The Ottawa Charge and Vancouver Goldeneyes of the PWHL made a significant trade involving six players on Sunday evening, setting a league record for the most players involved in a single trade at this stage in the season. The trade took place just before the PWHL enters a month-long Olympic break.
Leading the list of new additions for the Ottawa Charge is Michela Cava, who was previously tied for third in points for Vancouver with one goal and four assists in 13 games. Ottawa also welcomed forward Brooke McQuigge and defender Emma Greco.
In return, Vancouver gained three forwards, including Anna Shokhina, a rookie second-round pick and three-time Olympian for Russia. Shokhina has had a slow start in the PWHL, registering one goal and three assists in 12 games. The Goldeneyes also acquired two-way forward Mannon McMahon and Anna Meixner, a member of Austria’s national team.
All of the new Ottawa additions have previously won a Walter Cup with the Minnesota Frost. GM Mike Hirshfeld expressed confidence in Cava’s winning track record, highlighting her performance in the PWHL Walter Cup Finals last season.
The Ottawa Charge, currently tied for fifth place with Toronto in the standings, had a six-game winning streak before a recent loss to Montreal. Vancouver, sitting in seventh place, has been struggling, averaging a league-low of 1.7 goals per game and ranking seventh in goals against. The team is looking to improve their performance with the new additions, aiming to enhance their competitiveness with speed and determination.
The trade is expected to bring impact on both ends of the ice for both teams, as stated by Vancouver GM Cara Gardner Morey, who emphasized the qualities of grit and speed that the new players bring to the team.