Ottawa Charge is reinforcing its future on and off the ice amid PWHL expansion

Ottawa Charge defender Ronja Savolainen is one of three players protected by the Charge as the PWHL enters its second expansion process in as many years. Photo by Ashley Fraser /POSTMEDIA

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It’s been a week full of difficult decisions, tough conversations and the desire for a future-gazing crystal ball for the Ottawa Charge management as the PWHL’s expansion process officially begins.

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The Charge solidified its first official decision of the offseason on Wednesday, protecting forward Rebecca Leslie, defender Ronja Savolainen and goaltender Gwyneth Philips from expansion.

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This means that the four new expansion teams in Detroit, Hamilton, San Jose and Las Vegas will not be able to pluck these players from the Ottawa roster throughout their respective roster-building processes over the next few weeks.

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While making the protection list has come with some difficult decisions, Hirshfeld says it underscores the importance of not only the on-ice product these players bring, but also the leadership and culture they cultivate off the ice.

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As the dust settles and current teams hope this may be the last of league expansion for a while, the Charge is certainly looking to develop a strong franchise identity and to connect with fans through the faces of its key players.

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There’s no stronger face to start with than Ottawa-native Leslie.

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The top-line winger was certainly busy on the ice, finishing in a tie for fifth in the PWHL in regular-season scoring with 23 points, but Hirshfeld says she’s also been a key asset for the organization off the ice, attending more than 24 community events.

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Charge forward Rebecca Leslie tied for fifth in the PWHL in regular-season scoring with 23 points this past season. Photo by Tony Caldwell /Postmedia

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“When you put her play on the ice with the person she is off the ice, she’s an amazing representative for our organization,” Hirshfeld told reporters on Thursday.

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“People joke she’s the mayor of Ottawa, but she really is the person who makes the connections here in town, helps people with restaurants and where do we want to go out for coffee, all those things.”

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While Ottawa could have gone one of several directions in protecting one of its defenders, the decision to go with the 28-year-old Savolainen also points to just how valuable these off-ice leaders are to the team.

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Savolainen took a step up in almost every on-ice category this past season, and Hirshfeld went as far as to call her one of the best defenders in the league. Off the ice, she also solidified her place among the team’s leadership group and served as a valuable mentor to younger players, including rookie defender Rory Guilday.

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While seeing last season’s first-round pick in Guilday unprotected and now likely out the door is hard, the decision to use the slot on the experienced Savolainen for the second season in a row is one the Ottawa GM knows won’t disappoint.

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“She’s always got a smile on her face, she’s always positive, she’s always having a good time and happy, and I think her teammates gravitate toward that,” Hirshfeld said.