PWHL Ottawa general manager Mike Hirshfeld discusses what Ottawa has built and the disappointment of missing the playoffs in year one. With the closing of the first season of the Professional Women’s Hockey League, we can take time to look back at what we’ve learned about all six teams (besides the obvious winners and losers). In January, all of the teams were unknown quantities, collections of players who had never been together as a unit – fans, arenas, announcers, even mascots and team colors all coming together in an uproar of uncertainty and anticipation. As the 24-game season progressed, some things became clearer. Star players emerged. Rivalries actually developed. Fan bases even argued about which was the most passionate. And the personalities of the teams came into focus, based on the cities themselves, the GM’s, coaches, the star players, and the fans. This is our series on the culture/identity of each team, beginning with PWHL Ottawa. Key Staff: GM Mike Hirshfeld, Coach Carla MacLeod Team leaders: Brianne Jenner, Emily Clark, Savannah Harmon, Emerance Maschmeyer We found out pretty quickly that PWHL Ottawa was a multi-national mix of players who had a fairly steep learning curve to form a cohesive unit. They seemed to have nothing but good vibes right from the start (easy when coach Carla MacLeod is at the helm) [https://thehockeynews.com/womens/pwhl/q-a-with-pwhl-ottawa-head-coach-carla-macleod] and their arena and home crowds were second to none. TD Place Arena was the consensus choice as the perfect size and atmosphere for a team, drawing consistent crowds of over 7,000. Even their team mascot, Lando, seemed like everyone’s favorite on social media. OFF-ICE VIBES, ON-ICE STRUGGLES On the ice, the results were a little mixed as they lost a number of overtime and one-goal games. Chemistry within the group rose and fell as lines changed, and a couple of players emerged as blossoming stars (think: Lexie Adzija and Katerina Mrazova). But when training camp signee Mikyla Grant-Mentis parted ways with the team, some rumblings began. Daryl Watts (loved by fans but somehow viewed as a rebel within league ranks) spoke up about being left off Team Canada for the Rivalry Series. The trade of fan favorite Adzija didn’t sit well with some. But keeping the focus on the group and staying balanced and upbeat was always the priority, and they navigated these speed bumps for the most part. All the while, Ottawa fans were proclaiming themselves ‘the best in the league,’ and the team’s social media reinforced that claim. Did they have the most passionate fans? The most vocal fans? More fan interaction events? With Ottawa’s lack of another major league sports team —except for the NHL’s Senators— this team certainly became a big focus. That slight chip on their shoulder was also a hallmark of the team in Ottawa. After all, they weren’t afraid to boo Poulin when she lined up for a penalty shot, proving that team loyalty comes first. The easygoing attitude of GM Mike Hirshfeld and the neverending positivity of MacLeod combined well to preserve Ottawa’s reputation as the happiest team in the league. When the line of Mrazova, Watts, and Brianne Jenner hit their stride, the playoffs looked like a strong possibility. THE CZECH CONNECTION Ottawa also leaned into its Czech identity, [https://english.radio.cz/czech-women-amongst-those-drafted-historic-first-professional-womens-hockey-8794861] drawing on MacLeod’s familiarity with that nation’s players. Aneta Tejralova anchored the blue line and Mrazova was a surprising breakout offensive star. At the trade deadline, they brought in Tereza Vanisova to provide some scoring depth, and she appeared to fit in nicely. “Obviously, our coach knows exactly what she brings to the table,” GM Hirshfeld said. “She is an incredibly exciting, top six forward who is under contract for next season as well.” [https://ottawasun.com/sports/hockey/pwhl/pwhl-ottawa-acquires-one-of-the-best-skaters-in-the-world-in-deadline-trade-with-montreal] TIGHT-KNIT TO THE END When they ultimately fell short, the team showed real emotion and affection for the others in the room. Sometimes losing in tough fashion is a bonding experience, and the players who remain next season were chagrined to know that they lost the chance to accomplish a historic first with the original group. As Emily Clark said, “Teammates that were total strangers at the start of the year feel like sisters now, so at the end of the day there’s way more positive than negative.” It’s as though nothing good can be easy for this team – their “ideal” arena situation is under threat now with plans in the works to completely redesign Lansdowne Park [https://thehockeynews.com/womens/pwhl/smaller-arena-in-the-future-for-pwhl-ottawa-a-significant-concern] where TD Place Arena resides. The arena is scheduled to be demolished in a few years and replaced by a new event centre, which will seat only 5,500 fans. Ottawa remains a story of a close-knit group that is beloved by their fan base. Losing Daryl Watts as a free agent put a little cloud over their sunshine, but the players they added at the draft, including Team Canada World Championship overtime hero Danielle Serdachny and rugged defender Ronja Savolainen should keep the smiles coming.
