Toronto Sceptres Explained

Current:2024–25 Toronto Sceptres season
Bg Color:
  1. FFFFFF; border-top:#0067B9 5px solid; border-bottom:#0C2340 5px solid;
Team:Toronto Sceptres
Logosize:125px
City:Toronto, Ontario
League:PWHL
Arena:Coca-Cola Coliseum
Colours:Blue, navy, gold and yellow
Owner:Mark Walter Group
Gm:Gina Kingsbury
Coach:Troy Ryan
Reg Season Titles:1 (2023–24)
Championships1 Type:Walter Cups
Championships1:0

The Toronto Sceptres are a Canadian professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario. They are one of the six charter franchises of the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL). They host games at Coca-Cola Coliseum at Exhibition Place in downtown Toronto (the same building where American Hockey League's Toronto Marlies play their home games as well). Toronto topped the standings in the league's inaugural regular season.

History

Founding and inaugural season

On August 29, 2023, it was announced that Toronto would be home to one of the PWHL's first six franchises.[1] [2] This ensured the continuation of professional women's hockey in the city after the folding of the Toronto Six and the Premier Hockey Federation earlier that summer—the Six were that league's final champions.[3] The PWHL announced on September 1 that Gina Kingsbury, the former vice president of hockey operations at Hockey Canada and general manager of the Canadian women's national team, would be the PWHL Toronto's general manager.[4] [5] On September 15, Troy Ryan, the head coach of the Canadian women's national team, was announced as the team's first head coach.[6] [7]

Toronto's first three players—Canadian national team members Sarah Nurse, Renata Fast and Blayre Turnbull—were signed to three-year deals on September 5, 2023.[8] The team selected 15 players at the inaugural PWHL draft on September 18; the team's first pick, at second overall, was veteran Canadian national team defender Jocelyne Larocque.[9] Ahead of the start of the inaugural season, Turnbull was named team captain, with Fast and Larocque to serve as assistant captains.[10]

In November 2023, it was announced that the team's colours would be blue, black, and white.[11] The same month, it was announced that the Mattamy Athletic Centre in the old Maple Leaf Gardens would become the team's home.[12]

On January 1, 2024, Toronto hosted the first ever PWHL game at Mattamy, with visiting PWHL New York posting a 4–0 victory over Toronto.[13] The teams faced each other again on January 5, with Toronto securing its first win by a score of 3–2; Natalie Spooner scored the first goal in team history in the second period.[14] On February 16, Toronto hosted its first game at Scotiabank Arena against PWHL Montreal, a match dubbed by the league as "The Battle on Bay Street".[15] The game set a league and women’s hockey attendance record with a sellout crowd of 19,285, beating the previous record of 18,013 set at the 2013 IIHF Women's World Championship.[16] Two months later, on April 20, Montreal hosted Toronto at the Bell Centre, selling out the arena and setting another new attendance record at 21,105 in a game known as "The Duel at the Top" because the two teams were vying for first place.[17] [18] Toronto became the first team to clinch a playoff spot, and clinched first overall on May 1. Spooner led the league in both goals and points.[19] On April 30, 2024, it was announced that PWHL Toronto would relocate from Mattamy Athletic Centre to Coca-Cola Coliseum to host its playoff games.[20] Toronto elected to play PWHL Minnesota in the first round of the playoffs.[21] & hosted them for their inaugural playoff game on May 8; Toronto won 4–0 in front of a sold-out crowd.[22] Despite winning the first two games at home, Toronto went on to lose three straight and the series and were eliminated from playoff contention.[23]

After the season, Spooner was named the league's first winner of the Billie Jean King MVP award; she was also named the league's top forward. Kristen Campbell won top goaltender honours, while Troy Ryan was named coach of the year.[24]

On September 3, 2024, Coca-Cola Coliseum was officially announced as PWHL Toronto's primary venue for the 2024–25 PWHL season.[25]

Team identity

Like all six charter PWHL franchises, Toronto operated without unique branding for the league's inaugural season—the team was known as PWHL Toronto and wore a league-wide jersey template that featured the city's name diagonally on the front.[26] The team did have its own colour scheme, featuring blue and black. In October 2023, the league registered a trademark for the name Toronto Torch.[27] However, when the league unveiled franchise names in September 2024, Toronto was named the Sceptres, referencing the city's regal history—Toronto was once home to the Queen of Canada.[28] The Hockey News reported that other names in contention for Toronto included the Sentinels and the Tempest.[29]

In addition to the Sceptres moniker, the team's logo was unveiled as stylized "TS" initials, and yellow was added to the team's colour scheme.

Players and personnel

Current roster

[30] [31]

Team captains

General managers

Head coaches

First-round draft picks

See main article: List of Toronto Sceptres draft picks.

