Ottawa Charge defenceman Rory Guilday isn’t your average rookie PWHL player.
Guilday entered the pro ranks last June when she was drafted 5th overall by the Charge in the 2025 Professional Women’s Hockey League draft. When a team uses such an early pick on a player, it obviously speaks volumes about their talent and value to a team.
And to hear her former head coach describe her game, it sure looks like Guilday was always going to be a safe bet for Ottawa.
“I’d say she’s one of the best defencemen in the world,” Cornell University head coach Doug Derraugh pronounced in an interview last spring with WROC TV in Rochester, New York.
“I’ve never seen a player with a shot like hers, or that’s as physically strong as her.”
That’s some high praise for a player who was still in school and hadn’t yet played a single pro game. But the highest levels of hockey didn’t wait for Guilday to finish school.
The 23-year-old, who grew up in Minnetonka, Minnesota, has already answered the call for USA Hockey’s national program numerous times. She’s now a three-time medalist with Team USA at the IIHF Women’s World Championship, winning gold in 2023 and two silver medals in 2022 and 2024. Her international goal now is to compete in the Olympics someday.
“Putting the USA jersey on is never something I take for granted,” Guilday told Faces. “It’s a representation of something bigger than myself, so every opportunity to wear it alongside my teammates is extremely special and meaningful.”
At the same time, as the new kid in town, Guilday is excited to help the Ottawa Charge try and win the PWHL championship they came so close to securing last season.
“Right away I could tell that we have a great group of girls in the locker room,” Guilday said. “Everyone loves showing up to the rink every day and we have so much fun together. On the ice, we are competitors who push each other to be better every day. We have a ton of talent and hard workers.”
The Charge aren’t exactly easing Guilday into her pro career with sheltered minutes. No one on the team plays more than she does, and the future looks bright.
But ten years ago, her life took an unexpected turn that now makes her accomplished young career seem all the more remarkable.
“At the end of seventh grade, I was diagnosed with a benign optic nerve tumor that was threatening the vision in my right eye,” Guilday said. “I began chemotherapy right away to hopefully stop the cell growth so it didn’t reach the optic chiasm and affect my left eye as well. I ended up doing chemotherapy for nine months where I lost most of the vision in my right eye, a lot of my strength at the time, and I had to stop competing in both hockey and soccer.
“It was definitely difficult on me and my loved ones.”
Thankfully, the summer before ninth grade, Guilday’s recovery reached a point where she could compete in hockey again. Eventually, the challenge was behind her, her body adjusted, and she stopped even noticing her new vision reality unless she closed her left eye.
“Luckily, the tumor wasn’t something that threatened my life, but going through chemotherapy I think made me a better person as a whole. I learned a lot about myself, grew into a very positive and humble human being, and I appreciate the ability to do the things I love so much more.”
We connected with Guilday for a Q and A session, just a few weeks into her first season as a pro.
Can you describe how your family shared in your hockey story?
My parents, Sarah and Lanny, have been incredible throughout my hockey journey. It’s difficult to put into words how much they mean to me. They are my number one fans, biggest supporters, and have always encouraged me to do what makes me happy. I am so grateful for how wholeheartedly they have been there for me every step of the way.
My sisters Hunter and Lila, and my brother Jordy fueled my competitive edge from when we were little, playing any and all sports and games. Lots of tears and fights, but it’s also where I learned to be a part of a team.
What drew you to Cornell, and what did you love most about your time there?
Cornell is a fantastic school to get an education from and also has a very long line of high caliber hockey players on both the mens and womens side, but it ended up being the amazing people there that meant the most to me. I loved showing up to the rink every day surrounded by my best friends and just all the little in between moments we shared.
What was your PWHL draft day like back in June and what will you remember about it?
The PWHL draft was very surreal to me. Being drafted in the host city where I was able to feel the energy and love right away was pretty amazing. It was very special to share that moment with my parents and to have all my family and friends watching at home.
Anything you’ve found different about living in Ottawa?
I have loved living in Ottawa so far. For it being the capital, it has such a quiet and tight knit feel to it that I really love. It is also so cool how much the city has rallied around the Charge!
How has the transition been, going from college hockey to the pros?
Pro hockey is definitely faster and more physical than college, but I am lucky enough to be surrounded by incredible hockey players and humans that have helped me get my feet under me.
What are your interests these days outside of hockey?
I love to read in my free time, go for walks, watch shows with my roommates, and eat some of my favorite food, like sushi!
In her first four pro games, Guilday got more ice time than any other Charge skater and stood second on the team with three points. And as a testament to her popularity as a teammate, even as a rookie, defenceman Sam Isbell offered to give her the number 5 jersey she’s always worn.
After her less-than-ordinary journey to get here, Rory Guilday is fitting in just fine in the Capital, ready to help power the Charge for a long time.
