Toronto Sceptres Visit Children’s Rehab Hospital to Spread Holiday Cheer

The Toronto Sceptres took part in their first-ever team visit to a community organization on Monday.

Their visit to Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital was an impactful and special event for the players. patients and outpatients, and their families and friends.

Captain Blayre Turnbull, assistant captain Renata Fast, Jesse Compher, Carly “CJ” Jackson, Emma Maltais, Izzy Daniel, Kaitlin Willoughby, Emma Woods, Maggie Connors, and Victoria Bach all participated in the afternoon’s festivities.

Two outpatients, Orla and Erin Drysdale, played ball hockey with four of the Sceptres, and were shown how to tend the goal by Carly Jackson, and practiced their ‘cellys’ after scoring.

Orla, who is nine years old, came to Holland Bloorview in April 2024 as an in-patient to get the left side of her body moving and learn to walk again after two neurosurgeries for a brain infection.

Other patients were visited by a group of players who felt that the day was very meaningful, especially at this time of year.

“It was awesome,” said Izzy Daniel.

“A few of us went to go meet some of the kids in their rooms and talk to them, talk to their families and just talk about anything other than what they're going through to try to,put a smile on their face.

“And I think it was just as rewarding for us as it was for them. It was really cool to get to meet the kids and just talk to them. They're so happy. And this place is amazing. I've never been anywhere like this.”

It’s really fun for us to be here,” said Turnbull.

“As a team, we feel it's important to give back. So for us to be here to have some fun with the kids and see them smile, it means a lot to all of us.”

“This is an opportunity that is incredible,” added Fast. “We don't often get to engage with these families – sometimes there are barriers for them to get out to our games, So for us to be able to come here and be in the environment that they're in from day to day and engage with them, that was really special for us.”

The team went through a tunnel of yellow and blue sticks to hold a “fireside chat” with some residents and their families. Orla Drysdale had a series of questions ready for the team, including, “What does it feel like when the other team gets a goal?” and “Who is your favorite team in the PWHL that is not Toronto?” to which Compher replied, “None of them!”

After the Q & A, players signed autographs and took photos with patients and friends, and then presented the group with a massive donation of presents and toys which had been donated by Sceptres’ fans at their home game on Saturday at Coca-Cola Coliseum.

The gifts are so plentiful that they will continue to be distributed throughout the coming months, according to Christine Hill, the hospital’s Senior Manager of Engagement.

“The Sceptres community is incredible,” said Fast.

“They have been for the last two years and it's important that, with the position that we're all in, that we can give back and provide opportunities like this to kids and their families. And to know that the Toronto Sceptres and our fanbase played a part in that is pretty cool.”

Connors explained, “Doing this around the holidays, being able to have our fans participate in a toy drive and bring them here, it just makes it very wholesome, and I love the hockey community for it.”