TORONTO, ON (September 6, 2023) – The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) today announced the first three players to sign free agent contracts with the league’s Toronto franchise are defender Renata Fast, and forwards Sarah Nurse and Blayre Turnbull. The trio of Canadian Olympians have all agreed to terms on three-year deals for the 2023-24, 2024-25, and 2025-26 PWHL seasons. Salary terms will not be disclosed, as per the PWHL Players’ Association.
“We are beyond excited and proud of the three foundation players we have signed,” said Gina Kingsbury, General Manager of PWHL Toronto.
“For us, it was all about them as a group, building a puzzle that we knew would work well together and give us the best foundation to our team’s success. When I think of the qualities of this group, I think of character, leadership, and talent. A combination we believe we can build upon in the draft and for years to come.”
Gina Kingsbury GM PWHL Toronto
Renata Fast
Joins PWHL Toronto as a proven star to anchor its defensive core.
Born and raised in nearby Burlington, ON, the 28-year-old has earned a wide variety of success throughout her career at all levels.
Fast debuted with Team Canada as part of the 2014 U22 team and developed into a two-time Olympic medalist (1 Gold, 1 Silver) and five-time IIHF Women’s World Championship medalist (2 Gold, 2 Silver, 1 Bronze).
She played her NCAA hockey at Clarkson University and helped the Golden Knights win a National Championship in her sophomore year.
Upon graduating in 2016, Fast was selected second overall by the CWHL’s Toronto Furies where she turned pro and earned a Rookie of the Year nomination.
She played in the PWHPA from 2019-21 and, after centralizing with Team Canada for the 2022 Olympics, returned in 2022-23.
“It’s a true honour and a privilege to be a part of the PWHL’s foundation,” said Fast. “This historic moment is a testament to the dedication of those who paved the way before us. Growing up in Burlington, ON, I always dreamt of playing hockey professionally. Now, being part of the PWHL right here in the heart of Toronto, feels like a dream come true. I am looking forward to helping set a standard of excellence both on the ice and within our community to grow the game of hockey for everyone and continue Toronto’s legacy as one of the world’s preeminent hockey cities. I want to thank Mr. & Mrs. Walter, Billie Jean King & llana Kloss for believing in us and providing an opportunity to take our game to the next level.”
Renata Fast
“We are thrilled with the signing of Renata Fast,” said Kingsbury.
“Renata brings the whole package to our organization. She is arguably the best defenceman in the world, she is an incredibly dynamic athlete, and is one of the best teammates you can ask for. Renata is an incredible leader, she is selfless, highly competitive, and always has a team-first mentality. She will be a cornerstone of our team and organization for years to come. We are looking forward to Renata’s impact on our franchise and the Toronto community as a whole.”
SarahNurse
One of the most familiar faces in women’s hockey with a prolific list of accomplishments that includes breaking the single-tournament scoring record with an 18-point performance at the 2022 Olympics and gracing the cover of EA Sports NHL 23.
The 28-year-old from Hamilton, ON, signs with her nearly-hometown team as a two-time Olympic medalist (1 Gold, 1 Silver) and a four-time IIHF World Championship medalist (2 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze).
She also won U18 gold before enrolling at the University of Wisconsin where she played four NCAA seasons as a Badger. Nurse went on to be selected second overall in the 2018 CWHL Draft by the Toronto Furies, and later played in the PWHPA from 2019-21 and 2022-23 and was officially named a Board member in 2020.
“I am incredibly excited to begin this new chapter as one of the first-ever players signed to the PWHL and to bring professional women’s hockey to Toronto,” said Nurse.
“Growing up so close to the city and getting to watch so many professional teams thrive in the market, I have always seen Toronto as the mecca of hockey and pictured myself representing the city on a larger stage. It is surreal to finally have that dream come to life.
I know that Gina’s vision and experience, combined with the incredible skill Renata Fast and Blayre Turnbull bring to the table, we are already off to a great start. I look forward to building a culture of excellence as we show what the top talent in women’s hockey looks like. There is truly no place I would rather be!”
