These are, without a doubt, exciting times to be an Ottawa Charge Fan.
Looking to build off a breakthrough season, which saw the Charge improve in year two as a team by 12 regular-season points, followed by a thrilling playoff ride, players, management, and fans alike are confident that year three could see Ottawa take that next step and capture the prestigious Walter Cup.
While last season was full of incredible achievements and memories for this team, it unfortunately didn’t have that storybook ending as the defending Walter Cup champions, Minnesota Frost, defeated Ottawa 3-1 in a hard-fought best-of-five 2025 PWHL finals, which, incredibly enough, saw every game settled in overtime by 2-1 scores.
One of the many off-season changes has seen the Charge name 37-year-old veteran defenceman Jocelyne Larocque as alternate captain. Larocque will join fellow alternative captain, forward Emily Clark and captain Brianne Jenner as the team’s leaders.
“It’s an incredible honour to be a part of the Charge leadership group,” Larocque said. “I love this team and city, and am looking forward to the upcoming season.”
Larocque, who is from Ste. Anne, Manitoba, and has an impressive resume, including two Olympic gold medals (2014 Sochi), (2022 Beijing) and a silver (2018, Pyeong Change), began her tenure with the Charge when on December 30, 2024, she along with forward Victoria Bach, was traded from the Toronto Sceptres to Ottawa in exchange for defenceman Savannah Harmon along with forward Haley Scamurra.
“We are excited to add Jocelyne and Victoria to our organization,” Charge GM Mike Hirshfeld said at the time of the trade. “Jocelyne’s resume 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.”
Upon being traded to Ottawa, Larocque played 24 games, recording five assists and 12 penalty minutes while providing veteran leadership. In the playoffs, Larocque was once again solid, scoring a goal and recording four points while adding two penalty minutes.
Hirsheld was full of praise for this veteran defenceman as he also went on to add,
“Jocelyne quickly became a leader after she entered our dressing room. Her leadership skills come naturally to her. She has been a long-time alternative captain with the National Team, including as an Olympian. She was a force during our last playoff run. Her teammates looked up to her, and she had a calming presence when the tension was high. It was quite an easy decision to elevate her to alternate captain in Ottawa. She didn’t have the letter on her jersey last season, but she always acted like she did.”
During Ottawa’s 2025-26 regular season opener, Larocque had two shots on goal and was credited with three hits during a 4-0 loss at TD Place in Ottawa against the New York Sirens.
Back in the historic first-ever PWHL draft, Larocque was drafted by the Sceptres second overall and proceeded to sign a three-year contract.
In her rookie year, Larocque had 10 points (1 goal, nine assists) along with six PIMs while posting an impressive plus/minus of +8.
Besides the three Olympic medals, other international hockey achievements on Larocque’s hockey resume also include helping Canada win four gold medals, seven silver and one bronze during her run of competing in 12 straight IIHF Women’s World Championships.
With Larocque’s solid resume and extensive leadership skills, she is an ideal candidate to join the team’s leadership group alongside Clark and Jenner as an alternative captain.
Photo: Courtesy ottawa.thepwhl.com
