Ottawa Holds Onto Core Talent as PWHL Grows
Ottawa's PWHL franchise, the Charge, has made its protection picks ahead of the league's landmark expansion — and three familiar faces will be staying put. Rebecca Leslie, Ronja Savolainen, and Gwyneth Philips have all been shielded from the expansion draft as the Professional Women's Hockey League grows from eight teams to 12 ahead of next season.
The expansion is one of the biggest moments in the short but electrifying history of the PWHL, which launched just two seasons ago to massive fan enthusiasm across Canada. Adding four new franchises means existing rosters will be thinned out — but Ottawa's front office made clear which players it considers untouchable.
Who Got Protected — and Why It Matters
Rebecca Leslie has been one of the more consistent forwards on Ottawa's roster, bringing both offensive instinct and veteran leadership. Her protection signals the Charge see her as a cornerstone of their identity moving forward.
Ronja Savolainen, the Finnish defenceman, has drawn attention for her two-way play and physicality on the blue line. Keeping a reliable defender off the expansion pool is a smart move for a team still building its culture.
Gwyneth Philips rounds out the trio — a goaltender whose presence gives Ottawa a dependable option between the pipes regardless of how the rest of the roster shifts.
What Expansion Means for the Charge
With four new franchises entering the league, every existing team had to submit protection lists before the expansion draft. Players left unprotected become available for the incoming clubs to select, which means roster depth across the board will be tested.
For Ottawa fans, the news that these three won't be poached is reassuring — though it also raises questions about which players weren't protected and could end up in a new city. The full fallout of the expansion draft will reshape the league's competitive landscape heading into what's shaping up to be its most consequential season yet.
Ottawa's Growing Hockey Culture
The Charge have quickly become a fan favourite in Ottawa, a city that bleeds hockey. After the excitement of the PWHL's inaugural seasons — which saw packed arenas and record viewership — the expansion feels like a validation of just how far women's professional hockey has come.
Ottawa sports fans, many of whom have been hungry for a winning team amid the Senators' rebuild, have embraced the Charge with real enthusiasm. Season-ticket demand has grown, and the team's protection decisions will be closely watched by a fanbase eager to see the squad compete at the highest level.
With Leslie, Savolainen, and Philips confirmed to return, Ottawa enters the expansion era with some stability — and plenty of anticipation for what comes next.
Source: Ottawa Citizen
