PWHL Signings Round-Up: Charge, Fleet re-sign veterans to two-year contracts
With free agency set to begin, a couple of playoff contenders have solidified some notable experience for the future.
Charge ink Larocque, Mrazova to two-year deals
On Thursday, the final day of Phase 5 of the PWHL Expansion Player Distribution Process, the Ottawa Charge re-signed defender Jocelyne Larocque and forward Katerina Mrazova to two-year contracts, with forward Kathryn Reilly and goaltender Kendra Woodland agreeing to one-year deals for the 2026-27 season.
Mrazova is one of two players remaining from Ottawa’s inaugural roster, as she and Gabbie Hughes are all that’s left from the 2024 team. The Czech is one of the more skilled Europeans in the game, though injuries and inconsistent play have led to her numbers being less than expected. This past season, she scored just two goals and nine points in 30 regular-season games, with another two assists in nine postseason games.
In 67 career-regular season contests with the Charge, Mrazova has posted 11 goals and 23 assists for 34 points.
Larocque has been a mainstay on the blue line in the nation’s capital since she was traded by provincial rival, the Toronto Sceptres, during the 2024-25 campaign. This past year, she posted a goal and eight points in 30 regular-season contests, with another four points coming in the Charge’s trek to a second straight Walter Cup Final.
In 83 career PWHL games, the Manitoba native has posted two goals and 23 assists for 25 points, with another nine points in 21 postseason appearances.
Reilly is coming off her rookie season, in which she posted four assists in 25 games. The Univeristy of British Columbia product appeared in each of the team’s eight playoff games. Woodland made her PWHL debut this past season, coming in relief for Gwyneth Philips in a game against the Minnesota Frost on March 18. The Kamloops, B.C. native gave up two goals on 16 shots in 45 minutes of action in a 5-0 defeat.
With the signings, the Charge have 10 of a possible 23 contracts signed for next season. Woodland and Philips are the only goaltenders signed for now, as Sanni Ahola is a restricted free agent.
Fleet re-sign Saulnier, Shirley for a couple years
The Fleet, the team the Charge defeated in the semifinals, re-signed forwards Jill Saulnier and Sophie Shirley to two-year contracts, which will carry through the 2027-28 campaign.
Saulnier came to Boston as part of the trade that saw Taylor Girard head to the New York Sirens in 2024. She’s brought grit and a veteran presence to a strong Fleet squad. Despite missing time due to injury this past season, the Halifax native scored two goals and a career-best six points in 25 games, posting an assist in the four games against the Charge.
In 67 career regular-season games, Saulnier has scored five goals and eight assists for 13 points.
Shirley is one of the originals from the Boston franchise, serving as a quality depth player since Year 1. This past year, she had her most productive campaign, scoring three goals and nine points in 22 games, including a goal in the first round. In 70 career regular-season appearances with the Fleet, the 26-year-old has notched six goals and 13 assists for 19 points, with another three points in 12 playoff games.
Free agency, or the Open Signing Period, opens up on Friday at 12 p.m. ET.