PWHL Ottawa had good, bad, and ugly portions to their inaugural season, but they also built something special in the Canadian capitol.
PWHL Ottawa had good, bad, and ugly portions to their inaugural season, but they also built something special in the Canadian capitol.
How does one summarize something in a few words that meant so much to an entire community?
When the PWHL announced its six original teams, many were surprised that Ottawa was on that list. Many expected a place such as Calgary, a city known for incredible women’s hockey programs, but Ottawa? Many didn’t realize the history of women’s hockey in this city, dating back to the Alerts days!
The Ottawa Alerts were formed back in 1915 after men left to fight in the First World War and, while many thought negatively of the women’s game at the time, that quickly changed as they realized the skill level was incredible. That, once again, was the case for many when the PWHL was announced and, as history has repeated itself, the skill displayed this season has left no doubt about the place women’s hockey has in the sports landscape.
A fateful conversation between Gary Bettman and Stan Kasten sealed the deal, as Bettman spoke glowingly about the passion Ottawa has for hockey and how much the new league would benefit from having a team in the nation’s capital.
Consistent sellouts, averaging 7,496 fans over their 12 home games, and more than 8,000 seven times throughout the season, the excitement in Ottawa is palpable and unwavering. Viewership, across the league, has also been incredible, as the decision to broadcast all games on the league’s official YouTube channel has allowed access to so many additional fans.
In their inaugural season, PWHL Ottawa finished the season 8-1-6-9 and in fifth place, meaning they missed the playoffs after three unsuccessful attempts at securing a spot in the final four after returning from the international break, a break in which they went into on a four game winning streak.
Sure, it wasn’t always pretty. The team struggled closing out extra time victories, winning only once in those frames, and many questioned their resiliency when the pressure was on but the organization, lead by Mike Hirshfeld and Carla MacLeod, never doubted the group for a second. A leadership group which included the likes of captain Brianne Jenner and assistants Emily Clark and Jincy Roese, helped to create the identity for this team and, as an entire group, navigate and weather the difficult times.
Let’s break it down!
The Good:
Their powerplay: led the league for the entire season and was a consistent threat
Coaching: MacLeod never once wavered from her belief in this team, their systems and the players
The camaraderie amongst the players: they never stopped believing in one another, on and off the ice
The fans: players consistently commented on how the fans were the “7th player” out on the ice all season long and how they used that energy
The Bad:
Extra time struggles: inability to clinch games in extra time cost them valuable points throughout the season
Playing a full game: they come out strong, then rely on a late game surge which cost them wins at times
Injuries: Della Rovere, Gasparics, Boyd and Gilmore (the latter of which did return), were all on LTIR and tested the depth of the team early in the season
Standouts:
Daryl Watts: the Patty Kazmaier award winner showcased her offensive skills after a slow start and brought the fans out of their seats with every shift
Kateriná Mrázová: an unknown to many but that quickly changed, as the city saw how gifted she was with the puck and what a difference maker she can be in a game
Brianne Jenner: it would be difficult not to mention the captain in this moment, as her leadership, both on and off the ice, was crucial to the success of this team
Emerance Maschmeyer: started all but one game this season and despite a couple of struggles, she backstopped this team incredibly well and provided stability and confidence
Emily Clark: whether she scores or not, she is a threat on every shift. Unafraid to drive the net, play physical or be aggressive on the puck, she showcased all of her skills this season and endeared herself to the fan base
Ashton Bell: isn’t always someone who appears on the scoresheet but has consistently been their best defender. Calming presence on the backend and reads plays so well, along with incredible outlet passes and isn’t afraid to activate in the offensive zone
Hayley Scamurra: difficult not to acknowledge what she was able to do for this team. She’s someone who can drive the opponent crazy with how aggressive she is on the forecheck, and is equally good at creating chances and finishing plays
Savannah Harmon: relied upon heavily all season long to log big minutes and never missed a step, as she looked sharp, created chances and was a threat with her shot from the point
Aneta Tejralová: defense was a priority for Ottawa in the draft and as the fourth defender taken by the team, it shouldn’t be a surprise to see another one on this list. Tejralová provided stability on the backend and consistently helped to defend against the best lines in the game and made it look easy.
Any way you look at this season, you reflect with great pride. PWHL Ottawa brought a sense of passion and enthusiasm back to hockey in this community in a way that is difficult to put into words. Diversity and inclusion have been so key, as all feel welcome coming out and supporting their favourite players. This moment isn’t lost on the players either! Not for one second! They see the signs, they feel that passion and recognize how important the fans, especially in Ottawa, are to their success on and off the ice.
This inaugural season will be one the city of Ottawa won’t soon forget and has set a solid foundation for so many memorable seasons moving forward. There will be changes, but the passion, dedication and enthusiasm will only continue to grow.