PWHL’s Toronto Sceptres hoping third time’s the charm

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In year three, the Toronto Scepter are once again contenders for the Walter Cup and are now warily aware of the obstacles that prevented them from getting there in the first two seasons.

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Could this be the year when everything comes together for the Sceptres? It's definitely possible.

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But just as there were obstacles in the first two years (unpreventable injuries, inconsistent goaltending situations) that prevented them from succeeding in the playoffs, there are sure to be new ones in year three.

The good news is that this team, which returns its leadership group and much of its core despite a talent-draining expansion draft and an equally skill-sapping free agency period, has learned to adapt and roll with the shocks that come in professional sports.

In fact, on the first day of training camp this year, the group was already addressing the elephant in the room – as some of them described it – talking openly about how poor starts in both of their first two years hurt their chances of success come playoff time.

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In both cases, the team managed to overcome these starts, finishing first overall in the first year and second in the second year.

But both times the Scepters faced the eventual league champions in the playoffs, both times losing to the Minnesota Frost in the first round.

This core believes it is better to get through these difficult times and believes that even in a year where many seem to be giving the title to one of the strong newcomers in Vancouver and Seattle, they can win the Walter Cup this season.

Below we'll explain why this team believes it has such potential.

DO THE SCEPTERS COMMENT ON EXPANSION LOSSES FOR SOME PROFIT IN FREE AGENCY?

There is no doubt that the expansion process has taken away some of what was Toronto's roster.

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Gone are Hannah Miller, Sarah Nurse and their first three picks in the 2025 draft — forward Julia Gosling, guard Megan Carter and forward and former Patty Kazmaier winner Izzy Daniel. The team also parted ways with starting goaltender Kristen Campbell, sending her to Vancouver in a draft night trade, and lost Hayley Scamurra to Montreal as a free agent.

It's not easy to overcome, but GM Gina Kingsbury has rallied brilliantly to provide a consistent presence in goal for Montreal's Elaine Chuly, veteran forwards Claire Dalton and Claire DeGeorge, also from Montreal, and, in her offseason coup, lured world-class defender Ella Shelton from New York in another trade on draft night.

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If its lineup is half as good at hitting as Kingsbury has proven to be this offseason, the Scepters will play in the Walter Cup finals.

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HOW WILL THIS TEAM COMBINE ALL THE LOST ATTACKS?

No one or even two players will be able to compensate for these losses in attack.

However, Ella Shelton's appearance will be significant in this regard. Renata Fast doesn't have much company when it comes to being an elite shooting guard in the league, but Shelton is right up there.

In fact, Shelton scored more points in his first two seasons than Fast, who won PWHL Defensive Player of the Year.

Between the pair, head coach Troy Ryan is counting on additional contributions from his back end – not just in terms of scoring, but in terms of making the offense easier for everyone involved by making more consistent breakout routines and simply getting the puck into the offensive end more regularly.

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But that's not the only source of additional offense Ryan is counting on to potentially ease the load on returning offensive stars like Daryl Watts and Jesse Compher. The Scepter head coach is being proactive by moving Emma Maltais to center in hopes of generating more offense from the Team Canada veteran, who had a strong off-season and strong summer at national team training camp.

Ryan also asks Captain Blair Turnbull has put some of its renowned defensive focus into its own attacking game. this season.

And of course, PWHL Season 1 MVP and leading scorer Natalie Spooner is back, fully healthy, having had a productive off-season and ready to once again establish herself as one of the league's most dangerous players.

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Between all this, Ryan – and Turnbull for that matter – are confident there will be a breach.

WHAT ABOUT THE GOALKEEPER SITUATION?

Despite their popularity among fans, Kristen (Soupy) Campbell and the Sceptres were forced to part ways. She needed a fresh start, and the Scepters needed more consistency from their starting goalie. Campbell has been too inconsistent – sometimes outstanding, but sometimes, like in last year's playoffs, just not reliable enough – for the Sceptres.

Ryan is pleased to see this match play out as returnees Raegan Kirk and Chuli have a chance to earn the top spot in goal for Toronto.

But Ryan is equally ready to compete in a tandem similar to what two-time Minnesota champion Frost did with Maddie Rooney and Nicole Hensley.

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Kirk has shown herself to be more than capable in an injury-interrupted rookie year, while Chuli is a durable veteran capable of winning a goal, splitting a goal, or even supporting Kirk if it comes down to it, as she did successfully in Montreal behind Anne-Renee Desbien.

WHAT HELP DID THEY RECEIVE FROM THE PROJECT?

Even after trading their first-round pick (third overall) to New York in the Shelton deal, the draft appears to have brought a ton of talent to the Scepters.

Of course, it's still very early, but at least three of this year's draft picks already look like players who will make an impact this season. They will be Emma Gentry of St. Cloud State, Ciara Zanon of Ohio State and Clara Van Wieren of the University of Minnesota Duluth.

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Gentry is the prototype power forward that will soon be the talk of the league. Solid combination of physicality, competitiveness and sheer talent. She is a time bomb waiting to explode for the rest of the league.

All Zanon has done to attract attention is score in both of the Sceptres' exhibition games, while Van Wieren is another big-time figure who boasts a strong shot and a level of skill that should help her become a prolific player sooner rather than later.

IS THERE A PLAYER WHO CAN SURPRISE THIS SEASON?

Yes, yes, there is, and this is a player who is in his third year. Maggie Connors has largely been a regular in Ryan's rotation for two seasons, but she returns this year looking like a player determined to do more than just fill a role.

Connors, a native of St. John's, Netherlands, and Princeton graduate decided to spend much of the summer in Toronto training at Gary Roberts Performance, where good hockey players come to become great.

Connors has mostly lived in Roberts' gym this summer, and that was evident in training camp, where her speed and offensive nature stood out.

It wouldn't be a surprise if Connors exceeds expectations this season.

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