Eight players from the Ottawa Charge are headed to Milano Cortina for the Winter Olympics - and while they’ve spent the PWHL season building chemistry as teammates, they’re about to find themselves on opposite sides of some of the fiercest rivalries in international hockey.
The Charge’s Olympic contingent represents four different countries: three Canadians, two Americans, two Finns, and one Czech player. When the women’s tournament begins this Thursday, they’ll be swapping their pro jerseys for national pride, stepping onto the global stage with gold on the line.
Among the headliners is Brianne Jenner, who continues to carve out a legendary career in women’s hockey. She recently became just the sixth player in PWHL history to hit the 50-point milestone - a testament to her consistent production and leadership in the league’s inaugural season.
But Jenner’s resume doesn’t stop there. She’s a proven force on the Olympic stage, averaging a point per game across 17 career Olympic appearances. Her nine-goal performance in Beijing 2022 tied the all-time record for a single tournament, and she didn’t just lead the charge - she earned MVP honors and helped Canada capture gold for the second time in her career.
While the recent Rivalry Series didn’t tilt in Canada’s favor - the Americans swept the four-game set and outscored their northern rivals 24-7 - Jenner still found the back of the net, reminding everyone why she remains a cornerstone for Team Canada heading into Milano Cortina.
With Olympic hockey set to take center stage, the Charge’s roster will be split across national lines, but their impact on the tournament promises to be anything but divided. These are players used to raising the level of play - and now, they’ll try to do it on the biggest stage in the sport.