Ottawa Charge Sign Defender Rory Guilday

The Ottawa Charge signed defender Rory Guilday to a three-year standard contract, the team announced Friday morning. Guilday was drafted by the Charge with the fifth overall selection last month.

Guilday prepares for her professional debut after four seasons at Cornell University. In 105 NCAA games, she averaged 0.5 points per game, with 19 goals and 33 assists for 52 points.

This season, Guilday helped lead Cornell to its first ECAC title in 11 years; she had nine points in 30 games, adding an assist on the championship-winning goal against Colgate. The Victory Press calls her "a stay-at-home defender from one of the most defensively strong programs in the NCAA."

Guilday also brings U.S. national team experience to the table, having won three medals at Women's World Championships as well as a gold medal at the U-18 level. She was left off the Worlds roster in 2025. Previously, she's also suited up in the Rivalry Series as well as at the Collegiate Series for the United States.

“We really like what she brings to the table," said Charge general manager Mike Hirshfeld in a league statement. "She’s a tall defender with a long reach, is tough and clears the front of the net, and plays exactly how we want to play."

Hirshfeld added that the team sees Guilday as a natural defensive partner for Ronja Savolainen or Jocelyne Larocque.

Guilday spoke about making the jump to professional hockey on the Rinkside Rundown podcast recently:

The Charge have now signed five of their six picks from the 2025 PWHL Draft. The team has 23 players signed for the upcoming season. Peyton Hemp is the lone Ottawa draftee still unsigned.