Notes and References

  1. News: Wyshynski . Greg . August 29, 2023 . Six inaugural franchises revealed for new PWHL . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230901224830/https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/38282089/new-professional-women-hockey-league-reveals-six-franchises . September 1, 2023 . September 5, 2023 . . en.
  2. Web site: Dachman . Jason . January 30, 2024 . Inside the Whirlwind Launch of the Professional Women's Hockey League's Broadcast Operations . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240203192639/https://www.sportsvideo.org/2024/01/30/inside-the-whirlwind-launch-of-the-professional-womens-hockey-leagues-broadcast-operations/ . February 3, 2024 . May 31, 2024 . sportsvideo.org . Sports Video Group . en.
  3. News: McGran . Kevin . September 20, 2023 . Toronto Six president excited for the future of women's hockey, but mourns a team left in the ashes . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240106185818/https://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/toronto-six-president-excited-for-the-future-of-women-s-hockey-but-mourns-a-team/article_d4093a07-fa54-5284-bfc5-139072e86f1a.html . January 6, 2024 . January 6, 2024 . Toronto Star.
  4. Web site: September 1, 2023 . PWHL names six general managers as teams begin roster construction . September 5, 2023 . . . September 5, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230905132246/https://www.sportsnet.ca/women-hockey/article/pwhl-names-six-general-managers-as-teams-begin-roster-construction/ . live .
  5. Web site: Kennedy . Ian . September 1, 2023 . Gina Kingsbury To Step Away From Role With Hockey Canada . September 17, 2023 . . en . September 19, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230919015938/https://thehockeynews.com/womens/.amp/international/gina-kingsbury-to-step-away-from-role-with-hockey-canada . live .
  6. Web site: September 15, 2023 . Ryan, MacLeod headline PWHL coaches . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230917195457/https://www.sportsnet.ca/women-hockey/article/ryan-macleod-headline-pwhl-coaches/ . September 17, 2023 . September 15, 2023 . . The Canadian Press.
  7. News: Ngabo . Gilbert . September 15, 2023 . Team Canada coach Troy Ryan adds Toronto PWHL job . . September 17, 2023 . September 16, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230916130057/https://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/troy-ryan-adds-toronto-pwhl-coach-to-golden-resume/article_77c9c03b-34ec-5892-a66d-f191338dd3d4.amp.html . live .
  8. News: September 6, 2023 . Sarah Nurse, Blayre Turnbull and Renata Fast sign with Toronto's PWHL franchise . . . September 7, 2023 . September 7, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230907190655/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/article-sarah-nurse-blayre-turnbull-and-renata-fast-sign-with-torontos-pwhl/ . live .
  9. News: Kennedy . Ian . September 18, 2023 . Jocelyne Larocque Goes Second Overall To Toronto In PWHL Draft . . September 19, 2023 . September 21, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230921005543/https://thehockeynews.com/womens/pwhl/jocelyne-larocque-goes-second-overall-to-toronto-in-pwhl-draft . live .
  10. News: Martin . Curtis . December 30, 2023 . Turnbull Named Toronto's Captain . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240105145512/https://thehockeynews.com/womens/pwhl/blayre-turnbull-named-torontos-captain . January 5, 2024 . January 5, 2024 . The Hockey News.
  11. News: Kennedy . Ian . November 23, 2023 . PWHL Releases Jersey Designs . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231114154251/https://thehockeynews.com/womens/pwhl/pwhl-releases-jersey-designs . November 14, 2023 . November 14, 2023 . The Hockey News.
  12. Web site: MAC Confirmed as PWHL Toronto's Home Rink . Glennie . Drew-Anne . ontherecordnews.ca . November 3, 2023 . January 3, 2024 . December 15, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231215131730/https://ontherecordnews.ca/mac-confirmed-as-pwhl-torontos-home-rink/ . live .
  13. News: Donkin . Karissa . January 1, 2024 . New York shuts out Toronto in 1st PWHL game as Canada's Shelton leads the way . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240104112103/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/pwhl/pwhl-toronto-new-york-season-opener-recap-jan-1-1.7072109 . January 4, 2024 . January 5, 2024 . CBC Sports.
  14. News: January 5, 2024 . Maltais' short-handed goal lifts Toronto over New York for 1st PWHL win . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240108110655/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/pwhl/toronto-new-york-pwhl-recap-jan-5-1.7076329 . January 8, 2024 . January 14, 2024 . CBC Sports . AP.
  15. News: January 25, 2024 . Scotiabank Arena to host PWHL's 'Battle on Bay Street' between Toronto, Montreal . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240126050438/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/pwhl/pwhl-toronto-montreal-scotiabank-arena-1.7094871 . January 26, 2024 . January 26, 2024 . CBC Sports . . en.
