Prime Minister Mark Carney joins Ottawa Charge on the ice

April 15, 2026 Oliver Obel

Prime Minister Mark Carney stepped away from Parliament and onto the ice Tuesday, joining the Ottawa Charge for a practice that doubled as a moment of political and cultural connection.

The visit, first reported by the Ottawa Citizen, saw Carney skate alongside players at TD Place Arena, wearing team gear and briefly taking part in on-ice drills. Using a stick wrapped in rainbow tape, he completed a few rotations with the team and even beat a goaltender with a well-placed shot during the session.

“We’re fortunate to have the Charge,” Carney said while speaking with reporters rinkside.

He later added, in French, that the team’s growing popularity could soon push it beyond its current arena, though he did not take questions.

The appearance coincided with a diplomatic visit from Finnish President Alexander Stubb, who joined Carney at the practice during his first official bilateral meeting in Canada. The two leaders later gathered with players for a group photo, highlighting the intersection of sport and international relations.

Carney’s comfort on the ice reflects a long-standing connection to the game. He previously served as a backup goaltender at Harvard University in the mid-1980s and later played at Oxford. On Tuesday, however, he skated out as a forward, moving through drills with ease and drawing encouragement from players.

One of the more lighthearted moments came when Carney snapped a shot into the top corner of the net and dropped to one knee in celebration, prompting cheers from the team.

Charge captain Brianne Jenner described the experience as unique for everyone involved.

“They were great sports, and they did really well on the drills. It was super special,” Jenner said. “I think we can all recognize what’s special about hockey is it unites our communities and brings us all together, and it brought our countries together today.”

Following the skate, players gathered around as Carney spoke about the team’s influence, particularly its role in inspiring young girls, and offered support for the remainder of the season.

The visit carried additional meaning for the Charge’s Finnish players and staff, who had the opportunity to speak with President Stubb during the practice.

“It was an honour to meet our president. You never get to do that, so it was actually so cool,” said Ronja Savolainen. “We know he’s cheering and that he’s going to watch our games, so we better play good.”

Ottawa currently holds the final playoff spot in the PWHL standings and will return to action Saturday against the New York Sirens, with three regular-season games remaining.

Sources: Ottawa Citizen, Postmedia