No one can blame the Toronto Sceptres for entering the 2025-26 campaign – the third PWHL season – with a chip on their shoulder. In the first two years, Toronto finished first and second, respectively, in the regular season to earn home-ice advantage in the playoffs.
Both times, the team was unceremoniously bounced by the Minnesota Frost in the first round.
The Sceptres’ season opens Friday at Grand River Casino Arena, the home rink of their playoff nemesis. When coach Troy Ryan watches, through gritted teeth, the Frost raise their second consecutive Walter Cup banner to the rafters, he’ll do so guiding a roster with an upgraded blue line and a bulkier forward unit.
Ella Shelton, obtained via a draft day trade with New York, gives the Sceptres a dominant one-two punch on the blue line, along with Renata Fast, the reigning Defender of the Year. Shelton and Fast aren’t even likely to play as a pairing, however as long as either of them is on the ice, it will create misery for their opponents. On Wednesday, the team announced the signing of Shelton to a one-year contract extension.
“Everyone’s been super excited, the staff has expressed how happy they are to have me in this market, and the players are too – it feels really homey and it feels really good. It makes me want to go out and win a Walter Cup with this group – more than once,” Shelton said via a media release.
Up front, the team is showcasing a top line of Emma Maltais, centring Daryl Watts and Natalie Spooner. The latter is looking for a bounce-back year after seeing limited action in 2024-25 while recovering from a knee injury. Maltais scored twice in Toronto’s final pre-season game, a 3-0 win over Ottawa.
Meanwhile a host of the Sceptres’ 2025 draft picks: Emma Gentry, Kiara Zanon, Clara van Wieren and Sara Hjlamarsson have made the opening roster. Gentry (first round) and Zanon (second round) each found the net as linemates in the team’s 3-2 pre-season victory versus the Charge on November 16.
The additions of Gentry (listed at 5-foot-11) and Hjlamarsson (5-foot-9) give Toronto a strong presence along the boards and in the corners.
In the absence of Sarah Nurse and Hannah Miller – lost to Vancouver in the expansion draft – returnees Blayre Turnbull, Jesse Compher and Maggie Connors will be among the players who’ll be expected to help offset the loss in production.
Between the pipes, there is no clear primary goaltender as the team appears to be content to play a tandem of Elaine Chuli and Raygan Kirk for the foreseeable future. Chuli made 11 of 13 saves in the first exhibition game; Kirk had a 23-save shutout in the team’s second pre-season outing.
Jessie McPherson, the team’s third goalie, signed a two-year contract to complete the 23-player active roster (13 forwards, seven defenders, three goalies).
“There’s a special excitement that comes with a new season—especially with so many new faces in the room,” general manager Gina Kingsbury said in a statement.
“What stands out is how quickly this group has connected off the ice. It’s a strong foundation as we continue to build our chemistry and deepen the appreciation we have for one another and the opportunity we have collectively in front of us.”
Following Friday’s game in Minnesota – the PWHL season opener – the Sceptres will have eight days off before their home opener versus Boston on November 29.
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