2025 PWHL Entry Draft Recap: Ottawa Charge

The Ottawa Charge entered the 2025 PWHL Draft with a clear mission: fill critical gaps left by the expansion draft and free agency while reloading with players who can make an immediate impact. With six picks, including two Russians and some of the most intriguing prospects available, the Charge stuck to their identity: physical, skilled, and international.

Here’s how Ottawa built its future on draft day:

Round 1 Pick 5 - Rory Guilday (D)

Ottawa hit a homerun with their first-round selection, grabbing shutdown defender Rory Guilday out of Cornell. The 22-year-old from Chanhassen, Minnesota brings size, toughness, and a winning pedigree to Ottawa’s blue line. A two-year captain at Cornell, Guilday helped guide her team to its first ECAC title in over a decade and finished her collegiate career with 52 points in 106 games.

“She’s a tall, long reach, tough defender that clears the front of the net,” said Hirshfeld. “She plays the way we want to play. She’ll be a natural beside Ronja Savolainen or Jocelyne Larocque. She always brings a lot off the ice.”

Already a three-time medalist with Team USA, including World Championship gold in 2023, Guilday is expected to step in and make an immediate impact on a revamped Ottawa defence.

Round 2 Pick 13 - Anna Shokhina (F)

Ottawa made headlines with their second-round pick, selecting Russian superstar Anna Shokhina. At 28, Shokhina is regarded as Russia’s top forward, but her status has been complicated by the nation’s continued ban from international play following the invasion of Ukraine. Still, her skill set was impossible for Ottawa to pass up.

“We had Anna Shokhina as the fourth most talented player in the draft,” Hirshfeld revealed. “We think she’s going to be a superstar in this league.”

Shokhina dominated Russia’s ZhHL last season, posting 73 points in 42 games with Dynamo-Neva St. Petersburg, leading them to the finals after capturing a championship the year prior. With a career points-per-game average of nearly 2.00, her offensive ceiling is undeniable, but transitioning to the speed and physicality of the PWHL will be the next challenge.

For a Charge team that lost firepower, Shokhina brings immediate scoring depth and international experience, reinforcing Ottawa’s offensive core.

Round 3 Pick 21 - Sarah Wozniewicz (F)

The Charge added grit, versatility, and a familiar face with the selection of Sarah Wozniewicz. The Edge School alum and NCAA national champion with Wisconsin reunites with her former Edge head coach, Carla MacLeod.

"I'm super excited to play under her again; she's a great coach," Wozniewicz shared after the draft. "It's definitely a familiar face to see, it's very comforting. It's a whole circle moment. I never thought she would be coaching in the PWHL when I was at Edge."

Wozniewicz turned heads from her days dominating the CSSHL, including a 52-point season en route to a league title, to representing Canada at the U18 World Championship. Known for her work ethic and responsible two-way play, she adds immediate depth to Ottawa’s forward group.

Round 4 Pick 29 - Peyton Hemp (F)

Ottawa continued to add depth down the middle by selecting Peyton Hemp, a proven two-way forward out of the University of Minnesota. Hemp has been a consistent presence for the Gophers throughout her collegiate career, praised for her strong skating, hockey IQ, and ability to contribute in all situations.

Known for her versatility, Hemp can play both center and wing, making her a valuable option for a Charge team that’s retooling its forward group. She brings natural leadership, having worn the C for Minnesota, and plays with the kind of relentless motor that fits Head Coach Carla MacLeod's system.

Round 5 Pick 37 - Sanni Ahola (G)

With their fifth-round pick, the Charge added one of the most intriguing goaltenders in the draft, Finnish standout Sanni Ahola. Coming off a strong collegiate career at St. Cloud State, Ahola built her reputation as a calm, technically sound goaltender with excellent reflexes and poise under pressure.

General Manager Mike Hirshfeld was quick to praise the selection: “We were a little surprised to see Sanni still available in the fifth round. We think she’ll be a terrific partner for Gwyneth Philips.”

With Ahola's experience and track record of success, Ottawa strengthens its goaltending depth, creating healthy competition in the crease for the 2025-26 season.

Round 6 Pick 45 - Fanuza Kadirova (F)

Ottawa rounded out its 2025 draft class by selecting Russian forward Fanuza Kadirova, a dynamic offensive talent from Dynamo-Neva St. Petersburg. Kadirova, like her teammate Anna Shokhina, has been a consistent scoring threat in Russia’s top league and arrives in Ottawa looking to prove she can translate that production to the PWHL.

Kadirova’s game is defined by her quick release, ability to find open ice, and offensive instincts. In Russia, she developed a reputation as a pure goal scorer, and Ottawa’s front office believes her upside at the pro level is significant.

“She’s a goal scorer,” Hirshfeld emphasized. “She’s going to have to deal with the physicality in this league, but we think the upside of where we picked her is really high.”

Final Thoughts

The 2025 PWHL Draft was always going to be a pivotal one for the Ottawa Charge. With key roster spots to fill and the event happening in their own backyard, the pressure was on, and so was the energy inside the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.

The crowd made its presence known early, with loud applause when Rory Guilday was selected fifth overall, and steady support throughout the night as Ottawa added six new players to the roster. From top-end defensive help to experienced international forwards and reliable depth, the Charge addressed some of the biggest gaps left by the offseason.

“We filled some holes. We’re in a really good spot,” said General Manager Mike Hirshfeld. “It was fun to hear the fans cheer the names of our new players.”

It wasn’t the flashiest draft, but it was efficient, and it checked a lot of boxes for a team that hopes to stay in the playoff picture.