Ottawa Charge’s head coach, Carla MacLeod, revealed on Sunday that she has been diagnosed with breast cancer. In a statement released by the PWHL club, MacLeod expressed the difficulty of hearing the diagnosis but assured everyone that she is going to be alright. She expressed gratitude for her medical team and shared confidence in the treatment plan they have developed.
Despite starting treatment this week, MacLeod intends to resume coaching the Charge this season and lead the Czech women’s hockey team at the upcoming Winter Olympics in February. However, she will be absent from the next Charge game on December 2, with assistant coach Haley Irwin stepping in.
A former two-time Olympic gold medalist in women’s hockey, MacLeod has been coaching the Charge since the PWHL’s inaugural 2023-24 season. Charge general manager Mike Hirshfeld emphasized the team and league’s unwavering support for MacLeod during her treatment, praising her strength, resilience, and optimism in facing this challenge.