The Ottawa Charge completed the largest trade in PWHL history, adding Michela Cava, Brooke McQuigge, and Emma Greco from Vancouver. The move reshapes the roster and reflects a continued emphasis on competitiveness and physical play.
On Sunday night, as Canada faced the United States for gold at the U-18 Women’s World Championship, Ottawa Charge general manager Mike Hirshfeld finalized a trade.
The largest deal in PWHL history saw Ottawa send Mannon McMahon, Anna Meixner, and Anna Shokhina to the Vancouver Goldeneyes in exchange for Michela Cava, Brooke McQuigge, and Emma Greco. According to Hirshfeld, the deal came together quickly.
“Michela Cava is a proven winner as part of the Minnesota Frost for the last two seasons, and we’re looking forward to adding her grit and compete to our group,” Hirshfeld said via league release. “Emma Greco is an experienced defender who will bring defensive stability and toughness to our blue line. As for Brooke McQuigge, she is a versatile player who can play both wing and center.”
Every trade requires giving up important pieces. For the players involved, that means saying goodbye to teammates and, more importantly, friends.
"Having a full season with Meixy and Mann last year, I got really close with them, so I'm gonna miss them a lot," said Brianne Jenner. "But it's part of the game, and obviously, some great players are coming in.”
Head coach Carla MacLeod echoed that sentiment.
“I think first and foremost, anytime you make a trade, there's always a heart component and three players that have really contributed to our organization,” she said.
The additions of Cava and McQuigge, who Hirshfeld expects to play key roles in the top-nine, along with Greco on the blue line, give the Charge a new look. Their physicality and competitiveness have reinforced a core part of the team’s identity since its inaugural season.
“You can look at Cava, she’s a player that, when you look at her history, she’s been able to find ways to contribute to teams winning and finding success,” MacLeod said, before turning her attention to the other additions.
“You look at Brooke, last year, just an impactful player down the stretch and throughout the season. She's just a workhorse. She likes to defend. She likes to go on offence, that well rounded player. And when you look at Emma, just that steadiness that she brings. She's big, she's physical, very mean in front of her own net.”
Cava, McQuigge, and Greco will be in the lineup when the Charge face the New York Sirens at the Prudential Center Tuesday night.