Ottawa’s Rebecca Leslie wins PWHL community award

Ottawa Charge forward Rebecca Leslie (37) celebrates her goal against the Minnesota Frost during second period PWHL final action, Tuesday May 20, 2025 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Ottawa Charge forward Rebecca Leslie has been rewarded for her deep involvement in her hometown community, winning the Professional Women’s Hockey League’s “Hockey for All” award on Tuesday.

Leslie, 30, volunteers with the Ottawa Senators’ Foundation, CHEO, and the PWHL Mentorship Program, the league says.

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“She is especially passionate about Do It For Daron, founded in memory of her late teammate Daron Richardson, and its mission to support young people on and off the ice. Giving back boosts her confidence in hockey, and she leads by example, encouraging others to get involved in the Ottawa community,” the PWHL said in a news release, announcing the 2026 PWHL Award winners.

The Hockey for All award goes to the player who has made the greatest impact in their community during the 2025-26 regular season. The annual recipient is selected by PWHL executives based on nominations from all eight teams.

“I’m deeply grateful to my family for instilling in me the values of giving back and the importance of community from a young age,” Leslie said, upon receiving the award. “They taught me that success is measured not only by what you achieve but also by how you support and uplift those around you.”

On social media, the Charge said Leslie’s impact in Ottawa is unmatched, leading the league in community events and involvement.

The PWHL says Scotiabank will be making a $10,000 donation to a Canadian charity of Leslie’s choice that supports youth or grassroots hockey, with a focus on accessibility, diversity, and inclusion.

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Leslie is one of the players the team protected in the league’s expansion process, as teams are added in Hamilton, Las Vegas, San Jose, and Detroit next season.

The Boston Fleet won four of the awards announced Tuesday. Former Ottawa Charge player Brianne Jenner, who signed with Hamilton earlier this month, was a finalist for Forward of the Year—won by Kelly Pannek of Minnesota—while goalie Gwyneth Philips received a nomination for Goaltender of the Year, which went to Boston’s Aerin Frankel. Head coach Carla MacLeod was nominated for Coach of the Year, which was won by Boston’s Kris Sparre.

The Ottawa Charge were defeated three games to one in the PWHL Walter Cup Finals this season, their second appearance in the league’s championship series.