Ottawa's PWHL franchise has its newest addition locked up for the coming season. The Ottawa Charge announced the signing of defender Vivian Jungels to a one-year contract, bringing the team's first-round draft pick officially into the fold.
Who Is Vivian Jungels
Jungels is a 22-year-old left-shot defender from Edina, Minnesota. Ottawa selected her 11th overall in the first round of the 2026 PWHL Draft, and the club has now made that pick official with a one-year deal.
"It's a dream come true to sign a contract, especially being with the Charge organization," Jungels said. "I'm just very grateful the Charge picked me and that they're giving me this opportunity to start my career."
A Standout at Wisconsin
Jungels spent four seasons with the University of Wisconsin, where she racked up 75 points, 19 goals and 56 assists, over 162 career games. She also won three NCAA national championships during her time with the program.
Her defensive numbers stand out just as much as her offence. Jungels holds Wisconsin's program all-time plus-218 differential, a record that speaks to how often her team outscored opponents while she was on the ice. She also led the team in shot blocks in each of the past two seasons, piling up 118 blocks over 80 games.
What the Charge Are Getting
Charge general manager Mike Hirshfeld praised Jungels' skating and hockey sense in announcing the signing.
"Vivian is a really smooth skater with a hockey IQ that is off the charts," Hirshfeld said.
For a Charge blue line looking to add mobility and puck-moving ability, a defender with Jungels' skating and shot-blocking résumé fits the bill. Her championship pedigree at Wisconsin, three NCAA titles in four years, also brings a winning track record to a young PWHL franchise still building its identity in Ottawa.
Settling in Along the Water
Jungels said she's already been told what to expect from life in the capital, and it sounds familiar. "What I've been told is everything is kind of along the water, which I think is super cool," she said. "I grew up on a lake, so just having some water nearby will help me feel like I'm a little bit more at home."
Sources: Ottawa Citizen (via Yahoo News Canada), PWHL (official)
