The Toronto Sceptres will be without their MVP to start the year.
Spooner was hoping to return by the team’s season opener on Nov. 30.
“I would love to be back for the beginning of the season,” Spooner said. “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.”
The 33-year-old suffered a torn ACL in the first round of the playoffs last season against Minnesota. She immediately underwent surgery and has been rehabbing the injury since.
Spooner won the inaugural PWHL MVP award and was named the IIHF’s female player of the year in 2024 after leading the league with 27 points (20 goals, seven assists) in 24 regular-season games. She added a goal and an assist in three playoff games before going out with the injury.
The Scarborough, Ont., native has been skating since September as she continues her rehab process.
“I started skating at the beginning of September, but non-structured skating, like family skating around in a circle. A month ago, I started power skating with a coach,” Spooner told the Canadian Press.
“It feels pretty good. If I’m skating full speed, it looks really nice and good. It’s the quick stops and starts I’ve got to get a little bit more power back into.”
PWHL Toronto, now the Sceptres, finished first in the league last season with a 13-4-0-7 record and 47 points. They lost in the first round of the playoffs to the eventual champions PWHL Minnesota in five games.
The Sceptres open the 2024-25 season hosting the Boston Fleet.
— With files from the Canadian Press
