PWHL Ottawa places Becca Gilmore on long-term injured reserve, signs Malia Schneider to standard contract

During the international break, PWHL Ottawa is forced to make a roster move to fill a hole in the lineup.

On Wednesday, the team announced it placed Becca Gilmore on long-term injured reserve with an undisclosed injury. In a corresponding move, Ottawa has signed forward Malia Schneider to a standard player agreement through the end of the season.

Gilmore was injured in Ottawa’s last game before the Women’s World Championship break, when she was hit hard into the boards by Toronto captain Blayre Turnbull. The Wayland, Massachusetts native was forced to leave the game and did not return.

Gilmore was the first undrafted player to sign in the PWHL last November and made the Ottawa roster out of camp shortly after being on the United States’ roster early in the Rivalry Series. The former Ivy League Player of the Year with Harvard has played in 17 games this season, registering three assists, most recently picking up a helper in Ottawa’s 3-0 win over New York on March 20.

This news comes a week after the team announced that defender Zoe Boyd underwent successful wrist surgery. Boyd is expected to be ready in time for training camp next season.

Schneider was a late addition to the Ottawa roster. The Millarville, Alberta native joined Brynas IF of the SDHL after being placed on the team’s reserve list coming out of training camp. Schneider was signed to Ottawa’s reserve list prior to the roster freeze last month but has yet to see any action.

In 12 games with Brynas, the 25-year-old scored five goals and five assists. Schneider played seven playoff games, before MoDo eliminated her team in the semifinals.

Ottawa (7-0-6-6) is in sole possession of the fourth and final playoff spot in the PWHL heading into the break, five points ahead of fifth-place Boston. Their first game back will be on April 20, when they host Minnesota.