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The second Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) season is set to begin later this month, and the Toronto Sceptres are gearing up to rebound after suffering a first round exit in the playoffs at the hands of the Minnesota Frost in May.
“I don’t think last year was a great season,” said Sceptres head coach Troy Ryan at a press conference on Nov. 12. “I think it’s even a bit of a disservice to be talking about last season. When you get a group of new players, a group of new staff, everything’s moving forward.”
Let’s take a look at the most notable changes heading into the start of the Sceptres’ season.
Addition of Vicky Sunohara to coaching staff
The coaching staff is continuing to be bolstered by adding the current head coach of the University of Toronto Varsity Blues women’s hockey team Vicky Sunohara as a coach consultant. Sunohara has a 286-118-35 record with the Varsity Blues during her 12 year stint as head coach.
“[Sunohara will] be more involved with our coaching staff, so from anything like analyzing game tape to sharing her thoughts on a lead play on our team, jumping on the ice and being a part of practices, she’ll be a part of it,” said Sceptres general manager Gina Kingsbury at a press conference on Nov. 12.
“I think it’s a great opportunity for myself and individually, a little bit selfishly, just to learn and pick her brain as much as I can,” said Ryan. “She’s going to be a great presence.”
Absence of Natalie Spooner
The Sceptres will have to fill the void of forward Natalie Spooner, who Kingsbury announced Nov. 12 in a press conference would be missing the start of the season as she recovers from a torn ACL in the first round of the playoffs in May. She underwent immediate surgery and has been rehabbing ever since.
“There are no timelines for her,” said Kingsbury. “We’ll make sure she’s at 100 per cent when she comes back.”
During a media availability with members of the Sceptres on Nov. 13, Spooner said that her recovery journey thus far is “still just progressing” and has not experienced any setbacks.
“It’s just getting my strength back. There’s still a few more progressions, I got to get on the ice just to feel ready to go,” said Spooner. “I feel pretty good on the ice.”
Spooner was voted the inaugural Billie Jean MVP award in June after leading the league in goals last season.
While Ryan says the loss of Spooner is “very difficult,” he believes that this is an opportunity for the rest of the team to step up.
“It’s a lot of offense that we’re going to look to manufacture elsewhere,” said Ryan at the press conference. “It’s going to be a shared responsibility.”
A new home arena: Coca-Cola Coliseum
On Sept. 3, the Sceptres announced that Coca-Cola Coliseum will be the new permanent home arena for the team after opening the first season at the Mattamy Athletic Centre (MAC). The team played all three of their postseason games at Coca-Cola Coliseum.
At a press conference, captain Blayre Turnbull said that the change in scenery makes the game-to-game logistics “way easier” to manage.
“There were times where it would take me over an hour and a half to get to on a game day. That’s not our game,” said Turnbull. “It was also difficult sometimes for us to even have a pregame skate, so just it’s the ease that it brings to our game day schedule.”
The arena also offers more space for fans to watch games, which according to the PWHL’s website averaged 8,500 fans in attendance spanning throughout those three games, selling out the space. According to Toronto Metropolitan University Bold’s website, the MAC can only hold 2,600 fans in its hockey rink.
In a press conference, defender Jocelyn Loreque said that the upgrade in arenas allows for the players to establish genuine experiences with those in attendance.
“I find that fans are almost on top of you, it’s such a great way to make really quick connections,” said Loreque. “I think that’s a nice touch at Coca-Cola [Coliseum] that I think will make a huge impact.”
Training camp for the Sceptres began on Nov. 12, and the season is set to begin on Nov. 30 at Coca-Cola Coliseum against the Boston Fleet.
My name is Adriana Fallico, and I am interested in all things current affairs, political discussions and fashion. You can always find me glaring at my phone or worshipping the PWHL Toronto team.
