Seattle Torrent face the Vancouver Goldeneyes during a PWHL matchup at Climate Pledge Arena on April 18, 2026. Photo by Jenn G.
Written by Izabela Gage
As the PWHL’s regular season approaches, several teams face uncertainty surrounding key players ahead of training camps, which officially begin Nov. 18. These situations could influence how teams prepare for the opening weeks of the season. For Vancouver and expansion franchise San Jose, the concerns extend beyond individual availability to roster depth and early-season chemistry.
Vancouver Goldeneyes forward Sarah Nurse recently revealed that she has been dealing with back and spine issues, forcing her to miss Canada’s October national-team selection camp.
Nurse addressed her absence in a TikTok video on Oct. 11, saying she had attended multiple medical appointments over the previous month and had not been medically cleared to participate. Despite missing camp, she has continued specialized training both on and off the ice while working toward her return.
She is still finding her footing in Vancouver following an injury-interrupted inaugural season. Nurse suffered an arm injury during the Goldeneyes’ season opener, shortly after scoring the first goal in franchise history, and subsequently missed nearly eight weeks.
Another disrupted preseason could limit her opportunity to establish consistency and build chemistry with her teammates as Vancouver prepares for its second campaign.
Although Nurse has indicated that she is feeling better, her availability for PWHL training camp has not been officially confirmed.
While Vancouver awaits clarity on one of its forwards, San Jose is facing uncertainty following an injury to goaltender Corinne Schroeder.
Schroeder reportedly suffered an off-ice injury during warmups ahead of Canada’s final selection-camp scrimmage on Oct. 14. Head Coach Kori Cheverie subsequently confirmed the injury to reporters.
According to The PWHL Report on Twitter, Schroeder “may be out with a long-term Achilles injury.”
Although she could miss an extended period, the severity of the injury and the length of her potential absence remain unconfirmed.
The timing presents an additional challenge as the franchise prepares for its inaugural season. Schroeder became the team’s first signing in June, providing an experienced option in net before the remainder of its roster was assembled.
If she is unavailable to begin the season, San Jose could turn to Abbey Levy or rookie Tia Chan, who were also named to its training camp roster. However, losing an expected starting goaltender could place additional responsibility on both players as the team works to establish its defensive structure.
With only three goaltenders invited to camp, an extended absence could also create additional roster considerations.
While San Jose works to establish its identity as a new franchise, defending Walter Cup champion Montréal faces a different challenge as captain Marie-Philip Poulin continues to recover from knee surgery.
“I played as best I could with a torn ACL and meniscus because I wanted to be part of this journey that led us to hoist the Walter Cup. … It has become clear that if I want to continue playing at a high level, surgery is necessary. In the short term, it’s a difficult choice, but if I take a step back and think about the years ahead, the decision is obvious,” Poulin said in the Victoire’s June 25 announcement.
Poulin underwent surgery in late July after playing through the injuries during Montréal’s championship run. Her recovery remains ongoing, with no confirmed return date.
Her absence leaves Montréal without its captain and one of its most important offensive contributors. Other forwards will need to take on greater responsibility as the team prepares to defend its title.
Although each team faces its own set of challenges, stability remains a common priority. Vancouver is looking to regain consistency, San Jose is working to build its foundation, and Montréal faces the task of upholding its championship standard without knowing when its captain will return.
With the regular season set to begin Dec. 5, November’s training camps will offer a clearer picture of how each team intends to navigate these uncertainties. As questions surrounding key players remain unanswered, the ability to adapt could be just as important as the talent available on opening night.
