Charge signs Emma Bergesen to one-year contract
History has been made in the nation’s capital.
On Saturday, the Ottawa Charge announced the team has signed defender Emma Bergesen to a one-year contract for the 2025-26 season. It makes her the first Norwegian-born player to sign in the PWHL.
Bergesen, despite declaring for the 2025 PWHL Draft, was eligible to be signed after going undrafted in 2024. The 25-year-old admitted that it has been a goal for her to join the league once it began.
“Ottawa was attractive to me because I’ve been following the league,” Bergesen said. “I saw how well this team did last season. I witnessed the enthusiasm of the fan base. The atmosphere at the rink and around this team is unreal. There’s a comfort level in joining a team and coaching staff that has confidence in European players. I can’t wait to bring my offensive game to Ottawa and fight for every battle.”
The Charge has had some excellent European talent over the past couple of years, like forward Tereza Vanizova and Aneta Tejralova. Unfortunately, both have signed elsewhere this past season, with Vanisova signing with Vancouver and Tejralova taken by Seattle in the expansion draft.
Yet, that opens the door for Bergesen, who’s no stranger to the North American game. The Stavanger native spent five seasons playing in U SPORTS for Mount Royal University in Calgary, winning a national championship during the 2022-23 season.
After graduating in 2024, Bergesen returned to Europe, joining SDE HF of the SDHL in Sweden. In 33 games this past year, she scored three goals and 16 assists for 19 points, with another two points in eight playoff games.
Prior to being signed by the Charge, Bergesen had agreed to play for Färjestad BK next season.
Along with her pro and collegiate experience, Bergesen has long been a part of the Norwegian National Team. She has competed at the IIHF Women’s World Championships since 2017, helping the Scandinavian nation qualify for the top division in 2024. She’s also served as an alternate captain for the past three years.
Bergesen joins an Ottawa blueline that has the returning Ronja Salvolainen, Jocelyne Larocque and Brooke Hobston.