Gwyneth Philips Signs Two-Year Contract Extension
The Ottawa Charge have locked up Playoff MVP Gwyneth Philips to a two-year contract extension.
When the Charge needed someone to step up, Gwyneth Philips delivered. Now, Ottawa’s breakout rookie and playoff hero is here to stay for three more seasons.
The team announced Monday morning that Philips has signed a two-year contract extension, keeping her in the nation’s capital through the 2027–28 PWHL season. It's a historic move for Ottawa, the first time the franchise has extended a player who was already under contract for the upcoming season.
“This is a very exciting day for our organization,” said General Manager Mike Hirshfeld. “Anyone who watched the PWHL Playoffs last year saw what an incredible player Gwyneth is and how she can impact a game.”
Impact might be an understatement. At just 25, Philips turned heads around the league in her rookie year. She earned finalist nods for Rookie of the Year and Goaltender of the Year, and landed a spot on the league’s All-Rookie Team.
Still haven't stopped thinking about this one 😮💨
— Ottawa Charge (@PWHL_Ottawa) April 7, 2025
Gwyneth Philips goes cross-crease to keep this one out for March's Rheem Canada Save of the Month! pic.twitter.com/yymJ4kFqE3
Then came the playoffs.
Philips started all eight games and never lost in regulation, backstopping Ottawa past Montréal and into a tightly contested Walter Cup Final against Minnesota. Her stat line, 1.23 GAA, .952 SV%, 4–0–4 record, earned her the Ilana Kloss Playoff MVP award. It was a star-making performance, and one that clearly cemented her place in Ottawa’s plans.
Oh my god, Gwyneth Philips pic.twitter.com/0jp24Cqwpj
— Hailey Salvian (@hailey_salvian) May 26, 2025
“When we drafted her, we believed she had the ability to be one of the top goaltenders in the world,” Hirshfeld added. “After her performances last year, we’re even more convinced.”
Philips, for her part, sounds just as thrilled to stay.
“I’m super excited to be staying in Ottawa,” she said in the team’s release. “From the very start, I saw how special this city is and how supportive the fans are. I’m so honoured to play in front of the best fans in the league and represent Canada's capital city. November can’t come soon enough!”
And if Philips’ rookie season wasn’t enough, she brought that same calm under pressure to the 2025 IIHF Women’s World Championship. When Team USA starter Aerin Frankel went down in the gold medal game against Canada, Philips stepped in and helped secure the overtime win.
She’s no stranger to stepping up. And now, she’ll do it for Ottawa for three more seasons.
With Philips and top 2025 draft pick Rory Guilday both signed through 2027–28, the Charge are quietly building a core worth watching. The offseason may have brought change, but one thing is certain: the crease in Ottawa is in good hands.
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