Kirsten Simms Signs Three-Year Deal With Toronto Sceptres

The Toronto Sceptres have signed one of the biggest pieces of their 2026 draft class, agreeing to a three-year contract with forward Kirsten Simms through the 2028-29 PWHL season.

Simms, selected eighth overall by Toronto in June, is the first member of the Sceptres’ 2026 draft class to sign with the club.

“We’re really excited to have Kirsten commit to Toronto for the next three seasons,” Sceptres general manager Gina Kingsbury said. “She brings offensive skill and creativity to our lineup, and we believe there’s a lot of upside to her game.”

Simms arrives in Toronto after an exceptionally productive four-year career at Wisconsin, where she recorded 100 goals and 238 points in 152 games and helped the Badgers win three national championships.

She finished her senior season with 26 goals and 59 points in 31 games, earning All-WCHA Second Team recognition. Simms had previously been named a First Team All-American and All-WCHA First Team selection in consecutive seasons.

The 22-year-old Plymouth, Mich., native also brings significant international experience. She won Olympic gold with the United States in Milan and has earned both gold and silver at the IIHF Women’s World Championship.

Toronto used the eighth overall selection on Simms with the expectation that her offensive ability could translate into another scoring option for a team looking to add more skill to its forward group.

Her collegiate numbers make that upside easy to see. Simms averaged more than 1.5 points per game over her Wisconsin career and reached the 100-goal mark despite playing only four NCAA seasons.

“I couldn’t be more excited to join the Toronto Sceptres,” Simms said. “Toronto is the best hockey market in the world, and having the opportunity to play in front of such passionate fans is something really special.”

Simms added that she is looking forward to learning from Toronto’s veteran players while establishing herself at the professional level.

“I want to bring energy, compete every day, and be someone my teammates can count on,” she said.

The three-year contract also gives Toronto another young player under long-term control as the club continues shaping its roster for the coming season.

Simms becomes one of four Sceptres signed through 2028-29, joining defenders Renata Fast and Kali Flanagan and goaltender Raygan Kirk.

Toronto now has 16 players under contract among the 29 players invited to training camp.

The Sceptres open their 2026-27 regular season on the road against Ottawa on Dec. 6 before returning to Coca-Cola Coliseum for their home opener against expansion PWHL Hamilton on Dec. 8.