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CBC
8 hours ago
- Sport
- CBC
World champion Canadian defender Nicole Gosling poised to be picked early in PWHL Draft
A little more than a year ago, Nicole Gosling was celebrating on the ice in Utica, N.Y., with the rest of Team Canada. The Canadians had just defeated the Americans on home ice in overtime to win the world championship, and it was the defender from London, Ont.'s first title with the senior national team. Now, the 23-year-old is poised for what could be the biggest season of her life. She's projected to be taken high in the 2025 PWHL Draft, which is set for Tuesday in Ottawa, beginning at 7 p.m. ET. She's also one of the defenders fighting for a spot on the blue line for Canada at next year's Olympics. That has been a lifelong dream. "Obviously now there are other goals like playing in the PWHL, winning a Walter Cup, all that," Gosling said in an interview with CBC Sports. "But hopefully one day I could play in an Olympics. That's the ultimate goal, and then hopefully win gold, too. That will always be at the top of my list." She projects as an offensive, intelligent defender for whichever team selects her in the PWHL Draft. The New York Sirens have the first pick, followed by the Boston Fleet, Toronto Sceptres, Montreal Victoire, Ottawa Charge, Minnesota Frost, PWHL Vancouver and PWHL Seattle. Gosling is about as pro ready as they come, and projects to slot into a team's top two or four right away. She could play the same role on Team Canada for years to come, as the team ushers in a new wave of talent. "She's just someone that can really take control of a game with the way that she plays," said Clarkson University head coach Matt Desrosiers, who has coached Gosling for the last five seasons. A hockey family Gosling comes from a big family in London where just about everyone plays hockey. Gosling's father, Peter, played, and it was natural for Gosling and her sister to follow suit. Her cousin, Julia Gosling, just finished her rookie season with the Toronto Sceptres and will play next season with Seattle. Julia's father, Paul, is Gosling's father's twin brother. "Playing with her has been great," Nicole Gosling said. "We've had a lot of success together. We train together in the summer and everything, so there's a lot of familiarity there." Another cousin, Katelyn Gosling, played in the now-defunct Canadian Women's Hockey League. Yet another cousin, Cassidy Gosling, competed at Western University. Another distant cousin is famous for another reason. That would be actor Ryan Gosling, who is Gosling's father's cousin's son. "I can't say I've ever met him," Gosling said. Elite vision A lot stood out about Gosling's game for Desrosiers, who'd been following Gosling's career in London long before he talked to her about coming to the upstate New York college. The first thing he noticed was how smart she is. "She's just able to kind of see plays before it happens," Desrosiers said. "She's always had that ability." Desrosiers focuses on producing defenders who are 200-foot, multi-dimensional players. As a result, the school has churned out some of the best defenders in the PWHL, including Montreal's Erin Ambrose, Toronto's Renata Fast and New York's Ella Shelton. The coach sees elements of all of those players in Gosling. Like Ambrose, for example, Gosling can slow the game down and speed it up when she needs to do so. She can also be relied on by coaches who are looking for feedback on how she saw a particular play, almost like a second coach on the ice. "It was a lot of fun coaching her and kind of even learning from her," Desrosiers said. Marie-Philip Poulin named IIHF female player of the year, beating out 5 Americans Some of those defenders have also become mentors to Gosling. Fast has been a roommate at several Hockey Canada camps and Rivalry Series games, and Gosling said the older defender took her under her wing. It's the same story with Shelton and Ambrose. They've helped Gosling feel at ease in a Canadian jersey, whether it's giving her advice in the locker room or helping things feel light and less stressful. Even just watching how the veteran players approach the game has taught Gosling to focus on owning what she's good at rather than dwelling on what she's not accomplished. It's a lesson she plans to take with her to pro hockey. "Next year, no matter where I'm playing or how I may be contributing to the team, I think it's just being able to stay true to what I'm good at," she said. Gosling could find herself on the same team as at least one of those mentors next season. Ambrose's Montreal picks fourth in the draft and could use another top defender, after losing Anna Wilgren and Cayla Barnes to Seattle via expansion. Or maybe Gosling could find herself in Toronto, which picks third. That would give the Sceptres three strong former