Nurse, Fast, Turnbull Land In Toronto Signing PWHL Deals

Sarah Nurse, Blayre Turnbull, and Renata Fast are the three inaugural signings for the PWHL's Toronto Franchise.

Toronto's PWHL franchise has signed their first three players, a trio of Canadian national team players - defender Renata Fast, and forwards Sarah Nurse and Blayre Turnbull.

“We are beyond excited and proud of the three foundation players we have signed,” said Gina Kingsbury, general manager of PWHL Toronto. “For us, it was all about them as a group, building a puzzle that we knew would work well together and give us the best foundation to our team’s success. When I think of the qualities of this group, I think of character, leadership, and talent. A combination we believe we can build upon in the draft and for years to come.”

Sarah Nurse, one of Team Canada's offensive stars, is thrilled to play in her hometown for new GM Gina Kingsbury.

“I am incredibly excited to begin this new chapter as one of the first-ever players signed to the PWHL and to bring professional women’s hockey to Toronto,” said Nurse in a PWHL press release. “Growing up so close to the city and getting to watch so many professional teams thrive in the market, I have always seen Toronto as the mecca of hockey and pictured myself representing the city on a larger stage. It is surreal to finally have that dream come to life. I know that Gina’s vision and experience, combined with the incredible skill Renata Fast and Blayre Turnbull bring to the table, we are already off to a great start. I look forward to building a culture of excellence as we show what the top talent in women’s hockey looks like. There is truly no place I would rather be!”

Last season in the PWHPA, Nurse recorded 14 points in 20 games with Team Adidas, and also contributed eight points in seven games for silver medal winning Canada at the World Championships. Nurse, 28, has two World Championship gold medals and won Olympic gold with Canada in 2022 scoring an incredible 18 points in seven games, earning tournament all-star honors. Prior to joining the PWHPA, Nurse played one season for the CWHL's Toronto Furies after playing her NCAA career with Wisconsin.

“We are excited to bring Sarah Nurse to Toronto as a foundation player,” said Kingsbury. “Sarah is a tremendous athlete who has proven herself to be one of the best athletes in the world. Her 2022 Olympic performance has demonstrated the impact she can have on a team. Sarah’s on-ice potential reach is unmatched, she brings offence to our lineup, and off the ice she is a wonderful person. She will have a great impact on the Toronto market.”

Fast, 28, was one of Canada's top defenders, earning Olympic and World Championship golds.

“It’s a true honour and a privilege to be a part of the PWHL’s foundation,” said Fast. “This historic moment is a testament to the dedication of those who paved the way before us. Growing up in Burlington, ON, I always dreamt of playing hockey professionally. Now, being part of the PWHL right here in the heart of Toronto, feels like a dream come true. I am looking forward to helping set a standard of excellence both on the ice and within our community to grow the game of hockey for everyone and continue Toronto’s legacy as one of the world’s preeminent hockey cities. I want to thank Mr. & Mrs. Walter, Billie Jean King & llana Kloss for believing in us and providing an opportunity to take our game to the next level.”

“We are thrilled with the signing of Renata Fast,” said Kingsbury. “Renata brings the whole package to our organization. She is arguably the best defenceman in the world, she is an incredibly dynamic athlete, and is one of the best teammates you can ask for. Renata is an incredible leader, she is selfless, highly competitive, and always has a team-first mentality. She will be a cornerstone of our team and organization for years to come. We are looking forward to Renata’s impact on our franchise and the Toronto community as a whole.”

Turnbull, 30, a Nova Scotia product also owns a plethora of gold representing Canada. Last season Turnbull finished sixth in PWHPA scoring with 20 points in 20 games.

“I am extremely honoured to have been selected as one of the first players to sign a professional contract in the PWHL,” said Turnbull. “To have the opportunity to be a part of a franchise in such a great sports city like Toronto is super exciting and I can’t wait to get started!”

“Blayre is one of the best two-way forwards in the women’s game,” said Kingsbury. “She brings offence while making it very difficult to play against her. Blayre is one of the fiercest competitors in the game and is a key piece to the puzzle we are trying to build in Toronto. When I think of Blayre I think of character, leadership, and grit. Three ingredients our team in Toronto will be built around. We have no doubt Blayre will have a tremendous impact on our team’s identity.”