Mariah Keopple's early goal holds up as the game-winner, Victoire steamrolls New York
Mariah Keopple scored one of six goals for the Victoire, and PWHL-leading Montreal dominated the Sirens, 6-2.
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CTV News
13 hours ago
- CTV News
Sceptres re-sign former PWHL MVP Spooner to two-year contract
Toronto Sceptres' Natalie Spooner (24) celebrates scoring against the Montreal Victoire with her teammates during the first period of PWHL hockey action in Toronto on Thursday, March 6, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Thomas Skrlj The Toronto Sceptres re-signed former MVP Natalie Spooner to a two-year deal on Tuesday. Spooner, who turns 35 in October, appeared in just 14 games this Professional Women's Hockey League season after returning from knee surgery, finishing with five points (three goals, two assists). She sustained the injury in a playoff game against Minnesota in May 2024 — a season in which she led the PWHL in goals (20) and points (27) en route to being named the league's inaugural MVP. Toronto also re-signed 25-year-old forward Jesse Compher to a two-year deal. She's coming off a breakout season, recording nine goals and nine assists in 30 games. The retention of Spooner and Compher was vital for Toronto, which lost star forward Sarah Nurse to PWHL Vancouver and saw all three of its top picks in last year's draft — forwards Julia Gosling (Seattle) and Izzy Daniel (Vancouver) and defender Megan Carter (Seattle) — scooped up in the expansion process. The Sceptres also lost forward Hannah Miller, who had a breakout season and finished among the league's top six scorers, to Vancouver in free agency on Monday. Toronto added depth as well, signing goaltender Elaine Chuli and forward Claire Dalton away from Montreal. Both were signed to one-year contracts. Meanwhile, Vancouver continued to fill out its expansion-season roster by signing forwards Michela Cava and Tereza Vanisova to two-year contracts, and defenders Mellissa Channell-Watkins (one-year deal) and Emma Greco (two years). Cava won back-to-back Walter Cup titles as a member of the Minnesota Frost. The 31-year-old from Thunder Bay, Ont., had nine goals and 10 assists in 30 games last season. In Minnesota's two post-season runs, Cava has put up 13 points (seven goals, six assists) in 18 contests. Vanisova tied for second in the PWHL with 15 goals this season — including two hat tricks, tied with Montreal's Marie-Philip Poulin for the league lead — and added seven assists for the Charge. The 29-year-old from Czechia has totalled 17 goals and 17 assists in 53 career games after being selected by Montréal in the seventh round of the inaugural draft and joining Ottawa at the inaugural trade deadline. Channell-Watkins, who won back-to-back Walter Cups as a member of the Minnesota Frost, has signed for the 2025-26 season. She was a fixture on the Frost blue line, suiting up for 53 regular-season games (one goal, eight assists) and 18 playoff contests (one goal, eight assists) for the two-time champions. Greco, who won a Walter Cup with Minnesota during the inaugural season and spent the 2024-25 campaign with the Boston Fleet, has signed a deal through the 2026-27 season. She contributed three assists and finished fifth on the Fleet with 35 hits. In other moves, the Charge also lost forward Shiann Darkangelo after she was signed to a two-year deal by the Montreal Victoire. Darkangelo had eight goals and nine assists in 29 regular-season games for the Charge this past season. She added one goal in eight post-season contests as the Charge defeated Montreal in four games en route to the Walter Cup final in their first playoff appearance. Ottawa later fell to the Frost in four games. The 31-year-old from Brighton, Mich., was traded to Ottawa from Boston in the PWHL's inaugural season. The signing comes just over a week after Montreal lost forwards Jennifer Gardiner and Abby Boreen to Vancouver through the expansion process. The Boston Fleet also re-signed forward Susanna Tapani to a one-year deal. The 32-year-old from Finland had 11 goals and seven assists in 30 games for the Fleet this past season, finishing third in team scoring. Boston lost MVP candidate Hilary Knight and top rookie Hannah Bilka to Seattle in the expansion process. Seattle signed defender Mariah Keopple to a one-year deal on Tuesday, and then later added forward Lexie Adzija on a two-year deal. The 24-year-old Keopple, from Menomonie, Wisc., spent the past two PWHL seasons with the Victoire after earning a roster spot out of the team's 2024 training camp. Across two seasons with the Victoire, she appeared in 53 regular-season games, recording seven points (three goals, four assists) and also suited up for seven playoff contests. Adzija joins Seattle from the Boston Fleet, where she competed following her acquisition from Ottawa via trade during the league's inaugural season. The 24-year-old native of St. Thomas, Ont., appeared in 36 regular-season games with Boston, registering three goals and six assists, and contributed one goal in eight playoff games. Over her PWHL career, she has appeared in 53 regular-season games, tallying 17 points, including eight goals. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 17, 2025. The Canadian Press
Toronto Star
13 hours ago
- Toronto Star
