After the Draft: What Ottawa’s Losses Mean for the Offseason Ahead

The Professional Women’s Hockey League’s first expansion draft has come and gone and in Ottawa, it left a lasting mark.

The Charge lost four players during the expansion process: star goaltender Emerance Maschmeyer and defender Ashton Bell are heading to Vancouver, while forward Danielle Serdachny and defender Aneta Tejralová will be a few hours south in Seattle. All four were meaningful pieces of a team that just made a run to the Walter Cup Finals. Now, the Charge must regroup.

A Leader in the Crease Moves West

Emerance Maschmeyer was more than just Ottawa’s starting goaltender, she was a face of the franchise before Gwyneth Philips took over. From the opening puck drop of the regular season, Maschmeyer brought a veteran presence, Olympic-level experience, and quiet confidence that steadied the team through highs and lows. Even after an injury midway through the season, her influence never wavered.

Her departure to Vancouver marks the end of a short but significant chapter in Ottawa hockey history. Maschmeyer was a trailblazer both on the ice and in the community.

With Maschmeyer gone, Ottawa turns the crease over to Gwyneth Philips, the rookie sensation who stepped up when the team needed her most. A finalist for Goaltender of the Year and the 2025 Playoff MVP, Philips proved she’s more than ready for the spotlight. Still, the void Maschmeyer leaves is not just one of skill, but of identity and leadership.

Defensive Depth Takes a Hit

Ottawa’s blue line took a significant blow in the draft, losing both Ashton Bell and Aneta Tejralová. Bell, who played a quietly effective two-way game, showed growth and poise throughout the season and playoffs. Tejralová brought international experience and physicality, becoming a dependable presence in high-pressure situations.

With both players gone, and several free agents yet to be re-signed, the Charge will need to prioritize defense this offseason. While they still have Ronja Savolainen and Jocelyne Larocque signed, building a strong supporting cast will be crucial in maintaining the stability that carried them through a deep playoff run.

A Rising Star Leaves Too Soon

Danielle Serdachny’s departure may be the most bittersweet. A top collegiate scorer, Serdachny joined the PWHL with high expectations. Though her rookie season was quieter offensively, the upside remained evident, she’s a fast, skilled forward with elite vision and room to grow.

That potential will now be realized elsewhere, as Seattle signed her in hopes of building around some skilled forwards including Hilary Knight and Alex Carpenter. For Ottawa, losing Serdachny is a gamble, one that speaks to the difficult decisions expansion forced every team to make.

Projecting the 2025–26 Roster: Who’s Left, Who’s Next?

Despite the expansion losses, Ottawa’s core remains competitive. Here’s a look at what the current lineup could look like with players under contract or expected to return as RFAs:

Projected Lines:

Clark – Hughes – McMahon
Jenner – Mrazova – Meixner

Savolainen – Markowski
Larocque – X

Philips

There’s a clear top six foundation up front, and Gwyneth Philips will anchor the net, but the Charge still need to rebuild depth on both offense and defense, and find a backup goaltender. The free agent market offers some strong options.

UFAs Ottawa Should Consider Re-Signing:

• Rebecca Leslie – Local fan-favourite and playoff standout who brings skill, leadership, and chemistry.
• Tereza Vanišová – Speedy, top-scoring, versatile winger who fits well in Ottawa’s transition game.
• Shiann Darkangelo – Reliable veteran with faceoff skills and locker room presence.
• Alexa Vasko – Strong on the penalty kill, versatile bottom-six center.
• Zoe Boyd – Depth defender with experience and defensive responsibility.
• Logan Angers – Internal backup option; reliable, though the team may seek a more experienced alternative.

Free Agent Targets:

• Kati Tabin (Montréal) – Smooth-skating defender with puck-moving ability. Coming off a strong season in Montréal, she could bring immediate top-four value to Ottawa’s blue line.
• Kali Flanagan (Toronto) – A right-shot defender with pro and international experience, Flanagan brings mobility, and poise that could help stabilize Ottawa’s blue line.
• Claire Butorac (Minnesota) – Underrated winger with speed and scoring potential; ideal for the third line.
• Jesse Compher (Toronto) – A defensively responsible center with strong faceoff skills, Compher tallied 18 points this past season with Toronto and could anchor Ottawa’s shutdown or third line while contributing on the power play.
• Emma Söderberg (Boston) – Swedish national team goaltender with big-game experience; a good backup option behind Philips.

With several roster spots still open, the Charge have flexibility and urgency. The players listed above offer a mix of familiarity, positional need, and upside that could help Ottawa maintain its competitive edge.

What It All Means

The Charge still retain a solid foundation. They’ve kept stars like Brianne Jenner, Emily Clark, and Gabbie Hughes, and have one of the league’s top young goaltenders in Philips. But this offseason will be about more than just replacing names on a roster, it’s about reinforcing a team identity and culture that proved capable of competing at the highest level.

The PWHL's free agency opens on June 16 at 9 am ET.

The 2025 PWHL draft will take place on Tuesday, June 24 at 7:00 p.m. ET at Hard Rock Live inside the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Ottawa, Ontario.