‘It felt awesome’: Newest Ottawa Charge players describe being drafted into the PWHL in front of hometown fans

The Ottawa Charge select defender Rory Guilday, centre, during the first round of the PWHL draft in Ottawa, Tuesday June 24, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Two of the newest members of the Ottawa Charge say they are looking forward to playing in front of fans at the Arena at TD Place next season.

The Ottawa Charge drafted defender Rory Guilday from Cornell University with their first round pick during the PWHL draft Tuesday night at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Ottawa. Sarah Wozniewicz of the University of Wisconsin was picked in the third round by the Charge.

“The fans, the city here and the support it has around it; it’s going to be something pretty special to be a part of,” Guilday told CTV Morning Live Wednesday morning.

Wozniewicz added, “We all heard it last night. They were chanting both of our names after we got drafted and it felt awesome.”

The fans attending the draft chanted Guilday and Wozniewicz’s names after they were drafted Tuesday night.

“Pretty surreal moment. I don’t think I was able to process it right away. Lots of emotions,” Guilday said.

“It’s pretty cool. It was electric in that building and feeling that love was pretty cool.”

The Charge made six picks during the PWHL draft. Anna Shokhina of Russia was selected in the second round, Peyton Hemp from the University of Minnesota was picked in the fourth round, Finland goaltender Sanni Ahola from St. Cloud State University was selected in the fifth round and Fanuza Kadirova of Russia was picked in the sixth round.

Wozniewicz won the national championship at the University of Wisconsin this past season.

“That was awesome to experience that. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity in such a team event, it takes a lot of hard work and adversity to achieve that,” Wozniewicz said.

Wozniewicz will be reunited with head coach Carla McLeod, who coached her in high school in Alberta.

“I’m super excited to play under her again; she’s a great coach,” Wozniewicz said.

“It’s a definitely a familiar face to see, it’s very comforting. “It’s a whole circle moment. I never thought she would be coaching the PWHL when I was on her high school team.”

Guilday admits she hasn’t seen “much of Ottawa,” but is looking forward to exploring the city more ahead of the new season.