TORONTO (AP) — Two teams striving for success in the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) have executed a critical trade that could reshape their futures. The Ottawa Charge and Toronto Sceptres, currently tied for fifth place in the league with identical records of two wins, three losses, and one overtime loss, finalized a four-player deal on Monday.

The Charge gained forward Victoria Bach and defenseman Jocelyne Larocque from the Sceptres in exchange for forward Hayley Scamurra and defenseman Savannah Harmon. “Trading any player is a difficult decision,” noted Charge general manager Mike Hirshfeld. “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,” he added, recognizing the importance of the players involved.

Bach, who had three goals and three assists across two seasons with the Sceptres, was selected in the seventh round of the inaugural PWHL draft. Meanwhile, Larocque, a pivotal player for Canada’s national team with three Olympic appearances, was previously a second overall pick by Toronto.

The trade also involves Harmon and Scamurra, both members of the U.S. national team who earned silver medals at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. “Mixed emotions, I guess this morning,” expressed Sceptres general manager Gina Kingsbury. “But I’m excited for what’s to come, so I have a positive outlook right now,” emphasizing her mixed feelings on losing valued players.

For the Charge, the acquisition of Larocque brings an added layer of leadership and physical edge to their roster, with Hirshfeld expressing optimism about Bach’s offensive potential: “We believe she was underused the past two seasons in Toronto.”

The nature of this trade reflects each team's distinct strategies, with Ottawa focusing on enhancing its toughness while the Sceptres prioritize offensive skill. “We’re constantly trying to look at it with a critical eye of how can we perform better,” stated Kingsbury, clarifying the alignment of Harmon’s skillset with the high-tempo style they seek.

The trade brings immediate implications with all four players anticipated to make their debuts when Toronto hosts Ottawa shortly after the swap. The significance of this trade stands out as the most substantial in the PWHL thus far, following the league's first trade earlier this year involving a three-player swap.

This deal could prove pivotal for both teams as they aim to improve their standings in the competitive PWHL landscape. For more insights on women’s hockey news, visit AP Women’s Hockey.