Latest news with #ElaineChuli
Toronto Star
4 hours ago
- Sport
- 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.
Reuters
12 hours ago
- Sport
- Reuters
Sceptres sign G Elaine Chuli, F Claire Dalton to 1-year deals
June 17 - The Toronto Sceptres came to terms with goaltender Elaine Chuli and forward Claire Dalton on one-year contracts on Tuesday. Both players are signed through the 2025-26 PWHL season after spending last season with the Montreal Victoire. Chuli, 31, posted a 2.42 goals-against average and .910 save percentage in 11 games (10 starts) in 2024-25. "Elaine brings consistency to our team. 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," Sceptres general manager Gina Kingsbury said. "We believe these two athletes will excel in our market, and we are excited to have them in Sceptres jerseys." Chuli is no stranger to playing in Toronto, as the Ontario native spent three seasons with the Six in the Premier Hockey Federation and the Furies in the final season of the Canadian Women's Hockey League in 2018-19. "I couldn't be more excited to be coming home to Toronto and joining the Sceptres for next season," Chuli said. "It means a lot to me to be back close to home and have the chance to play in front of such a passionate fan base. 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." Dalton, a 25-year-old who hails from Toronto, totaled 18 points (eight goals, 10 assists) in 50 games over the last two seasons. "I am really excited for the opportunity to be a Toronto Sceptre! I'm looking forward to coming home and playing in front of friends and family," Dalton said. "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." --Field Level Media
