Ottawa’s professional women’s hockey team will look a lot different when it takes the ice next season.
As the offseason gets underway, the Ottawa Charge have already lost nine players through free agency and the Professional Women’s Hockey League’s (PWHL) expansion.
Last week, the PWHL held an expansion draft that allowed the league’s two newest franchises in Vancouver and Seattle to each select two players from one of the six pre-existing teams.
As such, the Charge lost defenceman Ashton Bell and goalie Emerance Maschmeyer to the yet-to-be-named PWHL Vancouver.
Bell was selected with the first pick of the expansion draft. Despite only posting six points in 27 games last season, she’s widely considered to be one of the league’s pre-eminent shutdown defencemen.
While Maschmeyer, a fan favourite, was one of Charge’s first rostered players when the league was established in 2023. However, coming off an injury-riddled season, Maschmeyer was left unprotected in favour of 24-year-old netminder Gwyneth Philips, who helped lead the Charge to the Walter Cup finals last season.
Ottawa also opted to protect forward Emily Clark and defenceman Ronja Savolainen, making the three players ineligible to be selected during the expansion draft.
Meanwhile, PWHL Seattle selected defenceman Aneta Tejralová and forward Danielle Serdachny, the latter of whom was the league’s second-overall pick in last year’s draft.
Serdachny, who has represented Canada at the women’s world hockey championship, struggled in her rookie campaign, only scoring two goals and eight points in 30 games. During the Charge’s playoff run, Serdachny saw her playing time decrease, as she was relegated to the fourth-line.
In a statement on social media, Serdahcny said she was “endlessly grateful” for her stay in the nation’s capital.
“Playing for such a great organization and in front of incredible fans was truly a dream come true,” she said. “ I’ll cherish all the memories and friendships for a long time.”
“Thank you for everything, Ottawa.”
The Charge’s depth chart was further impacted by several players who decided to sign with other teams during this summer’s free agency period, including Tereza Vanisova, Ottawa’s leading scorer last season, who signed a two-year deal in Vancouver.
With 15 goals last season, Vanisova was the second-leading goal scorer across the entire league, behind only Marie-Philip Poulin of the Montreal Victoire.
“I am delighted to have signed my contract with PWHL Vancouver and appreciate the trust the organization has shown in me,” said the 29-year-old Vanisova in a statement.
Ottawa will also be without forward Shiann Darkangelo, who signed a two-year contract in Montreal, as well as Jincy Roese and Zoe Boyd, who have reportedly signed with the New York Sirens and Boston Fleet, respectively.
Natalie Snodgraass, who has spent the last two years in Ottawa, also signed with PWHL Seattle on Wednesday.
The departures leave Ottawa with only three defencemen currently under contract, as well as glaring holes up front.
General Manager Mike Hirshfield will look to bolster the roster at the league’s annual entry draft later this month, which will be held at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Ottawa.
As the current Walter Cup finalists, the Charge hold the fifth-overall pick in the draft, where collegiate phenoms Kristyna Kaltounkova, Casey O’Brien and Haley Winn are considered among the most highly-touted prospects.
The draft will take place next Tuesday (June 24) at 7 p.m. ET. According to the league, tickets are already sold out.