Toronto Sceptres bring back key forwards Natalie Spooner and Jesse Compher
Natalie Spooner is staying put. The Sceptres ' forward and former PWHL's Most Valuable Player has signed a two-year extension to stay with Toronto through 2026-2027. 'As someone born and raised in Toronto, it means so much to represent my hometown. This city, this team, and our amazing fans have a special place in my heart,' the 34-year-old star said in the team statement announcing her signing Tuesday. 'I'm grateful for the opportunity to continue building something special here and can't wait to bring a Walter Cup to Toronto.' Spooner, who previously played for the Toronto Furies in the defunct Canadian Women's Hockey League, took the PWHL by storm in the first season and finished it with the league-leading 27 points and 20 goals. But a devastating ACL injury took her out of the playoffs and she stayed sidelined until this past February. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Sceptres' general manager Gina Kingsbury said in a statement that Spooner remains a significant 'piece of the puzzle' for Toronto on and off the ice. 'She is a world-class athlete that has shown just how impactful she can be in this league. With her determination and work ethic, we know Natalie will come back in Season 3 ready to help our team be successful,' Kingsbury said. Spooner's teammate and fellow forward Jesse Compher also received a similar two-year extension to stay in Toronto, as the team continues to retool and get ready for a new season after losing several players earlier. Compher, 25, had a productive season with Toronto and recorded 18 points (9-9-18) in 30 regular season games this past season. 'Playing in front of a sold-out crowd in the best city, with the most passionate fans, is an absolute honour,' Compher said in the statement. 'Over the past two years, my teammates and coaches have made this place feel like home, and I can't wait to get to work with this group.' Hockey Toronto Six star Elaine Chuli set the standard for the goalie renaissance in the PHF With the second-most wins in PHF history, Chuli is part of a group of elite goalies, which is led by Pride netminder Corinne Schroeder this season. Hockey Toronto Six star Elaine Chuli set the standard for the goalie renaissance in the PHF With the second-most wins in PHF history, Chuli is part of a group of elite goalies, which is led by Pride netminder Corinne Schroeder this season. The team had announced earlier Tuesday that goaltender Elaine Chuli signed a one-year deal along with forward Claire Dalton, the first two signings for the Sceptres this off-season. They both played the past two seasons with the Montreal Victoire. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW 'Elaine brings consistency to our team,' general manager Kingsbury said in a statement. 'A proven goalie in the league, she brings a lot of traits we value both on and off the ice. We are also excited to have signed Claire Dalton, who brings size, a great shot and a high ceiling.' Chuli helped the Toronto Six win the Isobel Cup in 2023 in the defunct Premier Hockey Federation, a year after winning the league's goaltender of the year award. 'I couldn't be more excited to be coming home to Toronto and joining the Sceptres for next season,' the Waterford, Ont., native said in a statement. 'I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to represent this city and this organization, and I'm ready to compete to bring a championship back to Toronto.' The signings come after Toronto fell to the Minnesota Frost in the PWHL semifinals for the second straight season. Kristen Campbell, the PWHL goalie of the year two seasons ago, had a strong end to her regular season but struggled in the playoffs against Minnesota, giving up seven goals in Game 3, and posting a 4.55 goals-against average over three games in the series. Head coach Troy Ryan opted to start backup Carly Jackson in the deciding Game 4, even though she had only played one PWHL game in her career, with regular backup Raygan Kirk out with injury. Both Jackson and Kirk are signed for next season. The 31-year-old Chuli, who grew up idolizing Maple Leafs goalie Curtis Joseph, started in 10 of her 11 appearances for Montreal this past season, finishing with a 2-2-1-6 record and a 2.42 GAA while backing up Ann-Renée Desbiens. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW The Sceptres' attack could use some help too, after they lost Sarah Nurse (expansion draft) and Hannah Miller (free-agent signing) to Vancouver. Dalton will be expected to help. The Toronto native had 18 points during her two-season tenure in Montreal, after 133 points in her college career at Yale University. 'I'm looking forward to coming home and playing in front of friends and family,' Dalton said in a statement. 'I've admired the competitiveness and style of play Toronto has demonstrated these past two seasons and hope to contribute positively to an already great group.' The two signings are just the first step in trying to fill out roster holes ahead of next season. Aside from Nurse and Miller, the Sceptres also lost Izzy Daniel (Vancouver), Julia Gosling (Seattle) and Megan Carter (Seattle) in the expansion draft. More new names will be added to the roster during next week's PWHL entry draft, with Toronto holding the third pick in the expanded eight-team league.
