Canada's Mboko kicks off Billie Jean King qualifier with win over Japan's Shibahara
Victoria Mboko of Canada defeated Japan's Ena Shibahara 6-4, 6-7(8), 7-5 in the opening match of the Billie Jean King qualifier in Tokyo Sunday giving Canada a 1-0 lead.
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Vancouver Sun
03-06-2025
- Vancouver Sun
Fleet's Hilary Knight, Sceptres' Natalie Spooner highlight list of unprotected PWHL players
Several stars could be on the move as the Professional Women's Hockey League's new franchises start building their rosters this week. The league's six original teams released their lists of protected players Tuesday. The Boston Fleet are keeping goalie Aerin Frankel, defender Megan Keller and forward Alina Muller, while the championship-winging Minnesota Frost will hang on to forwards Kendall Coyne Schofield and Taylor Heise, and defender Lee Stecklein. The Montreal Victoire protected goalie Ann-Renee Desbiens, captain Marie-Philip Poulin and forward Laura Stacey, and the New York Sirens went with standout rookie Sarah Fillier, and defenders Ella Shelton and Micah Zandee-Hart. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. After making their first appearance in the PWHL final, the Ottawa Charge are hanging onto forward Emily Clark, first-year goalie Gwyneth Philips and defender Ronja Savolainen, while the Toronto Sceptres have protected defender Renata Fast, and forwards Blayre Turnbull and Daryl Watts. Just as revealing are the players that weren't included and are available for Vancouver and Seattle to sign this week or select in Monday's expansion draft. Here are some of the top players up for grabs. HILARY KNIGHT: Perhaps the most surprising name on the list of eligible players, the Boston Fleet captain is coming off a 2024-25 campaign where she tied for the league lead in scoring with 29 points (15 goals, 14 assists). The 35-year-old Knight is up for the Billie Jean King award as the PWHL's most-valuable player and has a long history on the international stage, including a gold medal with the United States at the 2025 women's world championships in April. CLAIRE THOMPSON: The Minnesota Frost had tough decisions to make after winning back-to-back Walter Cup titles, and opted to leave the 27-year-old defender exposed. Thompson put up four goals and 14 assists in her rookie season this year, and is a finalist for the PWHL defender of the year award. She also has history with Vancouver's new general manager, Cara Gardner Morey, having played for her at Princeton. ERIN AMBROSE: The veteran Canadian defender is a prime pick for expansion teams looking for both leadership and a stalwart presence on their blue line. Ambrose helped the Montreal Victoire finish the regular season atop the PWHL standings with 13 assists in 28 games. The 31-year-old from Keswick, Ont., has also been a key piece of Canada's women's squad, and won Olympic gold at the 2022 Beijing Games. ALEX CARPENTER: Over two seasons with the New York Sirens, Carpenter has emerged as an offensive specialist. The 31-year-old American notched 20 points (11 goals, nine assists) last season and was among the league's top-10 goal scorers. With ample experience on the international scene, Carpenter's presence would be missed by the Sirens. EMERANCE MASCHMEYER: A leg injury took the goalie out of Ottawa's lineup in mid-March and the Charge protected rookie netminder Philips after she backstopped the team to a nail-bitter overtime loss in the deciding game of the PWHL final. The 30-year-old Maschmeyer has big-game experience, helping Canada to gold at the 2022 Olympics. She's also coming off a season where she posted a 6-7-2-0 record with a .913 save percentage, a 2.58 goals-against average and two shutouts. NATALIE SPOONER: Spooner was named league MVP after the PWHL's inaugural season. The Toronto Sceptres forward spent much of the season rehabbing from knee surgery and played just 14 games in 2024-25, contributing five points (three goals two assists). A two-time gold medallist for Canada, the 34-year-old Spooner would add skill, experience and leadership to any expansion team. CANADIAN CONTENT: A number of the Canadians who won silver at the women's world championship in April are available to the expansion squads. Forwards up for grabs include Jenn Gardiner (Montreal Victoire), Julia Gosling (Toronto Sceptres), Brianne Jenner (Ottawa Charge), Emma Maltais (Toronto Sceptres), Sarah Nurse (Toronto Sceptres), Kristin O'Neill (Montreal Victoire), Jamie Lee Rattray (Boston Fleet) and Danielle Serdachny (Ottawa Charge). Vancouver and Seattle could also bring in defenders Sophie Jacques (Minnesota Frost) and Jocelyne Larocque (Ottawa Charge), and goalie Kristen Campbell (Toronto Sceptres). Vancouver and Seattle can sign players during an exclusive signing window between Tuesday and next Monday. An expansion draft will take place on Tuesday, followed by a league-wide entry draft on June 24.
