Emerance Maschmeyer: From Goalie to Ottawa Beloved

When Emerance Maschmeyer signed with the new Ottawa women's hockey franchise in 2023, she didn't expect that in two years she would acquire not only a team, but also a family and devoted fans.

Now she's moving to Vancouver, becoming part of the expansion of the rapidly growing PWHL. But behind her is a team built from scratch and a new stage in her life: in 2023, she married former teammate Genevieve Lacasse, and in the fall, they had a son, Beckham.

In Ottawa, Maschmeyer became a true symbol of the team - the most reliable goalie, the first in the league to stop more than 1,000 shots, and an example of resilience: even with an injury, she continued to train to be with the team in the final.

But it wasn't just her game that made her a fan favorite. Maschmeyer always made time for her fans — an autograph, a conversation, a photo. “You never know what word might inspire someone,” she says.

With her move to Vancouver, Emerance is saying goodbye to Ottawa, but not to its residents: “They’re still my fans. I think they’ll support Ottawa — but they’ll support me a little bit, too.”

This is where her professional career began. This is where her son was born. “Ottawa will always have a special place in my heart,” Maschmeyer admits.