Ottawa Charge Head Coach Carla MacLeod Steps Away for Breast Cancer Treatment

Assistant coach Haley Irwin will serve as interim head coach during MacLeod's absence.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 11:35pm

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A ghostly, translucent X-ray image of a hockey player's torso, with the outline of the ribcage and internal organs glowing against a dark background, conceptually representing the fragility and resilience of the human body in the face of a serious health challenge.An X-ray image of a hockey player's body highlights the physical and emotional challenges faced by coaches like Carla MacLeod as they battle serious illnesses.Ottawa Today

Carla MacLeod, the head coach of the Ottawa Charge in the Premier Women's Hockey League (PWHL), will be stepping away from the team to undergo treatment for breast cancer. MacLeod, who is also the head coach of the Czechia women's national team, announced her diagnosis last fall and planned to remain involved with the team as much as possible during her treatment. With a month left in the 2025-26 season, assistant coach Haley Irwin will take over as interim head coach.

Why it matters

MacLeod's diagnosis and decision to step away highlights the challenges female coaches in professional sports can face when dealing with serious health issues. Her openness about her diagnosis also raises awareness of breast cancer and the importance of early detection and treatment. The Charge will need to navigate the remainder of their season without their experienced head coach, which could impact their playoff chances.

The details

MacLeod, 43, announced her breast cancer diagnosis in November 2025, stating that she still planned 'to be behind the bench as much as possible' while undergoing treatment. The Charge organization has said that MacLeod 'remains in good spirits and is focused on her health and recovery,' and they are fully supporting her and her family during this time. Assistant coach Haley Irwin, who has been with the team since its creation in 2023, will step in as interim head coach for the remainder of the season.

  • MacLeod announced her breast cancer diagnosis in November 2025.
  • The Charge announced MacLeod will be stepping away from the team on April 6, 2026.

The players

Carla MacLeod

The head coach of the Ottawa Charge in the Premier Women's Hockey League (PWHL) and the head coach of the Czechia women's national team. MacLeod is a former player and two-time Olympic gold medalist with Canada.

Haley Irwin

The assistant coach of the Ottawa Charge who will serve as the interim head coach while MacLeod is away for treatment.

Ottawa Charge

A professional women's hockey team that competes in the Premier Women's Hockey League (PWHL).

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What they’re saying

“Hearing those words was incredibly difficult, but I want everyone to know that I'm going to be okay. I'm incredibly fortunate to have an exceptional medical team guiding me, and together we've built a treatment plan that gives me tremendous confidence in the road ahead.”

— Carla MacLeod, Head Coach, Ottawa Charge

“She remains in good spirits and is focused on her health and recovery. The entire organization fully supports Carla and her family and asks that her privacy is respected.”

— Ottawa Charge

What’s next

The Ottawa Charge will continue their season under interim head coach Haley Irwin, with the goal of securing a playoff spot. MacLeod's long-term status with the team will be determined based on the progress of her cancer treatment.

The takeaway

MacLeod's decision to step away from coaching to focus on her health highlights the challenges female coaches in professional sports can face when dealing with serious medical issues. Her openness about her diagnosis also serves as an important reminder of the importance of early detection and treatment of breast cancer.