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Ottawa Charge Coach Carla MacLeod Takes Indefinite Leave for Cancer Treatment

Assistant Haley Irwin takes over with Ottawa one point shy of the PWHL's final playoff berth.

Overview

  • The Charge said Monday that head coach Carla MacLeod will step away for an undetermined period to continue breast cancer treatment.
  • Assistant Haley Irwin becomes interim head coach, having run the bench once in December when MacLeod began treatment.
  • Ottawa sits fifth with 33 points through 25 games, one point behind Toronto for the last of the PWHL’s four playoff spots with five games remaining.
  • The team said MacLeod remains in good spirits and asked for privacy, and GM Mike Hirshfeld urged her to focus on recovery and take the time she needs.
  • MacLeod disclosed her diagnosis in November, missed only one game, and coached Czechia at the 2026 Olympics after arranging radiation around the tournament.