Ottawa Charge goaltender Emerance Maschmeyer (38) eyes the puck as Montreal Victoire's Clair Degeorge (26) tries to score during third-period PWHL hockey action in Ottawa on Friday, Dec. 6, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Patrick Doyle

OTTAWA - There's little Emerance Maschmeyer can't do.

She's not only the starting goaltender of the PWHL's Ottawa Charge but a proud new mom and entrepreneur. Despite balancing a hectic, sometimes seemingly overwhelming life, Maschmeyer is thriving.

After playing in all but one game last season, the Charge was looking to reduce Maschmeyer’s workload this year. But the 30-year-old has made that difficult, having appeared in eight of the team's 10 contests thus far.

"It's very difficult to pull her from the net when she's in her rhythm and finding her way," said Charge coach Carla MacLeod. "She's just a steady beacon for our group, and, you know, in several of those she's the reason we walked away with a point."

Maschmeyer has the league's second-best save percentage at .933 while facing a PWHL-high 255 shots. Ottawa sits fourth in the overall standings with a 4-0-2-4 record.

"I love having that friendly competition within our team," Maschmeyer said, referencing the club's other two goalies Gwyneth Philips and Logan Angers. "But having Gwyn step in for some minutes has helped me add a few years to my career.

"It’s a win-win for everyone."

MacLeod also spoke of Maschmeyer’s ability to help those around her improve while also acting as a mentor.

“I give a lot of credit to Masch,” she said. "She's been incredibly helpful and incredibly supportive.

"It's who she is as a person and as a leader and recognizing that it’s going to benefit our team if she's trying to help our goalie group. All three of them are driving one another."

Having the odd game off has been beneficial, allowing Maschmeyer to focus on recovery.

"Last year, I played almost all the minutes and it was hard to recover during stretches with multiple games in a short span," she said. "This season, balancing recovery has made a huge difference for my body and my game."

Off the ice, Maschmeyer’s days are no less packed. She and her partner, former Canadian Olympic netminder Genevieve Lacasse, welcomed their first son, Beckham, in September. Maschmeyer admits motherhood has surpassed all her expectations.

"It's a love you just can’t explain," she said. "He's changed our world in so many ways.

"It's just been amazing.”

Maschmeyer admits she’s very fortunate to have a supportive partner who understands the challenges and demands of the game.

"At home, I’m full-on mom, and when I'm at the rink, I’m the pro athlete," said Maschmeyer. "It's about being present in each role.

"Gen understands everything I’m going through. We have such a great partnership, and she’s always there to help me keep things in perspective.”

Maschmeyer has also taken on entrepreneurship.

Last season, she launched a merchandise line, EM38, which started in response to a lack of league-branded gear. It has now grown into a meaningful way to connect with fans.

"It's so rewarding to see fans wearing the merch and feel that connection," she said. "It's also been a creative outlet for me, exploring my business side while staying connected to the community."

Connecting with the community is a priority for Maschmeyer. With a strong social media presence, she's used her voice to connect with fans on a personal level, sharing not just her hockey journey but also her life as a mother and advocate for the LGBTQ+ community.

"Women's hockey used to focus solely on us as athletes," said Maschmeyer. "But fans want to connect with us as people.

"For me, it's about being visible, sharing my story, and hopefully giving others the courage to share theirs."

Part of that story included sharing her and Lacasse’s fertility journey, which resonated deeply with many.

"It took courage, but it was worth it," admitted Maschmeyer. "So many people are going through this, and if we can offer even a little hope or support, it makes a difference."

Maschmeyer is hoping to make a difference for the Charge this season. The club is chasing its first playoff appearance, after just falling short last season.

Ottawa resumes action Sunday in Quebec City taking on the Montreal Victoire. Maschmeyer is expected to get the start.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 17, 2025.

Note to readers: This is a corrected story. An earlier version erroneously stated that Maschmeyer was 39 years old.

News from © The Canadian Press, 2025