Toronto Sceptres
Charter PWHL franchise based in Toronto, Ontario.
The Toronto Sceptres are a professional women’s ice hockey team based in Toronto and a charter member of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL). They play home games at Coca-Cola Coliseum and finished first in the league standings during the inaugural regular season.
The franchise was announced on August 29, 2023, as one of the PWHL’s first six teams, ensuring continued professional women’s hockey in Toronto after the Toronto Six and the Premier Hockey Federation folded that summer—the Six had been that league’s final champions. Gina Kingsbury, formerly vice president of hockey operations at Hockey Canada and general manager of the Canadian women’s national team, was named general manager on September 1. Troy Ryan, head coach of the Canadian women’s national team, became the team’s first head coach on September 15.
Toronto signed its first three players—Canadian national team members Sarah Nurse, Renata Fast, and Blayre Turnbull—to three-year deals on September 5, 2023. At the inaugural PWHL draft on September 18, the team selected 15 players, with veteran Canadian defender Jocelyne Larocque taken second overall. Turnbull was named captain before the season, with Fast and Larocque as assistant captains.
In November 2023, the team’s colours were announced as blue, black, and white, and the Mattamy Athletic Centre in the old Maple Leaf Gardens was named its home venue. On January 1, 2024, Toronto hosted the first PWHL game at Mattamy, losing 4–0 to PWHL New York. The teams met again on January 5, and Toronto earned its first win, 3–2; Natalie Spooner scored the team’s first goal in the second period. On February 16, Toronto played its first game at Scotiabank Arena against PWHL Montreal in a match called “The Battle on Bay Street,” drawing a league and women’s hockey attendance record of 19,285, surpassing the previous record of 18,013 set at the 2013 IIHF Women’s World Championship. On April 20, Montreal hosted Toronto at the Bell Centre, setting another attendance record of 21,105 in a game known as “The Duel at the Top” as the teams competed for first place.
Toronto became the first team to clinch a playoff spot and secured first overall on May 1. Spooner led the league in goals and points. On April 30, 2024, the team announced it would move playoff games to Coca-Cola Coliseum.
Quick Facts
- Team
- Toronto Sceptres
- City
- Toronto, Ontario
- League
- PWHL
- Founded
- 2023
- Arena
- Coca-Cola Coliseum
- Owner
- Mark Walter Group
- Gm
- Gina Kingsbury
- Coach
- Pascal Rhéaume
- Captain
- Blayre Turnbull
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Toronto Sceptres were founded as one of the PWHL's first six franchises, announced on August 29, 2023, ensuring the continuation of professional women's hockey in Toronto after the folding of the Toronto Six and the Premier Hockey Federation. Gina Kingsbury was named general manager on September 1, 2023, and Troy Ryan was announced as the first head coach on September 15. The team's first three players—Sarah Nurse, Renata Fast, and Blayre Turnbull—were signed on September 5, 2023. At the inaugural PWHL draft on September 18, Toronto selected Jocelyne Larocque second overall. Turnbull was named team captain, with Fast and Larocque as assistant captains. The team's colours were announced as blue, black, and white in November 2023, and the Mattamy Athletic Centre was initially its home. Toronto played the first PWHL game on January 1, 2024, losing 4–0 to New York, but secured its first win on January 5, 2024, with Natalie Spooner scoring the first goal in team history. The team set attendance records at Scotiabank Arena (19,285) and later at the Bell Centre (21,105). Toronto clinched first overall on May 1, 2024, but lost the first-round playoff series to Minnesota after winning the first two games. After the season, Spooner won the Billie Jean King MVP award, Kristen Campbell won top goaltender, and Troy Ryan was named coach of the year. On September 3, 2024, Coca-Cola Coliseum was announced as the primary venue for the 2024–25 season. Troy Ryan left in 2026 to join PWHL San Jose, and Pascal Rhéaume was named head coach on June 10, 2026. The team was officially named the Sceptres in September 2024, with a stylized 'TS' logo and yellow added to the colour scheme.
Reader's Guide
The Toronto Sceptres are notable as one of the six charter franchises of the Professional Women's Hockey League, formed after the folding of the Premier Hockey Federation and the Toronto Six. The team topped the standings in the league's inaugural regular season, becoming the first to clinch a playoff spot and first overall. Despite a strong start, they were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs after losing three straight games. The team set significant attendance records, including 19,285 at Scotiabank Arena and 21,105 at the Bell Centre, highlighting growing interest in women's hockey. Individual accolades from the inaugural season include Natalie Spooner winning the Billie Jean King MVP award and Forward of the Year, Kristen Campbell winning Goaltender of the Year, and Troy Ryan being named Coach of the Year. The team's identity evolved from the generic 'PWHL Toronto' to the branded 'Toronto Sceptres' in September 2024, with a logo and colour scheme that added yellow. The team's history reflects the continuity of professional women's hockey in Toronto and the league's early growth.
Did You Know?
- Toronto topped the standings in the PWHL's inaugural regular season.
- Natalie Spooner scored the first goal in team history on January 5, 2024.
- The team set a women's hockey attendance record of 21,105 at the Bell Centre on April 20, 2024.
- The team was originally known as PWHL Toronto before being named the Sceptres in September 2024.
More in Women's Ice Hockey 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced