This is an exciting time for the PWHL’s Ottawa Charge franchise, which is feeling extremely optimistic heading into its second year.
Despite missing the playoffs in their first year, the Charge celebrated many accomplishments and, as noted by their head coach, Carla MacLeod, had great support from their loyal home fans.
“Ottawa is an incredible supporter of women’s hockey,” MacLeod said. “They have a lot of energy and passion for hockey. They sold out TD Place and we are thrilled to have them as fans. This is a moment we will all remember.”
A historical date in Ottawa’s franchise history is January 2, 2024, when in front of a record-setting crowd of 8,318, the Charge played their very first Professional Women’s Hockey League game which they lost 3-2 at home in OT against Montreal.
Shortly afterwards, on January 13, the Charge accomplished another first when on the road they pulled out a convincing 5-1 win against Toronto for the franchise first win.
“I really enjoy this group both on and off the ice,” MacLeod said. “The parity (in the league) is second to none. Every game is a coin toss. Our mission is to try and win every night.”
MacLeod also touched upon how that first year was also about the players getting the experience and learning what it takes to be successful.
“It’s about assessing what we are doing well and working on where we can get better,” MacLeod said.
Coming off a season that saw Ottawa finish fifth with a 9-9-4-2 record, they were awarded the second pick in the June 10, 2024, PWHL Draft, which took place at Roy Wilkins Auditorium in Minnesota.
Looking to make a big statement, the Charge selected second overall 23-year-old forward Danielle Serdachny from Edmonton, Alberta.
“I coached her on Team Alberta,” MacLeod said in reference to the 2019 Canada Winter Games, which saw Team Alberta win gold. “She is a student of the game who is striving to get better,” MacLeod said. “She has such a high ceiling. Physically, Danielle can be very dominant. She is also a great playmaker.”
Serdachny also had a standout collegiate career during which she was a star for Colgate University. Starting with Colgate in the 2019-20 campaign, Serdachny would go on to enjoy a collegiate career that saw her play 180 games where she scored 81 goals, along with 238 points and 93 PIMs.
Other players selected by Ottawa in the PWHL draft include Finnish defenceman Ronja Savolainen, taken in the second round, followed in round three by U.S.-born goalie Gwyneth Philips. Other picks included Canadian defenceman Stephanie Markowski in the fourth round, U.S.-born forward Mannon McMahon in round number five, with their final two draft picks being Austria forward Anna Meixner and, in the seventh and final round, U.S. defenceman Madeline Wethington.
“The draft is an incredible experience. The players we drafted are excited to play women’s pro hockey,” MacLeod said.
Back in September, the PWHL made it official that Ottawa’s team name starting this year would be the Charge. The new team name has received strong approval from MacLeod.
“Personally, I love it,” MacLeod said. “It represents who we are. I can’t wait to see the logo.”
Ottawa will drop the puck on the 2024-25 season on Saturday, November 30, in Montreal for what should be another action-packed, entertaining season of women’s hockey.
HEADER IMAGE: Ottawa Charge head coach Carla MacLeod. (Via Facebook)