Charge’s Carla MacLeod diagnosed with breast cancer

Ottawa Charge head coach Carla MacLeod released a statement Sunday announcing she has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

Statements regarding Head Coach Carla MacLeod’s recent health news. pic.twitter.com/vG8IyTD0Ln

— Ottawa Charge (@PWHL_Ottawa) November 30, 2025

“Hearing those words was incredibly difficult, but I want everyone to know that I’m going to be OK,” she said. “I’m incredibly fortunate to have an exceptional medical team guiding me, and together we’ve built a treatment plan that gives me tremendous confidence in the road ahead.”

MacLeod, now in her third season with Ottawa, said her goal is “without question” to be behind the Charge bench “as often as possible.” She added that her medical team assured her that her treatment should have a minimal impact on her role with the team, and that she will also be able to coach the Czechia National Team at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games this February.

However, as MacLeod’s treatment begins, she will miss the team’s Dec. 2 matchup against the Minnesota Frost. Charge GM Mike Hirshfeld says assistant coach Haley Irwin will serve as head coach on Tuesday while MacLeod begins treatment.

“The Charge and (PWHL) are here to support Carla throughout her treatment,” Hirshfeld said in a statement. “Her strength, resilience, and optimism shine through in the most challenging of circumstances, and we know she’ll approach this next chapter with the same determination she brings to everything she does.”

“I’m incredibly lucky to be surrounded by world-class players, coaches and staff who will keep pushing our group forward,” MacLeod added. “Being with this team fuels me, and I intend to stay as connected as I can during treatment.”

The Charge are 1-0-0-1 with three points through the first two games of the 2025-26 PWHL regular season. Ottawa earned their first win of the season with a 5-1 victory over the Vancouver Goldeneyes last Wednesday, thanks to a four-point effort from captain Brianne Jenner.