In this series of short profiles, Capital Current introduces key persons of influence in the city to the community.
Who is she?
Goaltender Gwyneth Philips returns for her second year in net with the Professional Women’s Hockey League’s Ottawa Charge.
In Philips’ rookie season, she won the Ilana Kloss trophy as playoff MVP. She also helped Team USA win silver at the IIHF Women’s World Championships. Based on her success, Philips will likely start in goal for the Charge this season.
What’s her background?
Originally from Athens, Ohio, Philips started her professional goaltending career with the Pittsburgh Penguins U14 Elite team. Following her early career, she was scouted by the Northeastern University Huskies.
During her 2022-2023 season at Northeastern, Philips earned the top save percentage in Division One women’s university hockey in the United States. Her record left to her being drafted by the Ottawa Charge.
What is she known for in Ottawa?
One of Philips’ most recognizable moments came when the Charge’s starting goaltender, Emerance Maschmeyer, was injured during last season’s playoffs. Philips stepped up and led the team to the finals.
“In the first round, [she was] outduelling Montreal to allow us to move on to the finals,” said Pierre Groulx, an assistant coach with the Ottawa Charge, who described Philips as “carrying that over to the Minnesota series, which in the end she won the playoff MVP on the losing side.”
In the playoffs, Philips improved her save rate by 3.3 per cent, leading to a playoff save rate of 95.2 per cent. She gained recognition from not only her team, but her opponents and fans.
What do people say about her?
During her time with the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite, Northeastern’s head coach Dave Flint scouted her. What he noticed was “her athleticism and the effortlessness of moving around the net,” Flint told the CBC.
Coach Groulx described her as someone who is always looking to lift up her teammates. “She comes to the rink with a smile on her face every day. She wants to compete, she wants to help her teammates,” he said.
What’s a lesser-known fact about her?
Although Philips is a professional hockey player, she often spends her free time away from hockey. “She doesn’t go home and watch hockey a lot like other hockey players do,” said Groulx.
“She’s not a hockey nut by any means. She loves the game, but she’s not one who goes out and just studies the game at home.”
Outside of the rink, Philips balances life and hockey, often preferring to spend time with her French bulldog, Paris.
