadian Senate today and it wasn’t lost on the players as to how much this moment, and how much the city, has truly embraced the team.
“I just think of how fortunate we are,” Ottawa defender Jincy Roese said. “The support of the city of Ottawa. We’ve been able to meet the Ambassador and now to be held at the Senate, just the love and the excitement that they feel for us is incredible and humbling.”
On hand during the event was head coach Carla MacLeod, goalie coach Pierre Groulx, assistant Hayley Irwin, along with players Zoe Boyd, Becca Gilmore, Emma Buckles, Kristen Della Rovere, Daryl Watts, Rachel McQuigge, Malia Schneider, Samantha Isbell, Audrey-Anne Veillette, Gabbie Hughes, Jincy Roese, Natalie Snodgrass, as well as a number of members of the management team, including general manager Mike Hirshfeld.
This moment was an opportunity, first and foremost, to recognize the Ottawa franchise as being a founding team of the inaugural season of the PWHL. It was also a chance for a number of the Senate members to connect with the team and to share what this moment means to the city of Ottawa and how much this city is behind the team, believes in these players, and the impact that having all of these incredible athletes in this city will have on the future of women’s hockey, both in Ottawa and across the world.
The Senators had a chance to speak with each team member and to share their own stories about how they’ve been touched by the sport and what this meant for each one of them personally. It was clear how much this experience touched each one of the athletes who never expected to be in this kind of situation.
“For us to walk in there today, and to be so well received," head coach MacLeod said, “it was really, really special. To hear her words and the passion behind them infused a new energy in all of us. It was a really special moment for us and one that we’re really grateful for.”