Q&A with Ottawa Charge GM Michael Hirshfeld

With the PWHL's sophomore season just a month away, I sat down to chat with Ottawa Charge general manager Michael Hirshfeld to discuss the season that's passed, free agency and the offseason, and his expectations for training camp and the year ahead.

Answers have been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Melissa Burgess: Take me back to last season - first season of the PWHL, first season as GM in Ottawa for you. How do you think the season went overall?

Michael Hirshfeld: Overall, we're very proud of what we built in Ottawa; I think we laid a terrific foundation for long-term success with our fanbase, but also on the ice. Overall, I'm really proud of what we accomplished and I think we're in a great position for season number two.

Melissa: What's the offseason been like for you?

Michael Hirshfeld: It's been great, to be honest with you. It's been a real opportunity to take a step back... Everything we did last year was the first time we were doing it. We were reactionary in a lot of situations; we just didn't have time to stop and take note and think strategically about things, because... there was so much going on in such a short timeframe.