With Natalie Spooner and Megan Carter on long term injured reserve lists, the Toronto Sceptres will already be looking for players to step up and fill roles in camp.
As players take to the ice in camp this week, all PWHL teams are gearing up for some intriguing roster battles. The Toronto Sceptres, boasting strong depth at forward, have more capable players in camp than available spots. One key forward position, however, remains vacant due to the absence of the league’s leading scorer, Natalie Spooner.
This role will need to be filled collectively, with various players contributing goals and some needing to elevate their offensive game after last season’s underwhelming numbers.
Key free agent signing Daryl Watts is expected to shoulder some of the scoring responsibilities and help fill the void left by Spooner.
“We’ll miss Spooner tremendously and we can’t wait for her return, but I’m committed to doing whatever I can to help the team score,” Watts shared.
Does she feel the weight of filling that scoring role?
“I don’t view it as pressure. From the moment I stepped on the ice, my job has always been to score goals—it’s just in my nature. So, having Gina and Troy expect that from me is similar to what I’ve experienced with every team I’ve played for.”
Captain Blayre Turnbull, who played alongside Watts in the recent Rivalry Series, praised her skill and eagerness to learn. “She brings a lot of talent and is always ready to improve her game. That desire to learn is a significant asset for someone who already has so much ability.”
Turnbull also expressed her own ambitions for increasing her offensive contributions this season. “I know I contribute strongly in areas that don’t always reflect on the scoresheet, but if I can enhance my performance in that regard, it will have a major positive impact on our team overall.”
“By focusing on improving specific offensive areas without altering the core of my game, I anticipate making a bigger impact on the scoresheet,” Turnbull stated.
“I’ve worked on my shot, but I’ve also emphasized keeping my head up, scanning the ice more, and recognizing opportunities, which I believe will give me more time to make better plays.”
Turnbull also noted that first-round pick Julia Gosling will add additional offensive firepower to the lineup.
“I think she has one of the best shots in the game. She’ll definitely help us, not just with her shooting but also with her size, which is crucial for the physicality of the league. She’s a strong power forward, similar in build to Natalie Spooner—big, strong, and a good skater. Her style of play will translate well to the professional level.”
Additionally, it was announced that second-round draft pick defender Megan Carter has been placed on long-term injured reserve, leaving a gap in the blue line. Carter was expected to handle significant minutes, likely in a second pairing, which now shifts some of that responsibility to Kali Flanagan and Allie Munroe. Newcomers Lauren Bernard and Rylind MacKinnon are also set to gain more opportunities and are likely to receive contracts.
Flanagan sees this as a chance to showcase her skills and expand her role.
“I believe I grew a lot as a player last year, and I’m really excited to bring that to the forefront this season,” she said.
“I feel like I’m in my prime and very confident. We had a strong off-season, and I’m eager to show everyone what I can do. I want to push the boundaries of my offensive capabilities this year, as I was still figuring things out last season. Now I have a solid foundation, and I feel really confident.”
There will be opportunities for players to step up on defense until Carter returns from her undisclosed lower-body injury. Meanwhile, Toronto seems to have enough depth in their forward lineup to remain competitive during Spooner’s absence.
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