Ottawa Charge pull off big PWHL trade with Toronto Sceptres before the teams meet Tuesday

The Ottawa Charge GM pulled the trigger on a major trade with the Toronto Sceptres late Monday night, acquiring veteran defender Jocelyn Larocque — a two-time Olympics gold medal winner who also has four golds from the Women’s World Championship — and forward Victoria Bach.

The deal came at a hefty cost, as the Charge sent defender Savannah Harmon and forward Hayley Scamurra to Toronto in return.

“Trading any player is a difficult decision,” said Hirshfeld. “Savannah was our first-ever first-round draft pick, and we appreciate all that she did for our organization and wish her the best of luck with Toronto.

“Hayley will always be remembered as the first player to ever score a goal for the Ottawa Charge.”

All four players are slated to play for their new teams on New Year’s Eve when the Charge face the Sceptres at Coca-Cola Coliseum in Toronto. (The game starts at 7 p.m. and is available on Prime Video.)

The Charge ended a three-game losing streak with a 3-1 victory over the New York Sirens on Sunday.

Heading into their game in Toronto, the Charge and Sceptres were tied for fourth in the six-team PWHL standings with seven points on identical 2-3-1 records.

The Montreal Victoire lead the league with 13 points.

Larocque was selected second overall by Toronto in the first round of the inaugural draft and was signed to a three-year contract.

The 36-year-old from Ste. Anne, Man., has 12 points (one goal, 11 assists) in 29 career regular-season PWHL games, including two assists in six games this season while serving as an alternate captain for the Sceptres.

Larocque also has a silver medal from the Olympics, plus six silvers and a bronze from the world championship.

Bach, a 28-year-old from Milton, Ont., who the Sceptres selected in the seventh round of the inaugural draft, has one goal this season to give her six points (including three assists) in 22 career PWHL games.

Bach won back-to-back gold medals with Canada at the 2021 and 2022 IIHF Women’s World Championship.

“We are excited to add Jocelyne and Victoria to our organization,” added Hirshfeld. “Jocelyne’s résumé speaks for itself, and we are delighted to add her experience and leadership to our locker room where she will be an important player for us this season. Victoria has terrific offensive skills that will be a welcome addition to our team.”

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