PWHL Ottawa was plagued by bad bounces, bad calls, injuries, and bad luck last season. What has the organization done to fix those issues in year two? Here's a look.
PWHL Ottawa was plagued by bad bounces, bad calls, injuries, and bad luck last season. What has the organization done to fix those issues in year two? Here's a look.
No team had more bad breaks last season than Ottawa. They looked like a lock to make the playoffs, but one thing led to another, and Ottawa missed the playoffs. The team has a rabid fan base, averaging the most fans in the league, and they had almost every piece to the puzzle they needed, until their defensive depth failed.
Things look different this season after PWHL Ottawa added depth up and down their lineup, at all positions. Here's a look at how Ottawa's organization stacks up.
Offense
The loss of Daryl Watts from Ottawa's lineup is what most have focused on this offseason, and it's certainly a challenge to overcome, but looking at Ottawa's new group, with a healthy Katerina Mrazova, forwards Danielle Serdachny and Anna Meixner, and the depth of Rebecca Leslie and Alexa Vasko, this team looks more prepared to score from top to bottom. Tereza Vanisova never had the chance to hit her stride following a trade deadline deal, but she could be an impact player on the wing this year. Add in Brianne Jenner, Gabbie Hughes, Emily Clark, and Hayley Scamurra, and the team looks strong.
Defense
Ottawa looked like a difficult team to beat until the trade of Amanda Boulier, followed immediately by a season ending injury to Zoe Boyd, and their depth was depleted, and Ottawa couldn't hold on to a playoff spot. This year, Ottawa added Ronja Savolainen, Stephanie Markowski, and Madeline Wethington through the draft, and brought back Aneta Tejralova, Ashton Bell, Savannah Harmon, Jincy Roese, and Boyd. The new found depth gives Ottawa not only a strong top four, but talent in their bottom pair as well.
Goaltending
Emerance Maschmeyer was good but not great in year one, but Ottawa also didn't have trust in backup Sandra Abstreiter, and when they finally have her a start, she was injured a period in. Ottawa went out and addressed this need two fold drafting the consensus top netminder available in Gwyneth Philips. Expect a realistic push from Philips and with Logan Angers behind them in a third role, the crease looks like it will be competitive this time around.
Special Teams
Ottawa had the best powerplay in the league has season scoring on 25% of their opportunities, and their penalty kill finished a respectable third at 85.9%. There's nothing to suggest that Ottawa won't continue their success on both fronts. With their coaching staff remaining intact, they'll have stability in their approach to special teams, which should give them a boost off the hop.
Intangibles
The environment in Ottawa is electric. Those who want to be there, want to be there, and with a growing contingent of Czech's under head coach Carla MacLeod, and their top pick Danielle Serdachny signing for three seasons, and the cohesion of this roster looks to be strong and growing. While Watts was a loss, it was clear she didn't want to be in Ottawa turning down significantly more money to go to Toronto. Ottawa added size, they added skill, and they added character.
Rookies
Danielle Serdachny could turn out to be the top scoring rookie, and top scoring player from the 2024 Draft class for years to come. Beyond Serdachny, Philips, Markowski, Mannon McMahon, Wethington, and Angers are all additions that will boost Ottawa's depth. Serdachny's impact can't be overlooked in this equation.
X-Factor
Anna Meixner could be a later round steal from the draft, and her on ice impact could be a significant boost to Ottawa's lineup. The captain of Team Austria, Meixner missed most of last season with an injury, but was the SDHL's MVP the year prior. She's a veteran with good speed and playmaking abilities. If she's healthy, her ceiling is high, and she could be a player who adds another layer to Ottawa's attack.
The Brass
Mike Hirshfeld has beat by his own drum being unafraid to make trades, let players walk, and dip into the free agency pool to shake up his lineup. It's all been done with one thought in mind: culture. The focus in Ottawa has, from day one, been on finding not just the best players, but the right mix of players...and people. Hirshfeld continues place his trust in Carla MacLeod and her staff. The unique aspect to Ottawa's approach, is they continue to look long term in a league where short term contracts are the only option. Will it pay off?