According to reports, Natalie Spooner is on track to return for the Toronto Sceptres' season opener on November 30, a goal she's set for herself.
According to reports, Natalie Spooner is on track to return for the Toronto Sceptres' season opener on November 30, a goal she's set for herself.
As first reported by The Canadian Press, reigning PWHL scoring champion and MVP Natalie Spooner is eying a return in time for the Toronto Sceptres' season opener on November 30.
Spooner recently returned to the ice following offseason surgery to repair a torn ACL in her left knee, an injury she suffered in the opening round of the PWHL playoffs after taking a hit from Minnesota's Grace Zumwinkle. Back on the ice, Spooner, who was named to the Toronto Sceptres' camp roster, says her new goal is to not miss a game to start the year.
"I would love to be back for the beginning of the season," Spooner told The Canadian Press. "It's circled in red pen because that's what I want to make happen. That's the goal right now. I'm skating already, and everything's going well, but I've got to pass some tests and all that stuff before I get cleared."
Spooner finished last season with 20 goals and 27 points in 24 games to lead all players. Prior to her injury, Spooner also won gold with Canada at the 2024 World Championships in Utica, New York. Her performance in the PWHL and on the international stage earned Spooner accolades as the IIHF Player of the Year.
The Toronto Sceptres and Spooner are set to be the first PWHL team to step onto home ice this season as they'll host the Boston Fleet November 30 at 2pm. The game is set to take place at their new home, Coca-Cola Coliseum.
Spooner is also slated to be on the ice with Toronto when training camps open November 12.
The Toronto Sceptres went heavy this offseason in bolstering their offense planning for a potential start to the year without their superstar forward. Those additions included drafting Julia Gosling, Izzy Daniel, Noemi Neubauerova, and Anneke Linser, signing free agents Daryl Watts and Emma Woods, and inviting other standouts including German veteran Laura Kluge to training camp.