The Toronto Sceptres have seen a fair bit of roster turnover this summer. Between the PWHL’s expansion process and free agency, several big-name players will be elsewhere when the new season rolls around. With a handful of unsigned draft picks, the team’s roster is relatively set, with just a few potentially open spots.
Goaltending
If there’s one place the Toronto Sceptres are set, it’s in net. The team has three goaltenders locked down for the upcoming season. Raygan Kirk returns as the team’s likely starter, but she could (once again) have some competition.
She’ll be joined by 23-year-old Grace Campbell, who signed a one-year deal this summer. Campbell is coming off four seasons at Boston College, including three as the starter. She ended her NCAA career with a 54-45-10 record, 2.35 GAA and .926 save percentage.
Jessie McPherson returns as the third goaltender for another season. She did not see any ice time this past season. For more on the Sceptres’ goaltending situation, stay tuned to The Ice Garden as Geremy is breaking down each team’s net presence!
Defense
The Toronto Sceptres have five defenders signed, with an additional two unsigned draft picks. Returning are Ella Shelton, Renata Fast, Jessica Kondas, Allie Munroe and Kali Flanagan.
The team selected Brooke Disher and Alyssa Regalado in the 2026 PWHL Draft. Neither player has signed yet. They’ve also retained the rights to Hanna Baskin with an as-yet-unsigned qualifying offer.
Depending on what happens with Baskin and the draft picks, the Sceptres could still have a few open slots on the backend. More than likely, they’re all set here. There’s a solid returning core that fans should feel good about, and adding a few youngsters to the mix will keep things fresh.
Forwards
There’s a little more flexibility when it comes to the Toronto Sceptres’ offense. The team currently has just five forwards signed: Natalie Spooner, Emma Gentry, Lauren Messier, Claire Dalton and Emma Woods.
There are also four unsigned draft picks, including top pick Kirsten Simms. Jamie Nelson, Jane Kuehl and Emerson O’Leary also remain unsigned. The Sceptres also hold the rights to Sara Hjalmarsson, Clara Van Wieren and Kiara Zanon, who all received qualifying offers. Again, depending how things shake out with all those unsigned players, there could be a few open spots left.
The team and league are also reportedly still determining how to handle unrestricted free agent Blayre Turnbull’s situation. Turnbull recently announced her pregnancy, which will result in her missing at least part of the season.
She isn’t currently signed – and thus, would not be eligible for any of the pregnancy/maternity benefits in the collective bargaining agreement. However, Sceptres GM Gina Kingsbury previously confirmed that Turnbull would receive the same compensation as last year – though nothing has been formally announced.
Realistically, I’d expect the Sceptres to sign Simms and at least two other draft picks. Doing so, along with presumably locking down most of the players who got qualifying offers, essentially wraps it up. Throw in a few training camp invites and see what comes of that to keep shoring up the offense and replace that lost by the departures of Watts, Maltais, etc.
Overall, the Sceptres definitely have a different look heading into the upcoming season. But given their sometimes lackluster performances this past season and failure to make the playoffs, that doesn’t have to be a bad thing.
Front Office
The Toronto Sceptres lost head coach Troy Ryan, who departed to lead PWHL San Jose in a dual coaching and management role. The team hired Pascal Rhéaume, who has limited head coaching experience in the QMJHL. Rhéaume spent the last two seasons as an assistant with Bridgeport in the AHL.
Tuula Puputti, the team’s director of hockey operations, has taken a job with the IIHF. We aren’t likely to know of any other front office changes until closer to the season when it comes to positions like assistant coaches, but it’s possible that Rhéaume may want to bring in a fresh staff.
Player Departures
- Elaine Chuli (New York Sirens)
- Emma Maltais (Montréal Victoire)
- Anna Kjellbin (PWHL Hamilton)
- Daryl Watts (PWHL Detroit)
- Jesse Compher (PWHL Detroit)
- Maggie Connors (PWHL San Jose)
- Kristin Della Rovere (PWHL San Jose)
- Savannah Harmon (retired)
Currently Unsigned
- Blayre Turnbull
- Brooke Disher
- Alyssa Regalado
- Hanna Baskin (received QO)
- Kirsten Simms
- Jamie Nelson
- Jane Kuehl
- Emerson O’Leary
- Sara Hjalmarsson (received QO)
- Clara Van Wieren (received QO)
- Kiara Zanon (received QO)
- Anneke Rankila
