Ottawa Charge bring 'relentless' identity to nation's capital in 2nd PWHL campaign

The Ottawa Charge have a revitalized roster, a new identity and a redefined mentality heading into the Professional Women's Hockey League's second season.

After missing the playoffs by just three points in the league's inaugural season, Ottawa head coach Carla MacLeod painted a clear picture of the Charge's mindset during training camp.

"The Ottawa Charge mentality is one built on relentlessness," MacLeod said.

MacLeod said that relentless identity particularly focuses on one aspect of the game.

"The physical piece," MacLeod said. "We've got to be the team that embraces it the most and loves that side of the game because we know it's now a part of the game."

The Charge pounced on the opportunity to strengthen areas of need in the off-season, especially through the draft.

"We're all aligned on the way we want to play and where we can get better from last year," Ottawa general manager Mike Hirschfeld said. "Compete level, toughness, physicality, attention to details, particularly in our defensive zone, those are areas we wanted to improve on, and our draft and our free agency class was focused on those attributes."

With the second overall pick, Ottawa selected high-flying forward Danielle Serdachny as its next franchise cornerstone. Serdachny excelled at Colgate University in the NCAA, producing 22 goals and 61 points in 40 games last season.

The 23-year-old from Edmonton already flashed her game-breaking talent during the pre-season, scoring a coast-to-coast goal against the Montreal Victoire last Friday. On top of her elite skills, Serdachny fits the Charge's mould as a relentless, physical force on the ice.

"Throughout college and where I've played, I've always been kind of a physical player," said Serdachny, who scored