Eight Sceptres Headed To Olympics

There will be no shortage of Toronto Sceptres players representing their countries at the XXV Winter Olympics starting next month.  Six players from the team were named to Team Canada, and two players were chosen for Team Sweden.

In addition, Toronto coach Troy Ryan and general manager Gina Kingsbury will maintain the same respective roles for the Canadian National Women’s Team that will attempt to defend its 2022 gold medal win from Beijing.

Here’s a look at each Sceptres player selected:

Renata Fast, defender, Canada

The reigning PWHL Defender of the Year, Fast will be looking to add a second gold medal to complement the one she earned four years ago in Beijing, having also earned Olympic silver in 2018. Her excellent skating stride and physical presence made her a virtual lock to make this year’s squad. “We have an extremely experienced group who knows how to win,” Fast said. “”When you believe it doesn’t matter, there’s a ton of power in that. That’s what Canada always done in the face of adversity.”

Sara Hjalmarsson, forward, Sweden

Named to her third Olympics, Hjalmarsson turns 28 years old on February 8, the day that her team faces France in Group B Preliminary Round play.  Hjalmarsson is a versatile forward who has been rotated through the lines by Troy Ryan throughout the season, and has also been deployed on special teams.  Despite being held off the scoresheet in twelve games 2025-26, her defensive prowess – especially in the corners – makes her a tough opponent.

Anna Kjellbin, defender, Sweden

The 31-year-old from Goteberg was named captain of Tre Kronor, and will be representing her country at a second Winter Olympics. Kjellbin has been a steady third pairing defender for the Sceptres, and brings leadership and a veteran presence to her team, having also played in six World Championships.

Emma Maltais, forward, Canada

The pesky power forward joins her fellow Burlington native Renata Fast on the roster and will be making her second Olympic appearance. A premier agitator whose trademark is getting under the skin of her opponents – especially the Americans – Maltais trails only Sceptres teammate Emma Gentry with eight PIMs this year. She has compiled three gold medals and two silver at the past five Women’s World Championships.

Ella Shelton, defender, Canada

The 5-foot-8 workhorse from Ingersoll, Ont. boasts the same Olympic and World Championship resume as Emma Maltais. She has a booming shot from the point which will undoubtedly elevate Canada’s power play. Shelton also brings a strong defensive awareness, making her the consummate two-way defender.

Natalie Spooner, forward, Canada

Spooner is just one of four players on this year’s roster who is making her fourth Olympic appearance dating back to Sochi in 2014, joining Jocelyne Larocque (Ottawa), Brianne Jenner (Ottawa) and Marie-Philip Poulin (Montreal). A 5-foot-10 powerful skater with a nose for the net, Spooner hasn’t quite regained her form since sustaining a devastating knee injury in 2024, but has impressed Team Canada brass enough to play in what is likely her last Olympics. 

Blayre Turnbull, forward, Canada

Competing in her third Olympics, the 32-year-old native of Stellarton, N.S. uses her blazing speed to drive hard to the net. Fans who have closely followed the Sceptres have taken notice that she gets at least two or three dangerous scoring chances per game, many of them on breakaways. “It’s just as special now as it was the first time I was told that I was going to represent Canada at the Olympics,” Turnbull said, “You just feel so much pride because it’s so hard to make this team. It’s extremely special.”

Daryl Watts, forward, Canada

At 26 years old, the Sceptres’ leading scorer is making her Olympic debut.  Watts’s playmaking ability and lethal shot have demonstrated why Toronto protected the hometown forward in last summer’s expansion draft and signing window. Finishing third in PWHL scoring last season, Watts was the second-fastest player to reach 50 career PWHL points. “I’m so excited for Daryl,” teammate Renata Fast said. “She’s had this dream for a really long time and she’s made some adjustments to get to this point. It’s really exciting to see that the hard work she’s put in and the sacrifices that she’s made have paid off.

Neither Jessie Compher nor Savannah Harmon, who both played on the team that earned Olympic silver for Team USA in 2022, was named to this edition of the American roster.