Last month, I got my first live take on the Professional Women's Hockey League. Although the PWHL doesn't have a team in Chicago, the league is playing some neutral site games. The Ottawa Charge played the Minnesota Frost in the Takeover Tour stop in Chicago.
Saturday was a day of practice, meet-and-greets and clinics in Rosemont. I attended all of it. The meet-and-greet featured four Charge players (more on them in the future). I was hoping to meet Charge Coach Carla MacLeod. Patience paid off as MacLeod came out shortly before the clinics started. I was fortunate to chat with her for a bit.
A native of Alberta, MacLeod starred at the University of Wisconsin. She also played internationally, winning the gold medal in two Olympics and a gold and three silvers in the world championships. MacLeod was a force on defense.
She began her coaching career shortly after retiring in 2010. In September 2023, she was named head coach of the Charge, one of the original six PWHL teams. In her first year, she guided them to a fifth place finish. Last season, the Charge finished in third place. Currently, the team is struggling a bit in last place.
MacLeod was very engaging. She thanked me for covering and supporting women's hockey. I said I was hoping for a Chicago team. A a former Wisconsin player, she knew what a team would mean to the area.
I had read she announced she was battling breast cancer. I did not broach the subject. I didn't think it was the time or place. I did wish her well.
The next day, the Charge beat the Frost in overtime. The game drew a respectable 7,200 fans. On the weekend before Christmas, for Chicago's first taste of women's hockey with two non-Chicago teams, I thought that was encouraging. As for the hockey itself, I was impressed. It was competitive and exciting.
For more info on Coach MacLeod and the PWHL, go to thepwhl.com. Also, check here for my recurring coverage, which hopefully will eventually include a Chciago team!
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