Sarah Nurse
“We are excited to bring Sarah Nurse to Toronto as a foundation player,” said Kingsbury.
“Sarah is a tremendous athlete who has proven herself to be one of the best athletes in the world. Her 2022 Olympic performance has demonstrated the impact she can have on a team. Sarah’s on-ice potential reach is unmatched, she brings offence to our lineup, and off the ice she is a wonderful person. She will have a great impact on the Toronto market.”
Blayre Turnbull
Makes her way to Toronto hailing from Stellarton, NS, with a renowned two-way game that will make an immediate impact.
The 30-year-old first represented Team Canada in 2010 and has become a two-time Olympic medalist (1 Gold, 1 Silver), and six-time World Championship medalist (2 Gold, 3 Silver, 1 Bronze) to go along with other international medals.
She played her NCAA hockey for the Wisconsin Badgers where she served as captain her senior season.
In 2015, Turnbull was drafted by the CWHL’s Calgary Inferno and won the Clarkson Cup twice in four seasons.
Following her time in the CWHL, Turnbull played in the PWHPA from 2019-21 and during the 2022-23 campaign where she finished top-six in overall scoring.
“I am extremely honoured to have been selected as one of the first players to sign a professional contract in the PWHL,” said Turnbull.
“To have the opportunity to be a part of a franchise in such a great sports city like Toronto is super exciting and I can’t wait to get started!”
Blayre Turnbull
“Blayre is one of the best two-way forwards in the women’s game,” said Kingsbury.
“She brings offence while making it very difficult to play against her. Blayre is one of the fiercest competitors in the game and is a key piece to the puzzle we are trying to build in Toronto. When I think of Blayre I think of character, leadership, and grit. Three ingredients our team in Toronto will be built around. We have no doubt Blayre will have a tremendous impact on our team’s identity.”
TORONTO, ON (September 5, 2023) – The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) today announced the first three players to sign free agent contracts with the league’s Ottawa franchise are forwards Emily Clark, Brianne Jenner, and goaltender Emerance Maschmeyer.
The trio of Canadian Olympians have all agreed to terms on three-year deals for the 2023-24, 2024-25, and 2025-26 PWHL seasons. Salary terms will not be disclosed, as per the PWHL Players’ Association.
“We are thrilled with the three players we have signed as the inaugural players for the Ottawa franchise,” said Mike Hirshfeld, General Manager of PWHL Ottawa.
“We truly believe that we have signed three incredible hockey players. As important to us, we are focused on making Ottawa a best-in-class organization in the PWHL, a place where players want to come and play. Building a culture is important to us and we believe these three players are incredibly well-respected and will help us to lay the foundation of the type of organization we aspire to be.”
Mike Hirshfeld, GM of PWHL Ottawa
Emily Clark
Has been an important fixture for Hockey Canada since 2011, when she made her U18 debut. Since then, the PWHL Ottawa signee’s impressive international résumé includes two Olympic medals (Gold, Silver), seven IIHF Women’s World Championship medals (2 Gold, 4 Silver, 1 Bronze), two 4 Nations Cup medals (1 Gold, 1 Silver), and a pair of U18 gold medals.
Clark played NCAA hockey for the University of Wisconsin from 2014-19—with a one-year break to play in the 2018 Olympic Winter Games— and helped the Badgers make it to the Frozen Four in all four seasons capped by a National Championship as a senior.
Born in Saskatoon, SK, the 27-year-old played in the PWHPA from 2019-21 and during the 2022-23 season where she finished second in scoring with 23 points in 20 games.
“I couldn’t be happier to be a part of the PWHL Ottawa franchise and I am looking forward to building on the strong women’s hockey history in the nation’s capital,” said Clark. “Having played there before, it was evident that the fans are passionate and that this is a hockey city. This is a dream come true and I cannot wait to get things started in Ottawa!”
