Sceptres' Natalie Spooner targets Nov. 30 PWHL season opener to return from knee injury

Natalie Spooner has Nov. 30 circled on her calendar, and not because the Toronto Sceptres forward feels particular animosity toward the Boston Fleet.

The Professional Women's Hockey League's first MVP and the International Ice Hockey Federation's female player of the year in 2024 wants to prove to herself by the PWHL's opening day she's come all the way back from a catastrophic knee injury sustained in last season's playoffs.

"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 from Toronto had knee surgery on her left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) after she was checked into the boards by Minnesota's Grace Zumwinkle in Game 3 of their best-of-five semifinal series May 13.

Spooner collapsed to the ice following the hit and crawled to Toronto's bench.

She had a goal and an assist in three playoff games, but was unable to finish the series.

Toronto topped the PWHL's inaugural season standings with a 17-7-0-0 record.

WATCH | Introducing the Montréal Victoire, PWHL Montréal's new team name:

Montreal hockey fans meet your new PWHL team: Montreal Victoire

The Sceptres were up 2-1 in their semifinal, but dropped two games in a row to be eliminated by eventual Walter Cup champion Minnesota.

Spooner led the league with 27 points in 24 games. Her 20 goals, including five game-winners, were nine more than the closest skater.

But Spooner was on crutches at the PWHL's awards ceremony June 11, where she was named the first winner of the Billie Jean King MVP Award.

"I started