Clarkson defenders in the top four, should Gosling join Fast and Savannah Harmon. No matter where she ends up, she plans to bring a calm, composed style of play. Expect offence, too. Gosling finished her career at Clarkson as the school's all-time leader in points by a defender. "I understand both sides of the puck of being defensive, but also liking to contribute offensively," Gosling said. "I bring both aspects in that type of sense. I think I can just be relied on in kind of any situation." Teammates experience draft process together Gosling will have one two of her best friends with her at the draft next week: forward Anne Cherkowski and defender Haley Winn, who are both likely to hear their names called early on draft night. Winn has been Gosling's defence partner at Clarkson for most of her college career. Both set a competitive example inside the Golden Knights' locker room. Gosling never shied away from physicality in practice, setting a tone that would prepare the whole team for whatever came at them in a game. Winn, meanwhile, set an example with the hours she put in. The school has a machine that passes pucks to players so they can practice shooting. Winn shot 35,000 pucks on that machine in her first college season. Gosling said a PWHL team will be getting a special player in Winn. "The people who get to spend every day with her, they're going to learn lots," she said. "Her work ethic is unmatched. She's always at the rink, doing extra, taking care of her body." Like Gosling, Winn is pushing for a spot on the Olympic team next year, but for the red, white and blue. She is already a two-time world champion with Team USA. She also led Clarkson in scoring this past season, racking up 46 points in 38 games. Cherkowski, like Gosling and Winn, is another 200-foot player who can do a bit of everything. She can play up and down a lineup, contributing offence but also taking care of the defensive zone. That ability to be versatile is in high demand in the PWHL. "Anyone that will pick her up is honestly going to get a reliable forward, and I think that's what you need in this league is someone that you can rely on in any situation," Gosling said about her teammate. All three have leaned on each other throughout the draft process. Since their college season ended in the spring, it's been a mix of emotions, of new beginnings and endings. Gosling feels some nerves not knowing where she'll end up. But she also feels excitement to go to a new team and to have her draft moment, just like the players she watched on TV at the NHL Draft as a kid.
National Post
11 hours ago
- Sport
- National Post
Sceptres re-sign defender Kali Flanagan to one-year extension
The Toronto Sceptres have signed defender Kali Flanagan to a one-year contract extension, the Professional Women's Hockey League team announced Thursday. Article content The 29-year-old from Burlington, Mass., had three goals and four assists in 30 games with the Sceptres this past season and was second on the team in ice time with over 647 minutes played. Article content Article content Flanagan was selected by Toronto in the sixth round, 35th overall, in the inaugural PWHL Draft. Article content She had six points (three goals, three assists) during the inaugural season and was the only player to play the full 24 games without taking more than one penalty. Article content Flanagan is the fourth player to re-sign with Toronto this off-season alongside forwards Jesse Compher, Maggie Connors and 2024 MVP Natalie Spooner. Article content The PWHL draft is June 24 in Ottawa. Article content Article content
Toronto Sun
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
Sceptres re-sign defender Kali Flanagan to one-year extension
Published Jun 19, 2025 • 1 minute read Toronto Sceptres defender Kali Flanagan (6) passes the puck as Minnesota Frost forward Kendall Coyne Schofield (26) defends against her in the first period of a PWHL hockey playoff game Sunday, May 11, 2025, in St. Paul, Minn. Photo by Bruce Kluckhohn / AP The Toronto Sceptres have signed defender Kali Flanagan to a one-year contract extension, the Professional Women's Hockey League team announced Thursday. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The 29-year-old from Burlington, Mass., had three goals and four assists in 30 games with the Sceptres this past season and was second on the team in ice time with over 647 minutes played. Flanagan was selected by Toronto in the sixth round, 35th overall, in the inaugural PWHL Draft. Read More She had six points (three goals, three assists) during the inaugural season and was the only player to play the full 24 games without taking more than one penalty. Flanagan is the fourth player to re-sign with Toronto this off-season alongside forwards Jesse Compher, Maggie Connors and 2024 MVP Natalie Spooner. The PWHL draft is June 24 in Ottawa. RECOMMENDED VIDEO News MMA NHL Editorial Cartoons Soccer
