TORONTO – The Toronto Sceptres announced today that 2024 PWHL MVP Natalie Spooner has been activated from long-term injured reserve (LTIR). Spooner will make her return to game action tonight against the Minnesota Frost at Coca-Cola Coliseum.
“I’m excited to be back with my teammates and looking forward to competing next to them again. It was obviously a long road to get to this point and doesn’t happen without a lot of amazing people in my corner,” shared Spooner. “I’m very grateful for my surgical and medical team that have gotten me back to full health. Thank you to the fans and hockey community for all the well wishes and patience along the way. I can’t wait to play in front of the Toronto fans again and rock our new jerseys!”
Spooner was placed on LTIR on May 15, 2024, after sustaining a knee injury during the third period of Game 3 in Toronto’s semifinal playoff series against Minnesota. In the PWHL’s inaugural season, the 34-year-old from Scarborough, ON, led all players in goals (20) and points (27). She was selected as a First-Team All-Star, Forward of the Year, and received the Billie Jean King MVP Award. Spooner’s outstanding performances in the PWHL and on the international stage with Team Canada earned her the IIHF Female Player of the Year honor.
“We’ve been patiently waiting for the return of Natalie Spooner. We are tremendously proud of the work she has invested in getting herself to this point,” explained General Manager Gina Kingsbury. “This has been a long journey, and she has shown throughout this process just how elite of an athlete she is. We are excited to see number 24 back in blue!”
With Spooner’s return to the lineup, the Sceptres have made two corresponding roster moves. Defender Lauren Bernard has been released from her Standard Player Agreement (SPA) and has signed a Reserve Player contract, while forward Sam Cogan has been released from the team’s Reserve Player list.
