2025-26 PWHL Season Preview: Ottawa Charge

After pushing all the way to the Walter Cup Final last spring, the Ottawa Charge return for the 2025–26 campaign with a new challenge: proving they can do it again, this time with a thinner roster.

This isn’t the same Ottawa team that stormed through the playoffs last year. Expansion and free agency reshaped the depth chart in a big way. But the core leadership remains intact, and the team’s identity hasn’t gone anywhere.

With a mix of proven veterans, high-upside rookies, and new international talent, the Charge enter this season with a clear mission: stay in the playoff contender conversation.

The Roster:

*Denotes returning players

Forwards (13):
Emily Clark *
Peyton Hemp
Taylor House *
Gabbie Hughes *
Brianne Jenner *
Fanuza Kadirova
Rebecca Leslie *
Mannon McMahon *
Anna Meixner *
Kateřina Mrázová *
Anna Shokhina
Alexa Vasko *
Sarah Wozniewicz

Defenders (7):
Rory Guilday
Brooke Hobson
Sam Isbell *
Jocelyne Larocque *
Stephanie Markowski *
Kathryn Reilly
Ronja Savolainen *

Goaltenders (3):
Sanni Ahola
Gwyneth Philips *
Kendra Woodland

Reserves (2):
Vita Poniatovskaia (D)
Olivia Wallin (F)

Staff:
Mike Hirshfeld (General Manager)
Carla MacLeod (Head Coach)
Haley Irwin (Assistant Coach)
Juuso Toivola (Assistant Coach)
Pierre Groulx (Goaltender Coach)
Greg Houde (Video Coach)

Player to Watch: Fanuza Kadirova

The most intriguing name in camp might be Fanuza Kadirova. The 27-year-old Russian forward was drafted 45th overall and brings Olympic and World Championship experience to Ottawa’s forward group.

Kadirova and Anna Shokhina have played together for years in Russia. Now, they’ll try to recreate that chemistry on North American ice. It’s early, but the signs are encouraging.

Kadirova’s speed, confidence, and shot have stood out in practice and in game action. Even as she adjusts to the smaller ice and language barrier her impact has been immediate. Carla MacLeod had nothing but praise: “You can see when they’re out on the ice, they’ve got the capacity to play the game at an elite level. Now it’s about learning the game at this level in this league, because it is unique.”

If she settles in quickly, Kadirova could be the breakout scorer Ottawa needs in its top six.

Forward Overview

Ottawa’s forward group still leans on its core: Brianne Jenner, Emily Clark, Kateřina Mrázová, Gabbie Hughes, and Rebecca Leslie all return and are expected to lead the way at both ends of the ice. The Meixner–Leslie–House line showed early chemistry in preseason and could be a reliable third line.

But the departures of Vanišová, Serdachny, and Darkangelo have left the group thinner overall, especially in scoring depth. That puts early pressure on Fanuza Kadirova and Anna Shokhina to translate their international success to the PWHL quickly. If they can, Ottawa may have one of the league’s more unpredictable second lines.

Beyond that, players like Taylor House, Mannon McMahon, and Anna Meixner will need to step into bigger roles to keep Ottawa competitive night-to-night. This group has top-line talent, but it’ll be the middle six that determines their ceiling.

Defensive Depth

Jocelyne Larocque and Ronja Savolainen will continue to lead the Charge defense. Stephanie Markowski and Samantha Isbell return as well, bringing familiarity to the group.

New faces include Rory Guilday, the team’s first-round pick who is coming off a strong collegiate career at Cornell, and Brooke Hobson, signed through free agency. Both will be asked to contribute right away, especially with the losses of Tejralová and Bell.

The team signed Kathryn Reilly out of camp as a right-shot option — something this roster could use more of, but with Vita Poniatovskaia on the reserve and Jessica Adolfsson released, blue line balance remains a question heading into opening night.

Goaltending Outlook

With Maschmeyer off to Vancouver, Gwyneth Philips is now the clear No. 1 in goal, and that’s good news for Ottawa. She was one of the league’s most consistent goalies last season, and she looked sharp again in camp and at the Rivalry Series.

Behind her, with Logan Angers being released and Kendra Woodland signed, the backup role appears to belong to Sanni Ahola. Ahola was calm and composed in her preseason debut, turning aside everything she faced. “Super fun,” she said after the game. “I tried not to think about it too much… just go with the flow and use my own strengths.”

If Philips can stay healthy and Ahola continues to adjust well, goaltending should be a steady point for Ottawa again.

Season Prediction

The Ottawa Charge are still a playoff-caliber team. They’ve kept their leadership group, added international talent with upside, and have a goalie who can steal games.

But depth is a real concern. Injuries or slow starts from new additions could expose the team in key spots. That means the Charge will need early contributions from different players.

If everything clicks, Ottawa could absolutely find itself in the playoff mix again. But the path is a lot narrower this time.

Prediction: Fringe playoff team with Walter Cup potential, but only if the new pieces settle in fast.