Reuters
12 hours ago
- Sport
- Reuters
Sceptres sign D Kali Flanagan to 1-year contract
June 19 - The Toronto Sceptres signed defender Kali Flanagan to a one-year contract extension on Thursday. Financial terms were not disclosed by the team for Flanagan, who recorded seven points (three goals, four assists) in 30 games last season. "It was crucial for us to retain Kali; she brings so much to our blue line. She is a great skating defender who has played a lot of minutes over the past two seasons," general manager Gina Kingsbury said. "Kali has mentioned to us how Toronto has become her second home and was committed to staying a Sceptre throughout this process. We value her commitment to our organization and are excited to have her back on the ice, in the locker room and in our community." Flanagan, 29, was selected by Toronto in the sixth round of the inaugural 2023 PWHL Draft. "I could not be more excited to be coming back to Toronto," Flanagan said. "My teammates, this organization, and our amazing fans have made this city feel like home. I can't wait to put the Sceptres jersey back on this season with my teammates and compete to bring home a championship to Toronto!" --Field Level Media
CTV News
12 hours ago
- Sport
- CTV News
New survey finds huge growth of women's sports in Canada
The Halifax Tides are less than two months into their first season in the new professional women's soccer league – the Northern Super League – in a country where women's and girls' sports are reaching new highs, according to a new survey released earlier this week. 'I'm not surprised by it. I feel like it's about time, actually,' said Kiley Norkus, who plays fullback for the Tides. Norkus said growing up playing the game in California, she and other girls did not lack for opportunity compared to the boys, but she says that changed when she tried to turn pro. 'I had to really grind to find connections,' Norkus said. 'It was like, 'OK, I'm going to take this flight to Spain and hopefully this is a real trial and not like some weird situation,' when, like, I feel like a lot of men had legit agents.' A new national survey presented on Wednesday at the espnW Summit Canada in Toronto has found that 60 per cent of Canadians believe perceptions of women's sport have improved over the past three years. The data also found that 41 per cent of those polled see women's sports as a national investment. Since the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) was founded two years ago, there has been a 45 per cent increase in female hockey registration nationwide. 'Ultimately, the sport is making gains but it's not just important to make gains. It's important to gain a foothold,' said Christina Lamey, president of Cape Breton Blizzard female hockey in Cape Breton. The Blizzard and a number of other female teams in Cape Breton are set to move into the new Home For Women's Hockey at Cape Breton University, said to be the only arena in the country designated solely for girls' and women's hockey. Despite that success on the local level, Lamey said that it's time infrastructure catches up to interest levels in female sport. The new survey suggests structural supports for female sport still lag behind. Lamey said in many cases worldwide, women have been carving out their own places to play. 'So much of this growth in women's sport is claiming of public space by women,' she said. 'It's a really large global movement that's happening, and it's exciting times.' At May's Cabot Trail Relay Race in the Cape Breton Highlands, an all-women's team with an ironic name – 'The Boys' – broke the female team course record for the running team relay by 35 minutes. At least two female Canadian Olympians took part: Julie-Anne Staehli, who competed in the 5000 meter event at the 2020 Games in Tokyo, and Noelle Montcalm, a 400-meter hurdle competitor at the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro along with the 2020 Games. Race committee chair Grace Mason-Parkinson said it's a sign of greater interest and competition among women, even in amateur events. 'Since COVID-19 really, every year we've had another new all-women's team apply,' Mason-Parkinson said. 'We're seeing more women around the course. We're seeing more fun, friendly competition and support for each other.' Norkus is optimistic young girls who come to their games won't have the same kinds of struggles for legitimacy she did. 'We have girls in the league, in Calgary and stuff, who just graduated high school and are going pro,' Norkus said. 'So that itself is a huge step, because we didn't really have that growing up.' Lamey said in recent years – thanks in part to the emergence of the PWHL and construction of the new Home For Women's Hockey – registration numbers for female hockey in Cape Breton have grown by more than 300 per cent.