  16. News: Ibrahim . Abdulhamid . February 16, 2024 . PWHL Toronto tops Montreal 3-0 in front of record-setting crowd at Scotiabank Arena . The Globe and Mail . Toronto . en . February 17, 2024 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240217174124/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/article-pwhl-toronto-tops-montreal-3-0-in-front-of-record-setting-crowd-at/ . February 17, 2024.
  17. Web site: PWHL-leading Toronto clinches playoff berth, wins in OT before record crowd in Montreal. Rainbird . Daniel . April 20, 2024 . April 20, 2024 . CBC Sports.
  18. Web site: Nurse OT winner breaks Montreal hearts as Toronto wins PWHL 'Duel at the Top'. Rowe . Daniel J. . April 20, 2024 . April 20, 2024 . CTV News.
  19. News: Kennedy . Ian . May 6, 2024 . Spooner Wins PWHL Scoring Race, Hits 20 Goal Mark . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240506145042/https://thehockeynews.com/womens/pwhl/spooner-wins-pwhl-scoring-race-hits-20-goal-mark . May 6, 2024 . June 9, 2024 . The Hockey News.
  20. News: April 30, 2024 . Toronto, Montreal shift to larger venues for best-of-5 PWHL semifinals . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240501155315/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/pwhl/pwhl-toronto-montreal-arenas-playoffs-1.7189640 . May 1, 2024 . May 11, 2024 . . The Canadian Press.
  21. News: Sadler . Emily . May 6, 2024 . Toronto chooses to face Minnesota in first round of PWHL playoffs . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240507012338/https://www.sportsnet.ca/pwhl/article/toronto-chooses-to-face-minnesota-in-first-round-of-pwhl-playoffs/ . May 7, 2024 . May 7, 2024 . Sportsnet.
  22. News: Brady . Rachel . May 8, 2024 . Toronto pounds Minnesota with 4-0 win in PWHL playoff opening . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240509212958/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/article-toronto-pounds-minnesota-with-4-0-win-in-pwhl-playoff-opening/ . May 9, 2024 . May 11, 2024 . The Globe and Mail.
  23. News: Ganter . Mike . May 19, 2024 . Not the ending they wanted, but PWHL Toronto's first year a success . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240519235235/https://torontosun.com/sports/hockey/pwhl/not-the-ending-they-wanted-but-pwhl-torontos-first-year-a-success . May 19, 2024 . May 21, 2024 . Toronto Sun.
  24. News: June 11, 2024 . PWHL Toronto forward Natalie Spooner named league's inaugural MVP . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240612034232/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/pwhl/pwhl-awards-spooner-mvp-1.7231720 . June 12, 2024 . June 12, 2024 . . The Canadian Press.
  25. News: September 3, 2024 . PWHL Toronto relocates to Coca-Cola Coliseum for 2024–2025 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240904033554/https://www.tsn.ca/pwhl/pwhl-toronto-relocates-to-coca-cola-coliseum-for-2024-2025-season-1.2168924 . September 4, 2024 . October 8, 2024 . The Sports Network.
  26. Web site: Morhardt . Meghann . December 21, 2023 . PWHL Toronto GM Says Nailing Down Team Name and Logo Are 'Low on Priority List' . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20240118121037/https://themessenger.com/sports/pwhl-logos-team-names-gina-kingsbury . January 18, 2024 . January 18, 2024 . . When the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) starts its inaugural season on Jan. 1, the league's six teams won't have names and logos. For now, the players will be wearing simple jerseys that have the city name across the front..
  27. News: Salvian . Hailey . October 26, 2023 . Potential names for PWHL's original 6 franchises revealed . subscription . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231031041041/https://theathletic.com/5002068/2023/10/26/pwhl-team-names-six-franchises/ . October 31, 2023 . October 26, 2023 . . en.
  28. News: Wawrow . John . September 9, 2024 . PWHL reveals names, logos for all 6 franchises ahead of second season . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240910150437/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/pwhl/pwhl-names-logos-reveal-1.7317373 . September 10, 2024 . October 8, 2024 . . The Associated Press.
  29. News: Kennedy . Ian . September 9, 2024 . These Were The Final Four Names In Contention For Each Of The PWHL's Six Teams . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240909151513/https://thehockeynews.com/womens/pwhl/these-were-the-final-four-names-in-contention-for-each-of-the-pwhls-six-teams . September 9, 2024 . October 8, 2024 . The Hockey News.
  30. Web site: PWHL teams unveil opening day rosters ahead of regular season opener . Sportsnet Staff . November 29, 2024 . SportsNet.ca . . November 29, 2024.
  31. Web site: Toronto Sceptres Roster . November 29, 2024 . ThePWHL.com . . November 29, 2024.

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