Ottawa Charge head coach Carla MacLeod looks on during a training camp practice in Ottawa this past November.Sean Kilpatrick/The Associated Press
Ottawa Charge head coach Carla MacLeod has been fighting all season. Now, it’s her team’s turn to fight for her.
The Professional Women’s Hockey League team announced Monday that MacLeod would be stepping away for an indefinite period while she continued treatment for breast cancer.
MacLeod shared her diagnosis late last year and took a brief hiatus to undergo treatment, but has been behind the bench for most of the PWHL season. She also coached Czechia’s women’s hockey team at the Milan Cortina Winter Games.
Assistant coach Haley Irwin will take over as interim head coach in MacLeod’s absence.
“It’s a moment for our team to support her in what she needs to do right now,” said Irwin.
Irwin has been part of MacLeod’s staff since the team began playing three years ago and provides some consistency for a group still looking to clinch a playoff spot.
Irwin joked that MacLeod left her a long list of things to help with the transition, and the two will remain in close contact.
The Charge (six wins, seven overtime wins, one overtime loss, 11 regulation losses for 33 points) entered their game against the visiting Seattle Torrent on Wednesday fifth overall in the standings and one point back of the Toronto Sceptres for the fourth and final playoff spot.
Following Wednesday’s game, the Charge have four games remaining, including two against the Sceptres.
While working for the Charge, MacLeod has also served as Czechia’s head coach, steering the team through the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics earlier this year.Petr David Josek/The Associated Press
If they needed any added incentive to fight for their playoff aspirations, MacLeod’s personal battle serves as the perfect motivation. She has been with the organization since Day 1 and has kept a positive attitude throughout the season while dealing with her diagnosis.
The Charge are 5-2-1-4 on home ice and will need to take advantage of a Seattle team that has yet to win in regulation on the road and is coming off a 4-1 loss to the Montreal Victoire Tuesday night.
“In a long season there’s always kinds of different emotions that come up and obviously this is one that’s different than we’re used to,” said Charge captain Brianne Jenner.
“It’s fair to say that there’s added emotion with this because [MacLeod is] part of our family and we care a lot about her, but the best thing we can do is our preparation and let her know we’re behind her and take care of our business at the rink and hopefully we have more games to play when she comes back.”
MacLeod has been receiving messages of support from across the PWHL, as well as across the hockey community. Ottawa Senators head coach Travis Green offered his and the team’s support Tuesday morning in his opening remarks to media.
“People have been unbelievable,” said Charge general manager Mike Hirshfeld. “They’ve stepped up and offered their support for Carla. We’re really feeling that love and support and I know she feels that.”
While the support and encouragement is greatly appreciated Hirshfeld said MacLeod isn’t one who enjoys being the centre of attention.
Hirshfeld said he and the organization were aware of the opportunity for MacLeod to undergo treatment in Ottawa and didn’t want her to miss out. MacLeod informed Hirshfeld and her coaching staff last week, and the team was told after Friday’s game at the Canadian Tire Centre.
“We’ve known this was coming,” said Hirshfeld. “We’re in a good spot. She’s got the coaching staff in a great spot. I feel like Hailey is a great head coach and potential future head coach in this league, so we feel like we’re in a really good spot and we won’t miss a beat.”
