OTTAWA —
At age 37, Jocelyne Larocque doesn’t know how many more seasons she has left to play.
The Ottawa Charge defenceman is the oldest player in the Professional Women’s Hockey League and she'd love nothing more than to win a Walter Cup before she retires.
Larocque was instrumental in getting her team a little closer to securing a playoff berth by notching a goal and an assist in a 5-1 win over the New York Sirens on Saturday.
“She’s been doing it for a long time,” said Charge interim head coach Haley Irwin. “She’s very athletic, she’s very committed to who she is as an athlete, and you can see that out there.”
With two games remaining, the Charge (8-7-1-12) hold the fourth and final playoff spot. Ottawa has a five-point lead on the Sirens and Toronto Sceptres.
Ottawa can punch its playoff ticket with a win in any fashion Wednesday against the Boston Fleet.
“We kind of see that as a playoff win,” Larocque said of Saturday’s game. “I mean, these points, yeah, they’re definitely important and it was great. And it was just a huge team win.”
Larocque’s goal proved to be the winner. She made a big block on the penalty kill and followed the play down ice where she picked up a Brianne Jenner rebound for her first goal of the season.
When asked if she took more pride in the goal or the block, Larocque quickly said “both.”
Larocque’s impact on the team is invaluable. The Charge’s younger players consider themselves fortunate to learn from her and the club's other more experienced players.
“I’m so grateful to be able to play with them, and especially Joce is such a great leader, such a strong leader, someone I look up to very much,” said rookie Peyton Hemp, who also had a goal.
“I know all the girls are so comfortable going to her for any questions. (She's) such a sound defenceman and really knows her stuff. Just so fun to be able to learn from her and play with her.”
Jenner, Ronja Savolainen and Rebecca Leslie had the other Ottawa goals. Paetyn Levis replied for the Sirens.
Larocque carries a puck from last year’s playoff run in her toiletry bag and says every time she looks at it she’s reminded of how badly she wants to win a championship with this squad.
“What’s so great about this team is we all love the game, but we, like, absolutely love each other,” said Larocque. “I’ve been on a lot of teams that have a lot of love, but like this one’s really special.”
Should Ottawa fail to clinch Wednesday, the season will come down to an April 25 game against the Sceptres.
This wouldn’t be new territory for the Charge. Their playoff hopes came down to the last game of the year in the last two seasons.
Ottawa fell short in its inaugural campaign but clinched a playoff spot last year with a 2-1 overtime win against Toronto.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 18, 2026.
Lisa Wallace, The Canadian Press
