Toronto, Ottawa Make Waves With Massive Blockbuster Deal

Where were you when the Toronto Sceptres and the Ottawa Charge turned the women’s hockey world upside down with a monstrous trade? Personally I was watching football and needed a good few hours to unpack the deal that sent forward Victoria Bach and defender Jocelyne Larocque to Ottawa, in exchange for defender Savannah Harmon and forward Hayley Scamurra.

It took just six games into the 2024-25 PWHL season for us to see our first trade. At the time of the trade, the Sceptres sit fifth in the league standings while the Charge aren’t far ahead in fourth. 

All four players in the trade were inaugural season draft picks of their respective former teams. Scamurra was selected by Ottawa with the 29th overall pick. Last season she scored five goals, which included the franchise first in team history, she had five assists to go along with her goals in 24 games. In her six games played, she is pointless in 2024-25. 

Scamurra has been with the U.S. National team since 2018. The 30-year old forward could benefit from the fresh start in Toronto where she will have the opportunity to play with some high end scoring talent. 

Harmon was Ottawa’s first-ever draft pick where she was selected fifth overall during the inaugural PWHL draft. Last season the 29-year old defender scored three goals and had nine assists. Like Scamurra, she is also pointless so far this season. Harmon is also a member of the U.S. National team and will look to bring some offense to Toronto’s blueline. 

“Trading any player is a difficult decision,” said Mike Hirshfeld, Charge General Manager, in the league's press release. “Savannah was our first-ever first round draft pick, and we appreciate all that she did for our organization and wish her the best of luck with Toronto. Hayley will always be remembered as the first player to ever score a goal for the Ottawa Charge.” 

Larocque has been a massive cornerstone on the Canadian National Team’s blueline where she has been since 2008. She was Toronto’s first-ever draft pick as they selected her second overall. As the current oldest player in the league, Larocque has an abundance of experience that will benefit Ottawa’s young core. 

The 36-year-old arrives in Ottawa with 12 career PWHL points and a plus-8 rating.

Bach is the fourth and final piece of the Monday night blockbuster. She was Toronto’s seventh-round pick during the inaugural PWHL draft and hasn’t really found her stride with the Sceptres. At the time of the deal, Bach had one goal to go along with her five points last season. 

Bach has spent time with the Canadian National Team since 2017 and has the opportunity to fit really nicely on Ottawa’s roster. The former rookie of the year in the CWHL in 2018-19, she can play winger and centre. 

Whenever a trade happens in any sport or any league, the immediate need to pick a winner always comes out. For me if I did have to pick a winner, it would be Toronto. They got younger and faster. Now that's not to say I don’t like the deal for Ottawa. Ottawa could benefit from the leadership and experience that Jocelyne Larocque brings, while Bach can hopefully provide a new look for Ottawa’s forward core. 

It won’t take long for Toronto and Ottawa to see their new players in action. Funny enough, the Sceptres host the Charge on Tuesday night at Coca-Cola Coliseum where all four players will be available to play for their new teams.