The University of Toronto Varsity Blues women's hockey team takes to the ice for their 2024-25 season opener this Thursday, October 10 when they travel to take on the Waterloo Warriors in a repeat of last year's OUA McCaw Cup Final.
The Blues had an overall record of 24-13-1 last season, including 19-9-0 in conference play, good enough for second in the OUA East division. Toronto took down the Queen's Gaels in three games in the OUA quarter-final round, then defeating Guelph in three games in the OUA semifinals. The Blues lost 2-1 in the McCaw Cup Final, but had already punched their ticket to the U SPORTS championship, where they beat UNB and Montreal before falling to Concordia in the final game, 3-1, to achieve the program's best finish since 2002-03.
The Blues had a strong preseason, going 5-2-0 and closing out the exhibition schedule with three consecutive wins. The Blues will open the regular season with a four-game road trip, making stops in Waterloo and Ottawa for two games in each city before skating on Varsity Arena ice.
FROM THE COACH'S DESK
"We are excited about this group, a highlight has been the intensity at practice. We are very young defensively, but they have been eager to learn and be challenged. Our returning players have come to pre-season with optimism and passion to share in what it means to wear our T and Leaf. The momentum they have brought from their experiences last season has been exciting to see."
- Vicky Sunohara, University of Toronto Varsity Blues women's hockey head coach
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Key Returners: Emma Potter (D), Ashley Delahey (F), Taylor Delahey (F), Kalie Chan (F)
Key Additions: Sadie Watkins Southward (D), Scarlett Jones (F), Taylor Thompson (D), Scout Watkins Southward (F)
LAST SEASON'S LEADERS
Goals: Taylor Trussler | 37 GP, 13 G
Assists: Taylor Trussler | 37 GP, 16 A
Points: Taylor Trussler | 37 GP, 29 PTS
Wins: Erica Fryer | 36 GP, 23 W, 7 SHO
MARUQEE GAMES
October 25 vs. Brock
After opening the season with four road games against Waterloo, Laurier, Ottawa, and Carleton, the Blues host the Brock Badgers for their home opener. Toronto has won three of their past four meetings against Brock, with the most recent victory coming as a 4-0 win in St. Catharines in November 2023.
November 2 at Guelph
One of the first tests of the Blues season will be when they travel to Guelph to face the Gryphons, a team that was a juggernaut throughout the 2023-24 regular season. The Blues got the better of the Gryphons in both the regular season and the 2024 OUA semifinals. After losing 1-0 in Game 1, the Blues stormed back in the best-of-three series with 3-1 and 1-0 wins to advance to the McCaw Cup Final.
January 31 vs. Nipissing
The Blues host the Lakers in this late regular-season matchup, which will prove to be a good test for Toronto as they approach the playoffs. The Lakers were the top team in the OUA East division last season, winning three more games than the second-place Blues. Nipissing has a strong program that will put the Blues to the test, and bring a playoff-like atmosphere and intensity to Varsity Arena.
February 16 at TMU
The Blues take on their downtown Toronto rivals in their final regular season game. The Blues are undefeated against the Bold in 11 consecutive regular season match-ups, in addition to two playoff victories, dating back to February of 2020. U of T will be looking to replicate this success as they prepare for the playoffs.
