MacLeod stepping back from Ottawa Charge coaching to focus on cancer treatment

Ottawa Charge head coach Carla MacLeod looks on during training camp in Ottawa on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

The Ottawa Charge has announced head coach Carla MacLeod is stepping away from her duties to focus on cancer treatment.

MacLeod announced her breast cancer diagnosis last November. She vowed to remain behind the bench of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) team as much as possible during her treatment. She also travelled to Italy to coach for Team Czechia at the Milano-Cortina Winter Games in February.

In a news release on Monday, the Charge said MacLeod would be away for an undetermined amount of time and she wants everyone to know she is going to be okay.

“She remains in good spirits and is focused on her health and recovery. The entire organization fully supports Carla and her family and asks that her privacy be respected,” the team said.

Haley Irwin has been named interim head coach. She’s been MacLeod’s assistant since the team’s founding and stepped in once already for MacLeod during the Charge’s game against the Minnesota Frost on Dec. 2, 2025, when MacLeod began treatment.

On Friday, the Ottawa Charge hosted the Montreal Victoire at the Canadian Tire Centre, playing before a record-setting crowd of 17,114 fans, but lost 3-0. The next game takes place Wednesday at the Arena at TD Place against the Seattle Torrent. There are five games left in the regular season.

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