Toronto Sceptres captain Blayre Turnbull will miss the upcoming Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) season as she prepares to welcome her first child, due in December. Turnbull, a prominent Canadian forward, made the announcement on social media, sharing the joyful news with fans and teammates.
The 32-year-old from Stellarton, Nova Scotia, is married to Olympic bobsledder Ryan Sommer. Turnbull has been a cornerstone of the Toronto Sceptres since the PWHL's inception, serving as captain for three seasons. She has an impressive career record with 17 goals and 20 assists in 84 regular season games, adding four goals and an assist in nine playoff appearances for Toronto.
Turnbull's contributions extend beyond her club team. She has been a vital member of the Canadian women's national hockey team, helping them secure Olympic gold in 2022 and multiple world championship titles. Her dedication to the sport, even through injury, such as breaking her fibula while celebrating a world championship win, highlights her passion and commitment.
Despite being on an expiring contract and not being protected in the recent expansion draft, Toronto general manager Gina Kingsbury expressed confidence that Turnbull will remain with the Sceptres. Kingsbury stated that Turnbull will continue to be a leading presence off the ice and is determined to return to play after giving birth, with the Sceptres offering their full support.