Globe and Mail
15 hours ago
- Globe and Mail
Snead helps Montreal Alouettes to 2-0 start
Tyler Snead is making the most of his opportunities early this season with the Montreal Alouettes. The third-year receiver has seven catches for 151 yards in two games. His 21.6-yard average is even more impressive considering Snead has been targeted just eight times compared to 16 for Canadian Tyson Philpot (nine catches, 90 yards and a touchdown) and 14 for Austin Mack (10 receptions, 154 yards). Snead was targeted five times in Montreal's 39-18 win over the Ottawa Redblacks last week, recording four catches for 117 yards. Mack had nine targets (five catches, 103 yards), one more than Philpot (five receptions, 42 yards). 'The coolest thing about playing in this offence, it can be anyone's week on any given gameday,' Snead said. 'We've got many plays we gameplan for based on what the coaches see and like, we have coverages we prepare for early that end up working out in our favour with some big plays. 'Later we get different looks that get people open. It just happened to be a big first half for me (versus Ottawa) but next week it could be a big first half for anybody.' Snead's start is a positive sign given he was slowed by a foot injury last season. After posting 56 catches for 788 yards and five TDs in 15 games as a rookie in 2023, the five-foot-seven, 172-pound Raleigh, N.C., native had 24 receptions for 253 yards in seven contests last year. 'That was like my first major injury, the first time I had to miss games and it was definitely tough,' Snead said. 'But they (Als medical staff) did a great job with rehab and treatment so coming back for the last six games (in '24) and this year, I haven't even noticed it.' Montreal (2-0) visits the Edmonton Elks (0-1) on Thursday night. Its start comes with the remaining three East Division teams all 0-2. 'Tyler has shown tremendous resiliency coming back from an unfortunate injury in his 2024 campaign,' said Kenny Kim of Summit Athletes, Snead's Florida-based representative. 'I fully expected him to tackle his rehab head-on and as a result he's off to a fast start this season. 'Tyler is a humble, hard-working and determined individual and it's my expectation he'll continue to be a dominant force in this league.' Montreal hasn't skipped a beat with Davis Alexander in his first full season as the starting quarterback. Alexander won all four of last year's starts and is 6-0 overall. 'He's just a winner,' Snead said. 'Every time he steps on to the field he gets into that different mindset and plays to win. 'If you see your quarterback is confident, making plays, getting fired up and showing everyone he can do it, it's like that snowball effect where everybody wants to play good ball and then feels like everybody is.' But a stout Montreal defence — anchored by veteran linebackers Tyrice Beverette and Darnell Sankey — has more than done its part, allowing just 27 offensive points while forcing seven turnovers. 'We've got the league's best defence and that makes us better going against the best every day and competing,' Snead said. 'They're going to get turnovers, they're going to rally to the ball and hit you. 'I feel like we see a lot of two-and-outs and so it's the offence right back up, which gives us more confidence.' Snead's first CFL campaign was a memorable one, capping it with a '23 Grey Cup victory. Last year, Montreal posted a CFL-best 12-5-1 record before losing a 30-28 East Division final decision to the Toronto Argonauts, who ultimately won the Grey Cup. Snead said that memory fuelled his and many of his teammates' off-season workouts. 'The goal is the same every year, win a Grey Cup,' he said. 'But it (loss) definitely left a bitter taste in our mouth. 'I know that was on the mind of many guys. We put in a lot of hard work in during the off-season and now we're just trying to show it all during the regular season.' Snead, 25, admits sometimes having difficulty believing he's playing football professionally. 'It feels weird calling it a job because I have so much fun doing it,' he said. 'This is what I've loved doing since I was five years old. 'I'm grateful I get to play a game for a living but I love going out and competing with my teammates and sharing a win or learning lessons from a loss. I know one day it's going to end and it won't be here forever so I just try to enjoy everything about it while I can.'
