Sceptres activate reigning MVP Spooner from LTIR

The Toronto Sceptres activated star forward Natalie Spooner from long-term injured reserve on Tuesday ahead of a clash against the Minnesota Frost.

The 34-year-old sustained a torn ACL in May during the Walter Cup semifinals versus Minnesota.

"I'm excited to be back with my teammates and looking forward to competing next to them again," Spooner said in a statement. "It was obviously a long road to get to this point and doesn't happen without a lot of amazing people in my corner."

The Sceptres shifted defender Lauren Bernard to the team's reserve and released forward Sam Cogan in corresponding moves.

"We are tremendously proud of the work she has invested in getting herself to this point," Sceptres general manager Gina Kingsbury said in a statement. "This has been a long journey, and she has shown throughout this process just how elite of an athlete she is."

Spooner claimed MVP in the PWHL's first season with a dominant 20-goal, 27-point campaign in 24 regular-season contests. She led the league in goals by nine over teammate Sarah Nurse.

The Sceptres placed Nurse on LTIR on Monday after she sustained an injury during Game 4 of the Rivalry Series.

Toronto defeated Minnesota 3-2 in Spooner's return. She notched one assist in the victory.