The Toronto Sceptres are receiving significant reinforcement as star forward Natalie Spooner makes her much-anticipated return. Following off-season knee surgery, the reigning Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) MVP has been activated from long-term injured reserve, ready to make her season debut against the defending champion Minnesota Frost on Tuesday at Coca-Cola Coliseum.
Spooner, beloved by fans and teammates alike, sustained her knee injury during the playoffs last May, colliding with the boards during Game 3 against Minnesota. This injury hampered her ability to contribute to her team for several months, marking the first absence of such duration from the ice for the 34-year-old star. Nevertheless, the determination and hard work she put forth for her recovery have not gone unnoticed. "I'm excited to be back with my teammates and looking forward to competing next to them again," Spooner shared. "It was obviously a long road to get to this point and doesn’t happen without a lot of amazing people in my corner. I’m very grateful for my surgical and medical team who have gotten me back to full health."
Spooner was named the league's most valuable player last season after leading all players with 20 goals and 27 points. Her accolades didn't stop there; she also won the Billie Jean King MVP award and was named IIHF's female player of the year. These accomplishments solidify her status as one of the league’s top talents. Remarkably, even with this significant layoff, she remains tied with Marie-Philip Poulin for the all-time PWHL goal-scoring lead.
Although Spooner's return brings hope and excitement, the Sceptres suffer from another setback, losing key forward Sarah Nurse indefinitely due to injury—an unfortunate twist of fate for the team. Nurse was recently placed on long-term injured reserve after sustaining a lower-body injury during the Canada-U.S. Rivalry Series, colliding on the ice with fellow Sceptres teammate Jesse Compher, who was playing for Team USA at the time. Nurse, who had amassed 12 points over 15 games this season, is now out of the lineup, compelling the Sceptres to adapt quickly.
To facilitate Spooner's return, the Sceptres have made roster adjustments, releasing rookie defender Lauren Bernard from her player agreement and moving her to the reserve list, as well as letting go of forward Sam Cogan from the reserve player pool. General Manager Gina Kingsbury indicated Spooner’s return is much needed: "We've been patiently waiting for the return of Natalie Spooner. We are tremendously proud of the work she has invested in getting herself to this point. This has been a long process, and she has shown throughout just how elite of an athlete she is."
The Sceptres’ current standings place them fourth within the tightly contested six-team league, having returned to some form with a pivotal win over Ottawa just before the international break. Following the victory, Toronto moved from the bottom of the standings to two points away from third place, showing signs of upward momentum even amid challenges. The team's performance has been commendable but inconsistent, calling for increased contributions from remaining players to fill the void left by Nurse’s absence. Spooner’s return presents not only tactical benefits, but also emotional boosts for her teammates and the fans.
To add to their depth, the Sceptres have also secured the services of German forward Laura Kluge, who joins the team after helping her country qualify for the upcoming 2026 Olympics. Kluge impressed during her time at the Sceptres' training camp and is expected to provide valuable support both on and off the ice.
Looking forward, the Sceptres aim to channel the energy of Spooner's return against the Frost, who defeated them during the playoffs last season. The stakes could not be higher, as both teams prepare for what promises to be an entertaining matchup.
With Spooner back and the team's resolve put to the test, the Sceptres are poised to confront their challenges head-on. Hockey fans eagerly await this chapter of the season—one filled with hope and anticipation as they cheer for their favorite players, armed with fresh updates and exciting plays on the ice.