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New York Times
5 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Sarah Nurse to sign with PWHL's Vancouver expansion franchise: source
Forward Sarah Nurse is expected to sign with PWHL Vancouver, a source briefed on the situation told The Athletic. The league's expansion rules allow players in Nurse's position — as well as unrestricted free agents — to negotiate with either of the new franchises in Seattle and Vancouver during a five-day signing window that opened on Wednesday morning. The Toronto Sceptres, where Nurse spent her first two seasons in the PWHL, protected No. 1 defender Renata Fast, captain Blayre Turnbull and forward Daryl Watts, leaving Nurse exposed to the expansion draft and signing window. This story will be updated.
Globe and Mail
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Globe and Mail
‘Winning is not easy': Sceptres reflect on season after early PWHL post-season exit
Toronto Sceptres head coach Troy Ryan says his team has learned just how tough it is to win. The Sceptres fell 4-3 in overtime on Wednesday to lose their best-of-five semi-final against the defending Walter Cup champion Minnesota Frost in four games. It's the second consecutive year Toronto lost to Minnesota in the semi-finals despite being the higher seed entering the playoffs. 'Winning is not easy,' Ryan said at the team's end-of-season news conference on Friday. 'If I've learned anything through some of my time at the national team level, sometimes it's taken for granted. It's never easy. 'And I think this group, probably through some hard lessons, are learning that it's not easy to win, and you've got to invest your time in well before it's ever a playoff time to be, you know, putting yourself in a situation where you can have success.' Toronto finished second in the PWHL standings behind Montreal and clinched a playoff berth a week before its regular-season finale. 'I'm going to be unhappy every time [a loss] happens,' Ryan said. 'You can be unhappy where you are at. It doesn't mean you're not happy with where you're going, right? And I think this group … [has] a pretty good sense of … where we can improve.' Captain Blayre Turnbull said the main takeaway will be the importance of being consistent each day of the season. 'There were certain points throughout the year where I felt like, sometimes our habits weren't where they needed to be or where they should be based on what our standards and our expectations are,' she said. 'Looking ahead into next season I think we have to make sure that those habits and details are being executed the way we want them to be every day so that by the end of the season and come playoff time, it's just natural and we can peak for longer than just a few games in the playoffs. 'It would be great for us to kind of have our on-ice identity completely solidified long before we enter playoffs so that we just hit the ground running and everything feels very natural.' The team entered the season with high expectations after an inaugural season that saw Toronto finish first in the league standings before its postseason loss to Minnesota. However, the Sceptres faced their share of injury troubles throughout the campaign. Last season's MVP Natalie Spooner was out of the lineup until Feb. 11 after knee surgery, while top rookie defender Megan Carter was lost before season's start until Jan. 25, and star forward Sarah Nurse missed almost two months before returning late March. Toronto also dealt star defender Jocelyne Larocque to Ottawa in December. 'We lost some big personalities in our locker room,' star defender Renata Fast said. 'We can't replace what someone like Joce [Larocque] brings on the ice and off the ice. But I really do think our group stepped up big. It didn't take us that long. 'We brought in two players that also have big leadership skills, and they came in and just like, it was seamless really. So once we started getting into games, it didn't take long.' With two new expansion teams set to enter the fold, in Vancouver and Seattle, Toronto anticipates losing some 'competitive' players to the upcoming expansion draft. 'I think we're comfortable with our entire team,' general manager Gina Kingsbury said. 'I think, we'll add pieces here in the draft. We'll obviously be active in the free agency period as well and try to continue to build on what we have, but we love the foundation that we've started here as a group with our team. 'Again, we started with this vision and we've built this team here over the last two years. I think we've built it in a way where we feel that with expansion we've created enough depth that now we can try to add pieces and be on the right track.'
National Post
16-05-2025
- Sport
- National Post
Sceptres not happy with early exit but they can at least live with this one
The finish point didn't change much at all for the Toronto Sceptres in the second year of the PWHL, but the feeling about that finish is vastly different. Article content Article content A year ago at this time, members of Toronto's PWHL entry were still visibly angry at a series days after it ended in which they won the first two games and then lost three in a row to earn a spectator's seat in the first PWHL Walter Cup Final. Article content They will be watching again as the same team that ended their season a year ago, the Minnesota Frost. attempts to win a second consecutive Walter Cup championship against a still to be determined opponent. Article content The disappointment at not being there remains the same. What's different is the Sceptres go into this off-season knowing they were playing at or very near their best when they went down to the Frost this year. Article content Captain Blayre Turnbull reiterated a previously stated opinion that the Sceptres' Game 1 win in the series, the lone one they would enjoy, was probably the most complete game they played all season. Article content Game 2 wasn't far behind if you eliminate the final five minutes of the game, in which the Frost got a pair of goals to steal a win on visiting ice. Article content Neither goal — the game-winner by Sophie Jaques nor the insurance marker from Melissa Channel-Watkins — were what anyone would consider Grade A chances but they found their way into the back of the net and suddenly a series the Sceptres thought they were in control of was heading across the border to Minnesota all tied up. Article content The first eight minutes of Game 3 sealed Toronto's fate, as the Frost scored three unanswered goals before the Sceptres could find their game. Article content Again, they did find it and managed five goals of their own, but when the hosts had tallied seven, it just wasn't enough. Article content Article content Game 4 was carried for the most part by Toronto, but went Minnesota's way when Taylor Heise settled matters 16 minutes into overtime with a goal off a nice screen from Brooke McQuigge. Article content No one in the Sceptres organization was happy with the result then or now. However, at the very least they can look back on it knowing they played well enough to win, but a few goaltending breakdowns and a few missed opportunities were enough to turn in the tide in Minnesota's favour. Article content 'I feel like reflecting on the year, all season it seemed like we were trying to be the best team that we could be and then it felt like things started clicking for us in the playoffs,' Turnbull said. 'Our playoff games were the best games we played all season so it's a disappointing feeling when you can say that and still not get the results you want, but it's also a good feeling knowing that we were happy with our playoff performance. We just came up short.'
Toronto Sun
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
Sceptres not happy with early exit but they can at least live with this one
Get the latest from Mike Ganter straight to your inbox Blayre Turnbull of the Toronto Sceptres is denied on a scoring opportunity by Minnesota Frost goaltender Nicole Hensley during Game 4 of a PWHL semifinal series on May 14, 2025 at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn. Photo by PWHL / PWHL The finish point didn't change much at all for the Toronto Sceptres in the second year of the PWHL, but the feeling about that finish is vastly different. 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 A year ago at this time, members of Toronto's PWHL entry were still visibly angry at a series days after it ended in which they won the first two games and then lost three in a row to earn a spectator's seat in the first PWHL Walter Cup Final. They will be watching again as the same team that ended their season a year ago, the Minnesota Frost. attempts to win a second consecutive Walter Cup championship against a still to be determined opponent. The disappointment at not being there remains the same. What's different is the Sceptres go into this off-season knowing they were playing at or very near their best when they went down to the Frost this year. Captain Blayre Turnbull reiterated a previously stated opinion that the Sceptres' Game 1 win in the series, the lone one they would enjoy, was probably the most complete game they played all season. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Game 2 wasn't far behind if you eliminate the final five minutes of the game, in which the Frost got a pair of goals to steal a win on visiting ice. Neither goal — the game-winner by Sophie Jaques nor the insurance marker from Melissa Channel-Watkins — were what anyone would consider Grade A chances but they found their way into the back of the net and suddenly a series the Sceptres thought they were in control of was heading across the border to Minnesota all tied up. The first eight minutes of Game 3 sealed Toronto's fate, as the Frost scored three unanswered goals before the Sceptres could find their game. Again, they did find it and managed five goals of their own, but when the hosts had tallied seven, it just wasn't enough. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Game 4 was carried for the most part by Toronto, but went Minnesota's way when Taylor Heise settled matters 16 minutes into overtime with a goal off a nice screen from Brooke McQuigge. No one in the Sceptres organization was happy with the result then or now. However, at the very least they can look back on it knowing they played well enough to win, but a few goaltending breakdowns and a few missed opportunities were enough to turn in the tide in Minnesota's favour. 'I feel like reflecting on the year, all season it seemed like we were trying to be the best team that we could be and then it felt like things started clicking for us in the playoffs,' Turnbull said. 'Our playoff games were the best games we played all season so it's a disappointing feeling when you can say that and still not get the results you want, but it's also a good feeling knowing that we were happy with our playoff performance. We just came up short.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Given the opportunity to run it back one more time with the same group, chances are pretty good Toronto management would take their chances, but they're not going to get that opportunity. The PWHL expansion into Vancouver and Seattle for next season necessitates an expansion draft to start stocking those two organizations with players, and the league has been clear from the first mention of pending expansion that those markets will be set up to compete right away. Sceptres GM Gina Kingsbury has revealed that front offices of the six PWHL teams have recently been apprised of a rough look at what that will mean for the existing clubs. While some of the rules have yet to be worked out, she's expecting every existing team will lose at least some quality players. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'The GMs have been briefed on the direction the league is likely going to take,' Kingsbury said. 'I think there's still fine-tuning and tweaking around some of the rules, but we've been briefed and brought up to speed about what it's going to look like moving forward. 'The priority of the league is to have parity, so I expect Vancouver and Seattle to be very competitive next season right off the bat, so in order for that to happen all of us (the existing original six teams) are going to have to lose some pretty competitive players to make sure we are still fighting one-goal games and still battling until the last game of the season to see who makes playoffs.' It's not an ideal situation for a team such as Toronto, which is hoping to use the lessons learned from two short playoff experiences to take a run at a longer one in Season 3, but it is part of growing the women's game, which is what this league was set up to do in the first place. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'Two years ago, we didn't have a league,' Kingsbury said. 'We didn't have this platform for these players to play in …. As much as (the expansion process) is challenging and stressful and we're all losing sleep over it, it's pretty exciting to be a part of a league that is growing and providing the opportunities that we were dreaming about not too long ago.' The expansion draft is tentatively set for the middle of June with the third annual PWHL draft to follow in Ottawa on June 24. mganter@ Read More Columnists Toronto & GTA Celebrity Toronto Maple Leafs Columnists
Toronto Sun
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
With expansion draft looming, it really is the end of a Sceptres era
