How Ottawa Charge star Rebecca Leslie managed to crack Team Canada's roster

It took Rebecca Leslie becoming a millennial for her to get recognized by Hockey Canada again.

Okay, so the 14 goals she scored for the Ottawa Charge last season probably helped, too.

Leslie, the star of her local hometown Professional Women’s Hockey League team, has been named to Canada’s national squad for the 2026 IIHF Women’s World Hockey Championship in Herning and Esbjerg, Denmark next month.

Joining her on Team Canada will be Charge teammate Sarah Wozniewicz, a Cochrane, Alberta native who had seven goals and six assists in a strong rookie season last year.

Leslie will be donning her national colours for the first time since the 2019 Rivalry Series, and just the second time since 2014, when she had two goals and three assists in five games at the U18 Women’s World Championship.

“It’s really a surreal feeling,” Leslie, who turned 30 on May 8, said in an interview with TSN1200. “Anytime you get to represent your country, it’s a huge honor. I’m just really thankful for my journey, and getting here wasn’t easy, so I’m just really proud.”

Leslie has raised her play in big games throughout her career.

As a PWHL rookie with Toronto in 2024, she had a goal in five playoff games despite scoring just two in 24 during the regular season, and after signing with Ottawa the next year, she followed a one-goal, 27-game campaign with two goals in eight postseason appearances.

She carried an all-around standout performance in the 2025 playoffs with breakthrough production last season, when her 14 goals tied her for second in PWHL scoring.

Leslie also scored a dramatic last-minute goal in the Walter Cup final and led the Charge with four goals in eight playoff games last spring.

In need of an offensive shot in the arm, Canada hopes Leslie can keep shining on the global stage.

“I’ve looked up to so many players that have worn the Team Canada jersey that represented our country,” said Leslie. “When you are a hockey player in this country, that’s your goal. And for me, it’s been my goal since I was a little girl.

“I’ve had a few tastes of playing on the national team, but to be named to my first Worlds is a huge honor, and I’m just really excited.”

It was a dream she had given up on achieving.

“I think that maybe a few years ago, I would have told myself that it would be impossible for me to play on the national team again, and I think I was okay with that,” said Leslie. “But as the league progressed and we had the opportunity to play, I know I can keep up with the best players in the world, and so I’m just really excited for the opportunity to represent my country.

“Whether I’m doing it at 30 or at 25, it still feels the same, and it feels like a little kid on Christmas morning. I’m just super excited.”

In a youth movement, left off the roster were Team Canada veterans Brianne Jenner, who was the Charge captain before being selected by Hamilton in the PWHL expansion draft, and current Charge defender Jocelyne Larocque.

Here’s the entire Canadian squad for the 10-team world tournament, which features the United States, Czechia, Switzerland, Germany and Austria in Group A and Canada, Finland, Sweden, Japan and Denmark in Group B.

It includes the player’s hometown and current PWHL team.

Goaltenders

Ann-Renee Desbiens, Saint-Aime, Que., Montreal Victoire.

Eve Gascon, Saint-Jerome, Que., University of Minnesota Duluth (NCAA)

Kayle Osborne, Westport, Ont., PWHL Hamilton

Defenders

Erin Ambrose, Keswick, Ont., Montreal Victoire

Kendall Cooper, Oakville, Ont., PWHL Las Vegas

Renata Fast, Burlington, Ont., Toronto Sceptres

Nicole Gosling, London, Ont., PWHL Hamilton

Sophie Jaques, Toronto, Ont., Vancouver Goldeneyes

Chloe Primerano, North Vancouver, B.C., University of Minnesota (NCAA)

Ella Shelton, Ingersoll, Ont., Toronto Sceptres

Kati Tabin, Winnipeg, Man., Montreal Victoire

Forwards

Emily Clark, Saskatoon, Sask., PWHL Hamilton

Jessie Eldridge, Barrie, Ont., Montreal Victoire

Sarah Fillier, Georgetown, Ont., New York Sirens

Caitlin Kraemer, Waterloo, Ont., University of Minnesota Duluth (NCAA)

Rebecca Leslie, Ottawa, Ont., Ottawa Charge

Emma Maltais, Burlington, Ont., Montreal Victoire

Sara Manness, Ile des Chenes, Man., Clarkson University (NCAA)

Hayley McDonald, East St. Paul, Man., Ohio State (NCAA)

Kristin O’Neill, Oakville, Ont. , PWHL San Jose

Danielle Serdachny, Edmonton, Alta., Seattle Torrent

Laura Stacey, Kleinburg, Ont., Monteal Victoire

Rosalie Tremblay, St.-Bruno-de-Montarville, Wisconsin University (NCAA)

Daryl Watts, Toronto, Ont., PWHL Detroit

Sarah Wozniewicz, Cochrane, Alta., Ottawa Charge

Canada opens the tournament with a game against Sweden on Nov. 6 at 9 a.m. (ET)