Charge acquire Jocelyne Larocque, Victoria Bach from Sceptres for Savannah Harmon, Hayley Scamurra

The first trade of the 2024-25 PWHL season is a doozy.

On Monday night, the Ottawa Charge acquired defender Jocelyne Larocque and forward Victoria Bach from the Toronto Sceptres. In return, the Sceptres received defender Savannah Harmon and forward Hayley Scamurra.

All players have been on their respective teams since the inaugural season, including Harmon, the Charge’s first-ever draft pick in the 2023 PWHL Draft. That said, Ottawa general manager Mike Hirshfeld is excited about what Larocuqe and Bach are bringing to his team.

“We are excited to add Jocelyne and Victoria to our organization,” Hirshfeld said. “Jocelyne’s résumé speaks for itself, and we are delighted to add her experience and leadership to our locker room, where she will be an important player for us this season. Victoria has terrific offensive skills that will be a welcome addition to our team.” 

On the other side, Larocque is not only leaving Toronto, but leaving her longtime defense partner, Renata Fast. The two have been joined at the hip not only in the PWHL but for Team Canada under Sceptres head coach Troy Ryan. Sceptres GM Gina Kingsbury knows the team is replacing one talented blueliner with another.

“This trade gives us a dynamic offensive-minded defender that will enhance our power play,” Kingsbury said. “Savannah has been a revered defender in our game, and we are excited to work with her.  Hayley brings experience and plays the game with a similar identity to what we pride ourselves with in Toronto. Her competitiveness and intensity will add to our lineup and enhance what our team is capable of.” 

Larocque finished the inaugural season with a goal and 10 points, with a plus/minus of +8. Through six games this season with the Sceptres, the 35-year-old has posted two assists with a zero rating.

Bach has been a capable depth piece for Toronto over the brief tenure in the PWHL. A seventh-round pick in the 2023 draft, the former Team Canada star has one goal this season with the Sceptres after scoring two goals and five points last season, in which she missed time due to injury.

Harmon was arguably Ottawa’s best defender last season. The former Buffalo Beaut potted three goals and nine assists for 12 points with a -2 rating, though she has test to register a point in 2024-25.

Scamurra, another player with international experience with the U.S., was a key secondary scorer as Ottawa made a late push for a playoff spot in year one. The 28-year-old scored five goals and 10 points, but like Harmon, has yet to score a point so far this season.

To make this trade even more interesting, the Sceptres and Charge face off on Tuesday night to close out 2024.

The Sceptres (2-0-1-3) are tied with the Charge (2-0-1-3) for fourth in the PWHL.