Loss to Minnesota brings season to another premature end Get the latest from Mike Ganter straight to your inbox Toronto Sceptres forward Blayre Turnbull (40) makes a shot attempt on Minnesota Frost goaltender Nicole Hensley (29) in overtime in St. Paul, Minn., on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (Renée Jones Schneider/Star Tribune via AP) For the second year in a row, the Toronto Sceptres season came to a premature end at the hands of the Minnesota Frost. 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 defending Walter Cup champs put themselves in position to win a second title with a determined offensive push and a never-say-die attitude that has served them well throughout two PWHL seasons. Taylor Heise, who will go down in league history as the first ever pick in a PWHL draft, ended this one 16 minutes into overtime on a well-placed shot from the top of the circle with the big body of Brooke McQuigge and Toronto defender Kali Flanagan ensuring goalkeeper Carly (CJ) Jackson never saw the shot until it was already by them. It was a heartbreaking loss for a team that ran into a goaltending problem at the worst possible time of the year that put them in a hole out of which they did not escape. The Sceptres had a 1-0 lead in this series and looked poised to make that 2-0 before a pair of harmless-looking shots found their way past Toronto starting goaltender Kristen (Soupy) Campbell, letting Minnesota back into the series. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Once back, the Frost did not falter steam-rolling the Sceptres in Game 3 in a 7-5 derby that set a record for goals scored in a PWHL game. A 3-0 deficit just under eight minutes into that one, this time an overall team defensive letdown as opposed to strictly soft goals, was the culprit. Again the Sceptres regrouped getting to within a goal on a few occasions only to see the Frost regain control of the game each time Toronto got close. And while Game 4 was the ultimate eliminator for the Sceptres, it was a game of few regrets for the losing side, short of the final result. Toronto Sceptres forward Sarah Nurse (right) falls to the ice after a faceoff against Minnesota Frost forward Dominique Petrie (left) during the second period of Game 4 of a PWHL semifinal series at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn., on May 14, 2025. Photo by Renée Jones Schneider / The Associated Press 'I think tonight's game, the feeling that I have as a coach, I'm incredibly proud of the effort, the attitude, the playing within our team structure, the battle level and the compete level our team showed throughout that game,' head coach Troy Ryan said. 'I think the way Game 2 and Game 3 ended, our team could have taken an easier route in this one but I thought they showed a ton of character in battling this one right to the end.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Perhaps the saddest part about coming up short this year is it probably means the core of this team as constructed coming into the inaugural season and maintained into Year 2 will never get the chance to see what they could do in a Final. Expansion is already here and that means two new teams in the PWHL in Vancouver and Seattle next year and with it will come at least some dismantling of the core of the club GM Gina Kingsbury and Ryan put together to bring Toronto championships. The league has made its intent clear from the beginning of the expansion process. The goal is to make the incoming teams competitive to start and that means all existing teams will have some of their key roster components stripped away. We don't how deep the cuts will go just yet, but there is talk that even the foundational players, the three original picks the league's six original clubs made in advance of the first draft, could be exposed in the draft. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Executive vice president of hockey operations Jayna Hefford has yet to unveil the league expansion draft plans and likely won't until a second Walter Cup champion is decided, but stocking two incoming teams to be immediately competitive can only mean all six existing clubs are going to get picked over. The Sceptres will look back on this second season with pride eventually, but in the immediate aftermath of Wednesday's 4-3 OT loss, there was only disappointment. They will look back on the overtime chances they had to extend this series to a fifth game back at Coca Cola Coliseum – the breakaway from Hayley Scamurra early in the extra frame of Game 4 where she had a chance to get the puck over a fallen Nicole Hensley but couldn't get her stick under the puck, or chances by both Blayre Turnbull and Renata Fast on either side of the Minnesota net again with Hensley again in a vulnerable position and failing to get their respective sticks on bouncing pucks that seemed to have eyes for the back of the net. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. It truly is a game of inches and it's moments like those that will stay with the Sceptres through a summer of what if. We have no doubt this organization will be back a year from now with a team capable of breaking through with that ultimate goal of a Walter Cup championship season regardless of what goes on at the expansion draft. Kingsbury and Ryan are a formidable duo with the knowledge and experience to make that happen. There will be a healthy return of some familiar faces but the growth of the league around them will ensure that first group, the group that got this thing started and was so ready to win, won't ever get that chance again. And for those that have been there since the beginning, that is the saddest part of all about Wednesday's loss. mganter@ Toronto Maple Leafs Relationships Sunshine Girls Sunshine Girls Olympics
