As first reported by Ian Kennedy, the Ottawa Charge have extended camp invites to five players: Kathryn Reilly, Alexandra Huszak, Kendra Woodland, Alexa Vasko, and Vita Poniatovskaia. Each of these players brings valuable positional depth to a roster that continues to evolve. Here’s a closer look at the invitees.

Kathryn Reilly is a right-shot defender from Richmond, British Columbia, who adds strength and offensive upside to a blueline that has become heavy on the left side. A Quinnipiac graduate, Reilly tallied 98 points over 161 NCAA games and led all defenders in scoring in 2024. Her ability to read the play as it unfolds is a key part of her game and one that could quickly win over Charge fans. She’s fearless in the defensive zone, consistently blocking shots and making smart, efficient exits that generate scoring chances at the other end. Notably, Reilly did not play last season, but her high hockey IQ and two-way impact make her an intriguing addition.

Alexandra Huszak may be a familiar name to fans of international hockey. The Hungarian forward has long been the centrepiece of her national team, earning top scorer honours multiple times. Since 2017, she’s starred in the EWHL, where she’s piled up 247 points in just 103 games, establishing herself as one of the league’s most consistent threats. While known for her offensive output, Huszak’s two-way play often flies under the radar. She’s dependable in all situations and brings a championship pedigree to Ottawa, having won multiple EWHL titles.

Kendra Woodland, a goaltender from Kamloops, British Columbia, had a standout career at the University of New Brunswick. She leaves UNB with a 53-35-0 record, a 1.68 goals against average, a .941 save percentage, and a .602 winning percentage. Woodland helped lead the Reds to three straight titles and was named USPORTS Women’s Hockey Player of the Year in 2022-23. She also represented Canada at the 2023 Winter World University Games, helping secure gold. With Woodland entering the mix, the battle for the crease now features four goaltenders: Gwyneth Philips, Logan Angers, Sanni Ahola, and Woodland.

Alexa Vasko might be one of the more surprising camp invites, only because she had already established herself with the Charge. Signed as a free agent last offseason, she became a key part of Ottawa’s run to the Walter Cup Final. A gritty, bottom-six forward, Vasko brings the kind of intangibles every team needs: she wins faceoffs, blocks shots, grinds down opponents, and rarely takes a shift off. It was widely expected that she would re-sign, even on a short-term deal, but her camp invite suggests that her future with the club is still undecided. If another team extends an offer, it’s possible she could take her talents elsewhere.

Vita Poniatovskaia rounds out the group. A right-shot defender with offensive instincts, she played her college hockey at Yale after two seasons with the HTI Stars. Poniatovskaia brings size, poise, and puck-moving ability to the back end, all of which align with general manager Mike Hirshfeld’s vision for the team. She averaged nearly half a point per game in the NCAA and would add another layer of offence from the blueline, which would help a team that has struggled to generate scoring at times. She also brings international experience, having helped Russia earn a bronze medal at the U18 Women’s Worlds in 2019-20.

These five invitees bring a mix of experience, upside, and positional depth to Ottawa’s camp. Whether they’re pushing for full-time roster spots or looking to make a lasting impression, each one adds something distinct to a Charge team aiming to build on the momentum of last season.