The Toronto Sceptres, as one of the original six teams, should possess an air of dependability, a vibe of assuredness, especially ahead of a season of unprecedented growth for the league.
That, however, is simply not the case.
Instead, the off-season shuffles disrupted the most predictable and certain aspects of this team. A Daryl Watts goal to ignite Coca-Cola Coliseum is no more. Blayre Turnbull won’t suit up. Emma Maltais’ Toronto TikToks have disappeared. And there’s a new face behind the bench.
Certainly, though, there are tested and true aspects of the original Sceptres intact. Toronto fans will flood the historic home stadium. Raygun Kirk’s blocker is ready. Natalie Spooner’s veteran presence will always be a factor. But, this squad still faces a slew of unknowns.
As the blue and gold gear up for a fourth season in the league, here’s a look at five major questions they’ll face.
- How will veterans lead the way?
The Sceptres are in for unpredictability, as is much of the league following the addition of four more teams. With that will come changes to team routine and culture, new ways of running practice, and different goals for the team. In all this change, veterans will have the opportunity to step up, share from their experiences, and add stability.
If there’s one thing Natalie Spooner knows a lot about — apart from scoring goals — it’s how to face adversity.
On multiple occasions she has found herself rehabbing and preparing for a return to the ice. The first was in 2023 after she gave birth to her son Rory on December 6, 2022. That return was a quick one for her, though. Less than three months after giving birth, she was back in skates for a PWHPA event. Then, a year later, she topped the league with an impressive 20 goals and 27 points in a single season.
Her most recent return came after the PWHL’s inaugural season, where she earned MVP but also suffered an ACL surgery. Although her return to the ice didn’t come with as many points as her first year in the league, her desire to come back and the work she put in to make it happen will likely be applicable to the work this Sceptres team will need this season.
Expansion has created adversity for some teams more than others, but the successful clubs will find their way to the top because of how they are able to deal with this adversity. If frustration at the circumstance or at the products of expansion — like the consistent need to rebuild chemistry — will only derail the team. Veterans, then, will be critical for instilling confidence, persistence and strength.
- Will Renate Fast bounce back?
Coming off defender of the year honours in 2024-25, Fast fell into a slow season with the Sceptres. Her previous season with an impressive 22 points was replaced with a year that saw her get just 10.
Fast’s down year was emblematic of struggles suffered across the lineup. Everyone failed to put the puck in the net. Even with just 10 points she was still top four in the team. Considering her points are mostly made from assists, when everyone else stops scoring, her totals are greatly affected too.
The solution to produce more finishes might come from structural offensive changes encouraged by a new head coach and new lineups. With her D-partner Ella Shelton returning there’s hope that the chemistry they spent last year building can make a bigger difference this season.
- Which rookie will have the greatest impact?
This team will need to rely on young talent. With all the losses in the off-season, it will be critical for young players to take on a role early.
The Sceptres selected forward Kirsten Simms with the eighth overall pick, forward Jamie Nelson with the 20th, defender Brooke Disher with the 32nd, forward Jane Kuehl with the 44th, forward Emerson O’Leary with the 56th, and defender Alyssa Regalado with the 68th.
Simms is a proven scorer with big game experience for her time with the Wisconsin Badgers. In her final year at the NCAA level, Simms had 26 goals and 59 points. Her high assist rate makes her a threat all across the offensive zone. Simms also represented Team USA at the 2026 Milano-Cortina Olympics last year. Across seven games in the tournament she recorded a goal and an assist.
For the most part, Toronto’s defensive lines are in a good spot; there will be opportunities for rookies to develop on the third and fourth lines. In terms of forwards, however, the Sceptres look to their selections to help fill the gaps and it is very likely Simms will serve in a top six spot.
- What will the team’s leadership look like?
All three of the Sceptres’ letter wearers from last season are still with the team. Captain Blayre Turnbull is still in Toronto along with Allie Munroe and Fast who were the assistant captains.
But, during the off-season, Turnbull announced she is pregnant and will miss time with the team. For this reason, there’s an opportunity for a new leader to emerge and take on the captain role. It is likely that position will fall to Fast, Munroe or Spooner — one of the prominent veterans on the team.
Until this year, the league hasn’t had much experience with key players taking parental leave. It will be interesting to see how much Turnbull is still involved off the ice and whether she will remain a valuable voice in the locker room for even part of the season.
- How will Pascal Rhéaume fit?
For the first time in their history, the Sceptres will have a new boss behind the bench.
New head coach Pascal Rhéaume joins the team as an experienced coach who has spent many years at the AHL level, including most recently when he was an assistant coach for the Bridgeport Islanders.
What is lacking from, however, is experience coaching women’s hockey.
Sure, his sister is Manon Rhéaume, former Team Canada player and current general manager of PWHL Detroit, but that proxy experience only gets him so far.
Even so, Sceptres general manager Gina Kingsbury has faith that this change will bring trickle down changes that are necessary for a team in need of a jumpstart. After announcing his new position, Kingsbury said he will bring a needed “fresh perspective” to the team and one of his biggest assets is in player development. Both should be focal points for the upcoming season.
How, though, will this newness and change will stack up in the long run. Is a mix up a good thing, or will too much disruption become too much for the Sceptres to handle?
