Emily Clark departs Charge for PWHL Hamilton
Ottawa's alternate captain signs two-year deal, becoming second Charge founder to leave for expansion rival.
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Emily Clark has signed with PWHL Hamilton on a two-year contract, marking the second major departure from Ottawa's leadership group in as many weeks.
The Charge alternate captain and one of three foundational players when the team debuted in 2023 joins fellow Ottawa captain Brianne Jenner in Hamilton. Both were key pieces of the team's identity over three seasons.
Clark appeared in all 100 games in Charge history — 84 regular-season and 16 playoff games — and ranks second in franchise assists with 27 and third in goals with 16. She led the team in scoring during last year's playoffs with five points.
Her departure leaves Ottawa as the first PWHL team to have all three of its original signings depart. Goaltender Emerance Maschmeyer left for Vancouver last season.
Clark was the league's highest-paid player last season at $126,000, a significant investment Hamilton is inheriting. Charge GM Mike Hirshfeld said the team didn't protect her in this year's expansion process after protecting her during Vancouver and Seattle's roster builds.
"She took it like a professional," Hirshfeld told reporters after calling Clark to inform her.
In a social media post, Clark wrote: "Since the inaugural puck drop, I was fueled by your unwavering support and gave everything I had to this amazing city. There are countless moments from TD Place and Canadian Tire Centre where your cheers and energy was felt deeply."
The Charge faces rebuilding decisions as it reshapes its roster around remaining core players.