Emily Clark
“We are absolutely delighted to have Emily join Ottawa as one of our inaugural franchise players,” said Hirshfeld.
“We love her complete 200-foot hockey game and strongly believe she is only getting better as a player and is heading into the prime years of her career. As important to us, in performing our due diligence, everyone we talked to raved about her as a teammate and a leader and we believe she will be an integral part of the culture we are trying to build in our locker room.”
Brianne Jenner
Joins Ottawa with an extensive list of accomplishments in international, NCAA, and professional hockey.
The 32-year-old from Oakville, ON debuted with Team Canada in 2008 as part of the U18 team and has amassed more than a dozen international competition medals, including three Olympic medals (2 Gold, 1 Silver) and nine World Championship medals (3 Gold, 5 Silver, 1 Bronze), among others.
Jenner was named MVP at the 2022 Olympics where she tied the Olympic record for goals scored in a single tournament (9) en route to winning gold.
Her collegiate career began in 2013 at Cornell University where she set the program’s all-time scoring record and became a two-time top-10 finalist for the Patty Kazmaier Award.
Upon graduation, she played professionally in the CWHL and captured the Clarkson Cup title in 2016 and 2019, and later, with the PWHPA, where she has served as a board member.
“This is a dream come true,” said Jenner.
“I’m thrilled and honoured with the opportunity to help build a franchise in Ottawa and help establish a culture and atmosphere here that will be a foundation for years to come. I couldn’t be more excited to get to Ottawa and become a part of the community. I would like to thank my family for their support through this process and throughout my career. This is truly a dream come true for all of us. I am grateful for this opportunity from the Ottawa organization, and I cannot wait to get started in November.”
Brianne Jenner
“It is an honour to welcome one of this generation’s greatest players to Ottawa and we are thrilled that she will be joining us as an inaugural member of our franchise,” said Hirshfeld.
“Her accomplishments to date are incredibly impressive, and we are excited to watch her lead our team over the next few seasons. We strongly believe her leadership and work ethic will lay a foundation for all of our players and our entire franchise and create the type of team culture and commitment that we believe is extremely important.”
Emerance Maschmeyer
Joins Ottawa by way of Bruderheim, AB, where her development into one of Canada’s top goaltenders included a unique stint playing boys Jr. A hockey with the AJHL’s Lloydminster Bobcats.
She would go on to spend four years at Harvard University from 2012-16, where she was recognized as a top-10 finalist for the Patty Kazmaier Award as a sophomore and graduated as the program’s all-time leader in saves.
Maschmeyer’s international career began at the U18 level in 2012, where she backstopped Team Canada to gold.
Her notable list of international success also includes an Olympic gold medal and seven World Championship medals (2 Gold, 4 Silver, 1 Bronze).
Her professional career began in 2016 in the CWHL, where she was a two-time Clarkson Cup finalist and the 2018-19 Goaltender of the Year. Most recently, the 28-year-old played for the PWHPA from 2019-21 and 2022-23.
“It is an absolute honour and privilege to be one of the first-ever players signed to the PWHL,” said Maschmeyer. “It’s important to recognize that I wouldn’t have reached this point of signing a professional contract without all the determination of the women and pioneers of the game who came before me. I am thrilled to be joining the Ottawa organization as we build a strong-charactered, Championship caliber team.”
Emerance Maschmeyer
“We believe Emerance is one of the top goalies in the world and believe she is heading into the best years of her career,” said Hirshfeld.
“We are excited to have her on our team. In doing our research, people around the game were unanimous about all the intangibles she brings to the table like a positive, infectious personality, an amazing teammate, and a leader. She will be an important part of the culture we are trying to build in Ottawa.”
The PWHL player selection process officially opened on September 1 with an initial free agency period that continues through Sept. 10. Teams are permitted to sign three players to Standard Player Agreements during this time. The 2023 PWHL Draft is scheduled for Sept. 18 where Ottawa holds the fifth overall pick.
