In a series of short profiles, Capital Current introduces some of the people working hard to improve life in Ottawa.

Who is Carla MacLeod?

Carla MacLeod is a two-time Olympic gold medalist and former Canadian hockey player. She has coached women’s hockey at the university, professional and international levels. 

What is she known for in Ottawa?

MacLeod is the first head coach of PWHL Ottawa, Ottawa’s professional women’s ice hockey team. She was appointed Sept. 16 and recently inked an extension as coach of the Czech Republic women’s team. 

What’s her background?

Hailing from Spruce Grove, Alta., MacLeod grew up playing hockey in Calgary. At 23, she made her professional hockey and Olympic debut, facing the crowd in Turin, Italy, in January 2006. With a gold medal to her name, she continued her journey with Team Canada at the 2010 Olympics, where the women claimed gold in front of hometown Canadians in Vancouver.

When MacLeod hung up her skates in 2010, she went on to coach, helping lead the Japan women’s hockey team to Olympic qualification in 2014. Before her move to the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL), MacLeod was the head coach for the University of Calgary Dinos.

What do people say about her?

Many fans anticipate an exciting season for Ottawa with MacLeod at the reins and have welcomed the head coach with positive messages on X (formerly Twitter). David Cummings, a hockey reporter for the Charlatan, recently interviewed MacLeod and told Capital Current that he thinks MacLeod is the right person for the job.

“She’s a pretty top-tier choice for Ottawa’s head coaching job,” Cummings said. “She’s had a super decorated career as a player and a coach already.”

What’s something people don’t know about her?

Despite growing up with a dog, MacLeod told the Canadian Sport School Hockey League (CSSHL) that she is not a pet person. 

“I’m a non-animal person. It’s probably a little bit to do with our lifestyles and our schedules and the travel,” MacLeod said in an article by the CSSHL before the 2020/21 season. “Trying to wrangle 20 teenagers seems to be enough to fill my cup every day.”

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