The Professional Women’s Hockey League have re-branded following their inaugural 2023-24 season and has named the Toronto franchise, the Toronto Sceptres. The royalty-themed nickname takes into effect immediately as the league gears up for its second season.
The Sceptres released the following description of their new name:
The Sceptre has forever been a symbol of strength and power, found in courts and palaces, held by Queens and Kings in ceremony.
Today, it will be wielded on the ice by Toronto’s hockey royalty. The Sceptres embody Toronto’s regal history, commanding presence and rich heritage from Queens Quay to Queen Street.
Our measure of success? To hold the Sceptre aloft as an emblem of our reign.
We are the Toronto Sceptres. pic.twitter.com/Kytgvby8MX
— Toronto Sceptres (@PWHL_Toronto) September 9, 2024
PWHL Toronto finished their first season with a record of 13-7-4, good for top spot in the league throughout the 24-game regular season. They’d run into a very tough Minnesota squad, and despite a 2-0 series lead, were eliminated in five games by Minnesota in the Walter Cup semi-finals. Toronto was in tough after leading scorer Natalie Spooner suffered a knee injury.
Looking ahead to season two, the Sceptres have a new place to call home as they’ll share the Coca-Cola Coliseum with the American Hockey League’s Toronto Marlies. PWHL Toronto hosted teams at the Mattamy Athletic Centre and Scotiabank Arena throughout their inaugural season, in what turned out to be a very successful first season for the franchise as they sold out every home game.
“We look forward to creating an atmosphere that will be a unique and special sporting experience unlike anything else in Toronto,” general manager Gina Kingsbury said in a release. “Our incredible fans sold out this historic venue during our playoff games last season and now we can’t wait to see and hear their infectious excitement again when we hit the ice for the 2024-2025 season.” Coca-Cola Coliseum will also house Toronto’s WNBA franchise beginning in 2026.
Along with the Sceptres, the PWHL unveiled the names and logos for all six franchises including the Boston Fleet, Minnesota Frost, Victoire de Montreal, New York Sirens and Ottawa Charge.
PWHL Minnesota defeated PWHL Boston to become the first team to win the Walter Cup in May. After a 24-game opening season, all teams will play 30 games during the 2024-25 campaign.
