Ottawa Charge forward Emily Clark stands at the top of the PWHL's salary rankings this season, earning $126,090 US — a milestone for the league and for the Ottawa franchise, but one that comes with an uncomfortable asterisk.
The PWHL Players' Association released player salaries for the 2025–26 season this week, and the numbers tell a sobering story about the state of women's professional hockey. While Clark's contract represents the ceiling of the league, nearly 100 players across the six-team PWHL earned less than $50,000 US last season.
Ottawa's Own at the Top
Emily Clark has been a cornerstone of the Charge since the PWHL launched in 2024, and her salary reflects her standing as one of the premier forwards in the game. Being the league's top earner is a genuine achievement — and Ottawa fans who've packed TD Place to cheer on the Charge know exactly why she commands that distinction.
But even Clark's record salary is a fraction of what mid-tier NHL players bring home. The average NHL salary hovers around $3.5 million US. That means the PWHL's highest-paid player earns roughly 3.6 cents for every dollar an average NHLer makes. The disparity is not subtle.
The Reality Behind the Numbers
For nearly 100 PWHL players earning under $50,000 US, professional hockey isn't a livable wage — it's a passion project subsidized by other income. In cities like Ottawa, where a one-bedroom apartment can run well over $2,000 a month, that salary barely covers rent, let alone the cost of elite-level training, travel, and equipment that a professional career demands.
These are world-class athletes. Many are Olympians. Some have been playing at the elite level for over a decade. The financial picture the PWHLPA has put on the table should prompt a real conversation about what the sport values.
A Young League With Room to Grow
To give context: the PWHL is only in its second full season. It launched in January 2024 following the dissolution of the Premier Hockey Federation, and it's been building momentum quickly. Ottawa's fan base has been one of the league's most enthusiastic, and the Charge have become a genuine source of local pride.
Both the league and the PWHLPA have signalled that improving compensation is a priority as broadcast deals develop and attendance revenue grows. Transparency — like this salary release — is a first and necessary step.
Why Ottawans Should Pay Attention
Ottawa is a hockey city through and through. The Charge have tapped into something real here — a fanbase hungry for elite women's hockey and proud to support it. That enthusiasm has value, and it can be channeled into advocacy.
If Ottawa fans want to see the Charge thrive long-term, supporting the push for fair wages matters just as much as showing up on game night. Emily Clark earning the league's top salary is worth celebrating. But the goal should be a league where that number is a floor, not a ceiling.
Source: CBC Sports / CBC Ottawa RSS feed.
