The Ottawa Charge face uncertainty in the upcoming offseason following their defeat in the league final. Despite this, the team is optimistic that their winning formula will guide them through a potential rebuilding phase, with the entrance of four new teams into the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL).
After losing to the Montreal Victoire in the Walter Cup final, Ottawa is focusing on maintaining their resilient culture as they prepare for an extensive expansion process. Head coach Carla MacLeod emphasized the team’s consistent thread over the past three seasons and expressed readiness to embark on a new journey with a fresh set of players.
Unlike the previous year’s expansion draft that saw the Charge lose key players, this time the process for bolstering the rosters of the league’s new teams in Detroit, Hamilton, Las Vegas, and San Jose will be different. The multi-phase process will begin after the post-season, allowing teams to protect three players instantly, with further opportunities for players on expiring contracts to negotiate and sign with their current team or explore options with expansion teams.
Following various signing phases, where existing teams can only lose up to three players each, the Charge’s general manager Michael Hirshfeld mentioned ongoing discussions regarding the team’s future in terms of expansion. Fans are curious about the team’s next season venue, considering the uncertainty surrounding their current home at TD Place and the decision to not move to the new Lansdowne arena.
Hirshfeld assured fans that the team’s next home arena will be announced soon, highlighting the positive experiences at both arenas and expressing confidence in a favorable outcome for the team. Regardless of the venue, players like Emily Clark hold a special sentiment for TD Place and its fan-friendly environment that has been a cornerstone of the team’s success.