Former UNB Reds goalie joins the Ottawa Charge in PWHL

Kendra Woodland takes the ice for her first PWHL game with the Ottawa Charge. (Submitted: Kendra Woodland)

University of New Brunswick (UNB) women’s hockey fans can see a recognizable name in the Ottawa Charge lineup.

Former Reds player Kendra Woodland will be the team’s third-starting goalie and played her first game in the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) last November.

“To play feels amazing, it feels almost indescribable,” Woodland said. “Obviously, ever since the league started a couple of years ago, it's been a goal of mine to reach and it's been amazing to live it through and to be here.”

Woodland graduated from UNB in 2024 after playing for the school for five seasons. During that time, she won three Atlantic University Sport championships and earned the record for most wins and games played as a UNB women’s hockey goalie.  

“We're just so proud of her … it was always her dream to play professionally afterwards and continue to play hockey,” said Reds Head Coach Sarah Hilworth. 

She said Woodland was one of the best players in their league from day one and described her goaltending style as confident and composed. 

“She's just someone who can make a save when you need it and be the backbone of any team,” she said. “She’s calm under pressure and she's good at just being a general from the back.”

Woodland earned 53 wins with UNB and had a .941 save percentage. (Submitted: Kendra Woodland)

Woodland’s journey to PWHL wasn’t a straight shot from university. She returned to her hometown, Kamloops, B.C, after going undrafted in 2024. 

“Unfortunately, [I] came up short and couldn't get my foot in the door for a tryout opportunity,” she said.

Not willing to give up, she trained with the Junior A Kamloops Storm and the WHL’s Kamloops Blazers until she signed as a free agent training camp invite with Ottawa.

She learned that she made the Charge during her exit interview. The first people she called with the news were her parents.

“They were both equally emotional, just as I was,” she said. “They've been supporting me, obviously, my whole life and just to see myself achieve a goal that I've been setting my mind to for so long and for them to see me achieve that, it was really special for them.”

Woodland said that playing at UNB helped her prepare for the big leagues by learning professionalism. 

She said the biggest difference between university and PWHL hockey is the level of physicality. 

“You talk to a lot of the girls and, after games, they say they feel it in their bodies. It’s really, really demanding. The games are hard. They're rock’em sock’em,” she said. 

Woodland thinks that the fans in Ottawa have been amazing so far. 

The team sells out nearly every night, showing interest in women’s professional hockey.

“The dedication to our team and organization has been amazing to see and it really makes you feel like you're part of something way bigger than yourself,” she said. “So that's definitely been a really special part of being a part of this organization.”