THUNDER BAY – Samantha Isbell has officially signed a one-year contract with the Ottawa Charge for the 2025-26 PWHL season, as a defender.
The Thunder Bay local returns to Ottawa for her second season with the team, this time as a full-roster defender after working her way up through reserve roles.
“I think just over the last couple of years, it’s taught me a lot of lessons, and I’m just happy that some hard work has finally paid off,” said Isbell told Newswatch.
Isbell’s road to the pros began with the Thunder Bay Queens, then at Mercyhurst University, where she excelled as a forward. She went on to play two independent seasons in Montreal before joining the Montreal Force of the now-defunct Premier Hockey Federation (PHF).
Her PWHL debut came in the 2023–24 season with Boston, where she was signed as a reserve out of training camp. When injuries hit Ottawa in March, she was called up and made a mid-season switch to defence.
“There was an injury in Ottawa, so I got picked up off the reserve and switched over to D,” Isbell recalled.
In 2024–25, she rejoined Ottawa as a reserve once again, signing a 10-day contract in January and appearing in three games, including a 14-minute showing against Boston. She returned in April for a second 10-day stint, stepping in for injured defender Jincy Roese in a game against the Montreal Victoire.
Now entering her third PWHL season, Isbell is focused on carving out a larger role on the Ottawa blue line.
“I feel good going into the season,” she said. “I’ve been there a couple of years, so I know the systems, and I’ve got a chip on my shoulder going in.”
She also spoke highly of assistant coach Haley Irwin, also from Thunder Bay.
“She really puts the game in perspective for you,” Isbell said. “Not everyone is lucky enough to have someone like that behind the bench and being from Thunder Bay too, that’s pretty special.”
For Isbell, Thunder Bay remains at the heart of her hockey identity.
“Every kid here plays in the winter. There’s not a whole lot else to do,” she added, “I was just at the rink nonstop growing up. Being from such a strong hockey town shaped me into the player I am now.”
With a full contract and a clear role ahead, Isbell is ready to bring her resilience and energy to Ottawa and continue making her hometown proud.
