The Ottawa Charge have officially bid farewell to TD Place Arena after three seasons, with the team announcing a move to the Canadian Tire Centre for the upcoming Professional Women's Hockey League season. On July 9, Charge general manager Mike Hirshfeld confirmed a multi-year deal to practise and play at the larger venue, marking the end of an era for the franchise.
A Historic Home in Ottawa
TD Place Arena, opened in 1967 and located beneath the north grandstand of TD Place Stadium, served as the Charge's home since the team's inception. The venue, with a capacity of approximately 8,300, hosted the franchise's inaugural home game on a record-setting night. On that occasion, 8,318 fans packed the arena to watch the then-nameless PWHL Ottawa team play, setting a new attendance record for a professional women's hockey game at the time.
Over three seasons, the arena became known for its electric atmosphere and passionate fan base. According to the team, the crowd noise often made communication difficult during TV timeouts, a testament to the energy that defined TD Place.
Memorable Moments and Emotional Farewell
Forward Emily Clark, who spent three seasons with the Charge before signing with PWHL Hamilton, reflected on the venue's significance. "No matter where this team ends up playing, TD will always have a special place in my heart and in this organization's history," Clark said during the team's end-of-season availability.
Defender Jocelyne Larocque recalled her first "Charge thunderclap"—a fan tradition—as a standout moment. She joined the team via trade from Toronto and experienced the team's first home win after three straight losses. "I was like, 'Wow, this is so fun,' and I had a huge smile on my face. That's always something that I'll never forget in this rink," Larocque said. "And then just not even being able to communicate during TV timeouts, because it's so loud."
The final practice at TD Place on April 28 ended with a team cheer that included "Bye TD!"—a moment that seemed to foreshadow the move. The team then traveled to Boston for the PWHL semifinals, with the league having already announced that Canadian Tire Centre would host Ottawa's playoff games.
Impact and Future at Canadian Tire Centre
The move to Canadian Tire Centre, which seats 17,153, will allow more fans to attend games and is expected to boost the team's revenue and visibility. However, the transition marks a bittersweet departure from the intimate venue where the franchise built its identity. The Charge's fan base, widely regarded as one of the most passionate in the league, was cultivated night after night at TD Place.
As the team prepares for the next chapter, the legacy of TD Place Arena remains integral to the Ottawa Charge's story. The arena may be aging—now 59 years old—but it provided a foundation for women's professional hockey in the nation's capital.
