Ottawa Charge's Rebecca Leslie (37) celebrates scoring the game-winning goal against the Montreal Victoire during overtime PWHL action in Winnipeg, Sunday, March 22, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

By The Canadian Press

Players, fans believe Winnipeg would embrace a PWHL team

Mar 23, 2026 | 3:00 AM

WINNIPEG — The Professional Women’s Hockey League came to Manitoba for a hockey game, but what fans witnessed was a 48-hour audition for a ninth franchise.

From packed morning practices at the Hockey For All Centre to a sold-out crowd of 15,321 at Canada Life Centre on Sunday night to watch the Ottawa Charge play the Montreal Victoire, the PWHL Takeover Tour proved that Winnipeg has an undeniable appetite for professional women’s hockey.

Now for the ultimate question: Could the city support a PWHL team?

For the local players, both of whom had a strong showing of support in the stands, the answer is easy. Ottawa defender and Ste. Anne native Jocelyne Larocque — who had an estimated 280 extended family members and friends in attendance — believes the market is a perfect fit.

“Geographically, it makes a lot of sense,” said Larocque, shortly after the Charge’s 2-1 overtime victory. “We’re right central in Canada, but I think this city just loves hockey and the fact that the city doesn’t have a pro women’s sports team at all, hockey would be a great first one and the city would really rally behind it.”

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Larocque noted how surreal it was to finally play professionally in her home province.

“Growing up, I wasn’t sure if this day would come,” she said. “I looked up to NHL players and I looked up to Team Canada, but a pro women’s hockey league, and to be able to be a part of it, it’s pretty special. All Manitobans, it’s great people can watch us on TV, but to see us live is definitely something different.”

Victoire defender and Winnipeg native Kati Tabin also believes Winnipeg would be an ideal PWHL destination. Tabin, who had around 80 friends and family take in the event, hadn’t played a competitive game in front of her local support system since her high school days nearly 11 years ago.

“Just the growth of our league is awesome,” Tabin said. “I just remember being a little girl in Oakbank, Manitoba, and I didn’t even think this dream was possible to play in the (Winnipeg) Jets’ rink. It would mean the world.

“Winnipeg is a great community. I think it would be a great spot. There’s so much hockey love here in the city, so it would be a great option.”

That hockey love was evident throughout the weekend. The PWHL embedded itself in the community, hosting a hockey operations career panel at the University of Manitoba, a business panel featuring PWHL executives and youth clinics at Camp Manitou.

Ottawa forward Rebecca Leslie noticed the impact immediately.

“Just walking through the practice rink the other day, there were lineups of people on a Saturday morning and afternoon just to watch us practice,” Leslie said. “To see all the little girls in the stands and for them to have an opportunity to watch us live, it’s just so special.”

Montreal forward Abby Roque pointed to what she witnessed in the moments before puck drop as a prime example of why the league is expanding its footprint.

“One of the biggest things was in warm-ups, looking around at how many young girls were right on the glass with so many signs,” Roque said.

“The fans really showed up today, having 15,000, but I just think having a community that really wants a team, being able to show the young girls that this is the hockey you can play one day if you really put your mind to it. That’s a really special thing.”

For Ottawa head coach Carla MacLeod, the energy in the building was a blast from the past. MacLeod won a world championship gold medal with Team Canada on the exact same ice in 2007.

“It’s a hockey town,” MacLeod said. “We walk out to that arena and it’s full, and that’s a great arena, super steep, with fans on top of you. There’s a rich history of hockey here and not just men’s hockey but women’s hockey.

“We never take for granted when we walk into a building like this and it’s full. This market is a hockey market and we got to see that again today.”

NOTES: Manitoba became the sixth province to host a PWHL game. The Takeover Tour has two stops remaining this season, with a game in Calgary on April 1, and in Edmonton on April 7.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 23, 2026.

Jeff Hamilton, The Canadian Press