Charge sign Gabbie Hughes, Ronja Savolainen to one-year contract extensions

A couple of core players in the nation’s capital are extending their stay.

On Tuesday, the Ottawa Charge announced that the team has signed forward Gabbie Hughes and defender Ronja Savolainen to one-year contract extensions.

Hughes, who is in the final season of her original three-year contract, has been extended through the 2026-27 campaign. Savolainen’s extension will take her beyond her current three-year deal, as she’s on the books through the 2027-28 season.

Charge general manager Mike Hirshfeld stated how happy he and the organization are to have the two players sticking around for a little while longer.

“We’re thrilled to have both Gabbie and Ronja commit to our organization for the long term,” Hirshfeld said in a release. “They both embody the work ethic, character, and competitiveness we want in this locker room and furthermore have taken on a role in our leadership group this season. Their impact on and off the ice has been tremendous, and we’re excited to continue building our future with both as a key part of our core.”

Hughes has been with the team since day one. Originally taken in the fourth round of the inaugural PWHL Draft in 2023, she has been a key player at both ends of the rink. The Lino Lakes, Minn. native played top-six minutes for the majority of her time in Ottawa, including standing as the team’s top-line center during the PWHL Final last spring.

Last season, Hughes potted five goals and 11 assists for 16 points in 29 games, finishing fourth on the team in scoring. She also registered three assists in the postseason, helping the Charge make it to the final for the first time before falling to the Minnesota Frost in four games.

In 54 regular-season games with the Charge, the former Minnesota Duluth standout has scored 14 goals and 14 assists for 28 points.

Savolainen was picked by the Charge in the second round, eighth overall, in the 2024 draft. Fans quickly realized how important the Finnish rearguard was during her rookie season. She was able to log heavy minutes while contributing at both ends of the rink. The 28-year-old notched two goals and nine assists for 11 points during the regular season, posting a plus/minus of +11 while averaging close to 20 minutes per game. She also posted an assist in the playoffs.

Savolainen’s value to Ottawa is so high that she was one of the first three players protected during the expansion process last summer.

The Charge (0-0-0-1) gets set to host the Vancouver Goldeneyes on Wednesday night.