No matter how many times a player has participated, the thrill of representing their country at the Winter Olympics Tournament never gets old.
Starting next week, at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, Italy, you can bet that Ottawa Charge fans will have their eyes glued to their televisions from February 5th to the 19th, cheering on eight players from their beloved team proudly representing their respective countries, along with Ottawa coach Carla MacLeod, who will be coaching the Czechia team.
Among those Ottawa players who got the call to represent their countries are 30-year-old forward Emily Clark, who will be playing for Canada in her third Winter Olympics, along with 34-year-old Charge captain, forward Brianne Jenner, who will be wearing the Maple Leaf for her fourth Winter Olympics and 37-year-old defenceman Jocelyne Larocque, who will also be playing in her fourth Olympics.
ABOVE: Prime Minister Carney received a Team Canada jersey from PWHL Ottawa Charge forwards Emily Clark and Brianne Jenner, along with defender Jocelyne Larocque. PHOTO: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Clark, born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, was part of the Team Canada squad that, back at the 2018 Olympic Games in PyeongChang, South Korea, won Olympic silver and four years later had her biggest Olympic thrill when she helped Canada capture gold at the 2022 Games held in Beijing, China.
Meanwhile, Jenner, a native of Oakville, Ontario, also had her greatest Olympic moment in 2022, when she made history by tying the record of nine goals in an Olympic tournament. In what was a dominating performance, Jenner totalled 14 points and was named MVP after helping Canada win gold.
In addition, Jenner also helped Canada to a gold medal at the 2014 games and, four years later, a silver medal at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang, South Korea.
During the January 26th Ottawa Charge press conference, which had the team’s participants at the Winter Olympics answering questions at TD Place Arena, Jenner expressed a steady confidence in her team when she stated: “I think when we’re focused on ourselves, I think that’s when we’re most successful. This group has proven over the last number of years that we’ve found different ways to win in different tournaments. We’ve won defensively, we’ve won offensive tournaments. We’ve won with special teams. We’ve figured out ways to win. I think that’s the strength of this group. No matter the situation, of the game, of the tournament, if we play our best and play for each other, we have a chance.”
Larocque experienced the ultimate thrill of winning gold in both the 2014 and 2022 Olympic Winter Games, while also winning silver at the 2018 Olympic Games.
Meanwhile, the two Charge players who will be playing in February for the United States are 25-year-old goalie Gwyneth Philips, from Athens, Ohio, and 21-year-old rookie defenceman Rory Guilday, from Chanhassen, Minnesota. Both will be making their Olympic debuts.
“Hearing that you’re going to be named to the roster, pretty special moment,” Guilday, who was selected fifth overall in the 2025 PWHL draft by Ottawa, said at the January 26th press conference. “I don’t think it hit me right away. I know it didn’t hit me right away. I still don’t know if it feels entirely real. It might feel once I get my feet on the ground.”
Not surprisingly, there were some questions directed at Guilday and Philips about the 2025 Rivalry Series, which saw the USA not only gain bragging rights with a four-game sweep, but also managed to outscore Canada by a 24-7 margin. When the question was brought up about the Canadian girls “chirping you in the hallway, if you go scoreboard on them?” Philips chuckled before replying, “I’ll go more personal at ‘em, you know, keep it locker room chirps only.”
Philips also stated, “Rivalry and Olympics are two different things. Canada, they won’t let that happen again.”
Other Charge players competing in the upcoming Winter Olympics include 25-year-old goaltender Sanni Ahola and 28-year-old defenceman Ronja Savolainen, who will both be playing for Finland. Savolainen played in the 2018 and 2022 Games, where she helped Finland win bronze.
The eighth and final Ottawa player participating in the 2026 Winter Olympics is 33-year-old centreman Katerina Mrazova, who has Olympic experience, having played for the Czech Republic back at the 2022 Winter Games.
So far this season, a positive storyline for the Charge has been the consistent play of Guilday, who, after 15 games, sits fourth in Ottawa scoring with 7 points (1 goal, 6 assists), a plus/minus of -2, and 12 PIMs.
“Rory has a powerful shot, and it’s exciting to see her get more comfortable,” MacLeod said. “I’m excited (to have her). She’s a great Charge member.”
Ottawa heads into the Olympic break on a winning note, having defeated the Seattle Torrent 4-2 in the final game before the break at TD Place, leaving them in fifth place with 22 points.
“We’re getting stronger as a team. More confident,” MacLeod said. “It’s such a competitive league. I’m thrilled about the Olympics and very excited about the Charge, who will continue to push. I’m excited about the Charge and what we’re doing.”
To follow the Canadian Women’s Hockey Team at the 2026 Winter Olympics, click here for the full schedule.