Winnipeg Free Press
03-06-2025
- Winnipeg Free Press
Fleet's Knight, Sceptres' Spooner highlight list of unprotected PWHL players
Several stars could be on the move as the Professional Women's Hockey League's new franchises start building their rosters this week. The league's six original teams released their lists of protected players Tuesday. The Boston Fleet are keeping goalie Aerin Frankel, defender Megan Keller and forward Alina Muller, while the championship-winging Minnesota Frost will hang on to forwards Kendall Coyne Schofield and Taylor Heise, and defender Lee Stecklein. The Montreal Victoire protected goalie Ann-Renee Desbiens, captain Marie-Philip Poulin and forward Laura Stacey, and the New York Sirens went with standout rookie Sarah Fillier, and defenders Ella Shelton and Micah Zandee-Hart. After making their first appearance in the PWHL final, the Ottawa Charge are hanging onto forward Emily Clark, first-year goalie Gwyneth Philips and defender Ronja Savolainen, while the Toronto Sceptres have protected defender Renata Fast, and forwards Blayre Turnbull and Daryl Watts. Just as revealing are the players that weren't included and are available for Vancouver and Seattle to sign this week or select in Monday's expansion draft. Here are some of the top players up for grabs. HILARY KNIGHT: Perhaps the most surprising name on the list of eligible players, the Boston Fleet captain is coming off a 2024-25 campaign where she tied for the league lead in scoring with 29 points (15 goals, 14 assists). The 35-year-old Knight is up for the Billie Jean King award as the PWHL's most-valuable player and has a long history on the international stage, including a gold medal with the United States at the 2025 women's world championships in April. CLAIRE THOMPSON: The Minnesota Frost had tough decisions to make after winning back-to-back Walter Cup titles, and opted to leave the 27-year-old defender exposed. Thompson put up four goals and 14 assists in her rookie season this year, and is a finalist for the PWHL defender of the year award. She also has history with Vancouver's new general manager, Cara Gardner Morey, having played for her at Princeton. ERIN AMBROSE: The veteran Canadian defender is a prime pick for expansion teams looking for both leadership and a stalwart presence on their blue line. Ambrose helped the Montreal Victoire finish the regular season atop the PWHL standings with 13 assists in 28 games. The 31-year-old from Keswick, Ont., has also been a key piece of Canada's women's squad, and won Olympic gold at the 2022 Beijing Games. ALEX CARPENTER: Over two seasons with the New York Sirens, Carpenter has emerged as an offensive specialist. The 31-year-old American notched 20 points (11 goals, nine assists) last season and was among the league's top-10 goal scorers. With ample experience on the international scene, Carpenter's presence would be missed by the Sirens. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. EMERANCE MASCHMEYER: A leg injury took the goalie out of Ottawa's lineup in mid-March and the Charge protected rookie netminder Philips after she backstopped the team to a nail-bitter overtime loss in the deciding game of the PWHL final. The 30-year-old Maschmeyer has big-game experience, helping Canada to gold at the 2022 Olympics. She's also coming off a season where she posted a 6-7-2-0 record with a .913 save percentage, a 2.58 goals-against average and two shutouts. NATALIE SPOONER: Another surprise on the unprotected list is Spooner, who was named league MVP after the PWHL's inaugural season. The Toronto Sceptres forward spent much of the season rehabbing from knee surgery and played just 14 games in 2024-25, contributing five points (three goals two assists). A two-time gold medallist for Canada, the 34-year-old Spooner would add skill, experience and leadership to any expansion team. CANADIAN CONTENT: A number of the Canadians who won silver at the women's world championship in April are available to the expansion squads. Forwards up for grabs include Jenn Gardiner (Montreal Victoire), Julia Gosling (Toronto Sceptres), Brianne Jenner (Ottawa Charge), Emma Maltais (Toronto Sceptres), Sarah Nurse (Toronto Sceptres), Kristin O'Neill (Montreal Victoire), Jamie Lee Rattray (Boston Fleet) and Danielle Serdachny (Ottawa Charge). Vancouver and Seattle could also bring in defenders Sophie Jacques (Minnesota Frost) and Jocelyne Larocque (Ottawa Charge), and goalie Kristen Campbell (Toronto Sceptres). Vancouver and Seattle can sign players during an exclusive signing window between Tuesday and next Monday. An expansion draft will take place on Tuesday, followed by a league-wide entry draft on June 24. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 3, 2025.
Toronto Sun
30-05-2025
- Toronto Sun
Toronto teen Victoria Mboko falls to Olympic champ Zheng Qinwen at French Open
It was a major step forward for Mboko in her Grand Slam main-draw debut. Published May 30, 2025 • Last updated 0 minutes ago • 1 minute read Canada's Victoria Mboko serves against New Zealand's Lulu Sun during their first round match of the French Tennis Open, at the Roland-Garros stadium, in Paris, Sunday May 25, 2025. Photo by Christophe Ena / AP PARIS — Canadian teen Victoria Mboko's breakthrough Grand Slam run came to an end Friday at the French Open. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The 18-year-old from Toronto was beaten 6-3, 6-4 by No. 8 seed Zheng Qinwen of China in third-round action at Roland Garros. Mboko, ranked No. 333 at the start of the year, had surged into the spotlight with three straight wins in qualifying and two more in the main draw — all in straight sets — before running into Zheng, an Australian Open finalist who won Olympic gold in singles last summer on these same Paris clay courts. Zheng won 70 per cent of her first-serve points and saved six of eight break points. Mboko was broken four times and won only 38 per cent of her second-serve points. Still, it was a major step forward for Mboko in her Grand Slam main-draw debut. She'll officially enter the WTA's top 100 when the tournament wraps. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Later Friday, Leylah Fernandez of Laval, Que., and Kazakhstan's Yulia Putintseva fell 6-4, 0-6, 6-4 to Slovakia's Tereza Mihalikova and Great Britain's Olivia Nicholls. Fernandez and Putintseva converted six of nine break chances but managed to save just one of six against them in the second-round women's doubles match. Montreal's Gabriel Diallo and Great Britain's Jacob Fearnley lost in second-round men's doubles action. The pair fell 6-2, 6-3 to second-seeded Henry Patten of Great Britain and Harri Heliovaara of Finland. Patten and Heliovaara committed just six unforced errors to Diallo and Fearnley's 16, converted four of six break-point chances and saved both of their opponents'. Crime World Olympics Sunshine Girls Toronto Raptors
