Image credit: CFJC Today

By Marty Hastings

PWHL DREAMS

Woodland will chase first pro contract with Ottawa Charge at November training camp

Jul 8, 2025 | 6:30 PM

KAMLOOPS — Kendra Woodland is one step closer to becoming the first player from Kamloops to crack a Professional Women’s Hockey League [PWHL] roster.

The 25-year-old goaltender on Monday [July 7] signed a Training Camp Player Agreement with the Ottawa Charge.

“It’s been a long year and a half trying to find purpose to train and to keep pushing and find a way into the league,” Woodland said. “It’s definitely rewarding to be able to get that opportunity. I think I’ve said from day one that all I need is an opportunity.”

Woodland’s hopes of being the first player from Kamloops drafted into the league were dashed on June 24, when she was not one of the 48 selected in the 2025 PWHL Draft in Ottawa.

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After being passed over twice, the Westsyde secondary graduate who starred at the University of New Brunswick is no longer eligible to enter the draft.

The disappointment of not hearing her name called last month was dulled when Woodland’s camp was contacted by the Charge and Montréal Victoire within days of the draft.

After discussion with her agents, Woodland decided the Charge present the best opportunity for her to crack the active roster, which is likely to include three netminders.

Ottawa has an undisputed starter in Gwyneth Philips, who captured the Ilana Kloss Playoff MVP Award last season after posting a 1.23 goals against average and .952 save percentage in eight-post season games.

The Charge selected Sanni Ahola of St. Cloud State University in the fifth round of the 2025 PWHL Draft.

Logan Angers was on the Ottawa roster last season, but her one-year contract has not yet been renewed.

“It’s the PWHL, so it’s going to be a huge level up, but I believe I’m ready for the challenge,” Woodland said, noting she has crossed paths with Ottawa head coach Carla MacLeod while on Hockey Canada duty. “I’ve been training for a year and a half now. This is something that I’ve been thinking of since I was a little girl, so it’s an opportunity that I don’t want to waste.”

The Charge’s training camp gets underway in November.

“After those two and a half weeks are up, I’ll hopefully be able to negotiate a contract if they do decide that they want me on the roster,” Woodland said.

The Charge reached the best-of-five PWHL final last season, but fell in four games to the Minnesota Frost, with each contest decided in overtime.

Free-agent goaltenders who sign their first PWHL contract can often make between U.S. $38,000 and U.S. $40,000 per season.

“I’m hungry,” Woodland said. “It’s been a long time coming.

“I’m really looking forward to the next couple of months where I can put all my energy into training and giving myself the best opportunity to succeed.”