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Carla MacLeod has been diagnosed with breast cancer, but the overwhelming and positive response to the announcement is giving the Ottawa Charge head coach confidence in her fight.
“The overwhelming outpouring of kindness … has really humbled me,” MacLeod said at a post-practice press conference Monday. a day after her diagnosis was made public.
“It was something I couldn’t imagine, so I’m very, very grateful to the hockey community and all the people who were able to help me in that moment.”
A two-time Olympian in women's hockey, MacLeod has coached the team since the inaugural 2023-24 PWHL season.
She will fly to Calgary on Tuesday to meet with doctors and will miss tonight's game against the Minnesota Frost but expects to return to the bench later this week.
MacLeod has also been named coach of the Czech women's ice hockey team and hopes to compete at the Winter Olympics in February.
She said she feels healthy and is grateful for the early diagnosis, and encouraged everyone to get tested and see their doctor regularly.
MacLeod told reporters she was “excited” for the next step in her treatment, getting back to health and continuing to do what she loves.
Assistant coach Hayley Irwin will take the reins in MacLeod's absence.
“We are family”
Charge players learned of the diagnosis Sunday afternoon during a team meeting with MacLeod, who said their reaction to the news was “the biggest, warmest hug I could ever get.”
Just two games into the season, the team plans to use MacLeod's absence as further inspiration when they play the Minnesota Frost in Ottawa on Tuesday.
“Our whole team supports her and we're going to miss her,” said Brianna Jenner, who woke up Monday to find herself leading the PWHL points race.
“We are a family and we want her to be okay.”
Charge players praised MacLeod's positivity.
“It hit us hard, like it hit everyone,” forward Emily Clark said. “She was so bold and brave and you wouldn’t even know it because she shows up every day with the same energy, positivity and charisma.”
