Mike Hirshfeld’s career has been an interesting ride, filled with diversity.
From his early days building pitching mounds in minor league baseball to negotiating benefits for NHL coaches, Hirshfeld has always adapted to the next challenge. So when the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) came calling, starting a brand new league, he was ready again for something new.
“My first experience in sports was working in minor league baseball for the Welland Pirates,” Hirshfeld says. “It was a great way to learn—these minor league teams have very limited finances and, as such, you wear multiple hats… From there I had jobs with the Ottawa Lynx and eventually the Toronto Blue Jays.”
Mike Hirshfeld, General Manager of the Ottawa Charge, previously led the NHL Coaches’ Association before joining the PWHL to help shape a legacy league for women’s hockey. | Photography by Sean Sisk.
After years away from the rink, including a stint in law and finance, Hirshfeld returned to hockey as Executive Director of the NHL Coaches’ Association. But it was his connection with Jayna Hefford, the PWHL’s Executive VP of Hockey Ops, that would ultimately lead him to the Ottawa Charge.
“I was incredibly excited to be offered the GM position in Ottawa,” he explains. “The opportunity to join the PWHL and to help these world-class female athletes build a legacy league was enticing.”
In just two seasons, Hirshfeld and head coach Carla MacLeod helped turn the Charge into one of the PWHL’s most competitive teams, culminating in a run to the league final last season.
But the 2025 offseason has brought more change into Hirshfeld’s world. The PWHL expanded and his team lost several core players to the new franchises. Fans, emotionally invested in the team’s early stars, were vocal about their disappointment.
Still, as the Ottawa weather starts to cool, there’s optimism in the air. The Charge have pivoted with new draft picks and roster additions and Hirshfeld is pumped for what lies ahead.
How did the opportunity to become GM of the Ottawa Charge come about, and what drew you to this position?
As Executive Director of the NHL Coaches’ Association, I had the opportunity to meet Jayna Hefford (Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations at the PWHL). She was working diligently to launch the PWHL at the time and we would meet for coffee occasionally to discuss her plans and I’d offer any assistance that she required.
I was incredibly excited to be offered the GM position in Ottawa. In the later stages of my career, it was important to me to take on a role where you can have a real impact. I had moved over from the NHLCA where the work that was done had impacted thousands of NHL coaches and their families and the opportunity to join the PWHL and to help these world-class female athletes build a legacy league was enticing. Waking up every morning knowing the work you are doing will have an impact on the next generation of young women and girls is certainly motivating.
Looking back at the first two seasons, how would you describe them?
Exhilarating. Electrifying. Unbelievable. When I came on board, I knew that this league would be successful, but I don’t think any of us ever imagined the success we would achieve so quickly and the wide-reaching impact these athletes would have. The passion of our fans, the connection to our players, the walk-ins, the signs—I feel fortunate to even be a small part of it.
Reaching the PWHL Final this year was a major milestone. What was that playoff run like from your perspective?
Stressful and nerve-wracking but, more than anything, I was incredibly proud of our players and staff. They had worked so hard for the last two years to achieve this type of success so to see their efforts rewarded made all the ups and downs worthwhile. They deserved their success and all the credit for the playoff run.
Photography by Sean Sisk.
This offseason, the team lost several key players through the expansion draft and free agency. How difficult was that, and how have you dealt with it as GM?
It was disappointing to see players leave Ottawa, particularly those who had been with us since our inauguration. I completely understand and empathize with how our fans feel—they have been growing and connecting with these players for two seasons.
However, it is an exciting time for our league and our sport. Two new expansion teams means new opportunities for 46 new players and it also means thousands of new fans in new cities will be exposed to the incredible skill and athleticism of our athletes. These are exciting developments.
I can assure you that Carla, myself and our staff work every day at building a team that the fans of Ottawa will be proud of. We are enthusiastic about the new players we have brought in for this season and are confident about the season ahead.
Let’s talk about the new additions. What can fans expect from the players you’ve brought in this offseason?
We are excited about our group and believe we can build off our playoff success from last year. We have high hopes for our draft picks this season. Rory Guilday, our first-round pick, has the chance to be one of the best defenders in this league. Anna Shokhina, our second-round pick, is an incredible offensive talent.
In addition to those two names, I would highlight Elizabeth Giguere. She is a former Patty Kazmaier Award winner (top player in NCAA) and we are excited about the skill and goal scoring ability she will bring to our team.
Carla MacLeod has received praise for her leadership style. What stood out to you during the hiring process?
I have worked with NHL coaches for 8 years and when I met with Carla I knew almost immediately that she would be a great coach for the Ottawa Charge. First, she is a terrific communicator. As a former elite level player herself, she connects to players and gives them confidence and self-belief. Also, she is so positive all the time. Our organization believes in building people up and she exemplifies that approach and the culture we are trying to build.
What’s your message to Charge fans heading into the fall? What should they be excited about?
We are so grateful for all your support. We are so privileged to play in front of you—you always have our backs and lift us up.
I appreciate it has been a difficult off-season with players leaving Ottawa as part of expansion, but I know that it is a positive sign for the health of our league and the sport we love. I can assure you that we have worked diligently to build a team that you will be proud of this season, and we will give our best effort to try and bring a championship to Ottawa.
As Mike Hirshfeld knows all too well, change isn’t a setback. Sometimes it’s even a sign that something bigger and better is coming.
Written by Steve Warne | Photography by Sean Sisk
