History
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Founding and inaugural season
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On August 29, 2023, it was announced that one of the PWHL’s first six franchises would be located in Ottawa.[1] Michael Hirshfeld, former executive director of the National Hockey League Coaches’ Association, was named the team’s general manager, and the Arena at TD Place, its home venue.[2][3] On September 15, Carla MacLeod, a former member of the Canadian national team and the head coach of the Czech women’s national team, was named Ottawa’s first head coach.[4] Each PWHL team was permitted three signings during the free-agency period, ahead of the 2023 PWHL Draft. Ottawa signed Canadian national team players Emily Clark, Brianne Jenner, and Emerance Maschmeyer on September 5, 2023.[5] Each signed a three-year deal lasting through to the 2025–26 season.[6] Next, 15 players were selected in the league’s September 18 draft, with Ottawa’s first pick being American national team member Savannah Harmon.[7] On October 17, it was announced that Haley Irwin and Cassea Schools would be assistant coaches, and Pierre Groulx would be the goaltending coach.[8]
The team colours—and jerseys—were officially revealed on November 14, 2023, as red, ‘storm’ grey, and white.[9]
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Ahead of the start of the inaugural 2023–24 season, Ottawa announced that Jenner would serve as team captain, with Clark and Jincy Roese serving as alternate captains.[10] The first game in franchise history took place on January 2, 2024, when Ottawa hosted PWHL Montreal at the TD Place Arena. The game set a new attendance record for a professional women’s hockey game at 8,318.[11] Hayley Scamurra scored the first goal in franchise history to give the hosts a 1–0 lead; however, Montreal would go on to win in overtime with a 3–2 score.[11] Ottawa secured its first win at its second game, a 5–1 win against PWHL Toronto on January 13.[12] Its first win at home came on January 23, also against Toronto.[13] Ottawa would go on to miss the inaugural PWHL playoffs, eliminated from contention with a 5–2 loss against Toronto in the last game of the season.[14] However, despite missing the playoffs, Ottawa led the PWHL in attendance during its inaugural season.[15] Ottawa’s finish meant they were awarded the second overall selection in the 2024 PWHL draft.[16]
