Reigning PWHL MVP and scoring champion Natalie Spooner will miss the start of the regular season for the Toronto Sceptres, general manager Gina Kingsbury announced Tuesday on the first day of training camp.
The 33-year-old Spooner had knee surgery on her left anterior cruciate ligament after she was checked into the boards by Minnesota’s Grace Zumwinkle in Game 3 of their best-of-five semifinal series on May 13.
She had a goal and an assist in three playoff games but did not finish the series. Toronto was up 2-1 in the semifinal at that time and eventually fell 3-2 in the series.
Spooner led the PWHL with 27 points in 24 games. Her 20 goals, including five game-winners, were nine more than the closest skater.
Kingsbury said there is no timeline, as the team wants the Toronto native at 100 per cent but added “she is doing really well” in her recovery.
The Sceptres open the PWHL season on Nov. 30 when they host the Boston Fleet.
PWHL home openers:
Toronto Sceptres – Nov. 30, 2024, 2:00 p.m. ET vs. Boston Fleet at Coca-Cola Coliseum.
Montréal Victoire – Nov. 30, 2024, 5:00 p.m. ET vs. Ottawa Charge at Place Bell.
Minnesota Frost – Dec. 1, 2024, 6:00 p.m. ET vs. New York Sirens at Xcel Energy Center.
Ottawa Charge – Dec. 3, 2024, 7:00 p.m. ET vs. Toronto Sceptres at TD Place.
Boston Fleet – Dec. 4, 2024, 7:00 p.m. ET vs. Minnesota Frost at the Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell.
New York Sirens – Dec. 18, 2024, 7:00 p.m. ET vs. Toronto Sceptres at Prudential Center.
