Roster Impact Report: Key Injuries and Returns
Torrent vs. Ottowa, December 17, 2025. Photo credits: Jenn G.
Written By Gina Anton
As the 2025–26 PWHL season heats up and teams get ready for playoffs with just over two months remaining before the trade deadline (March 30), a handful of injuries and lineup changes continue to shape rosters and influence results.
Sarah Nurse — Back From Injury, Big Impact for Goldeneyes
Status: Returned from LTIR
Impact: Vancouver Goldeneyes forward Sarah Nurse missed nearly eight weeks after suffering an upper-body injury in the team’s Nov. 21 home opener. This week, she was activated from long-term injured reserve, making her first appearance against her former club, the Toronto Sceptres, and logged solid ice time. Nurse has tallied three goals in her first two games since returning. Her presence adds leadership and offensive firepower to a Vancouver lineup that has struggled to climb the standings but hopes to make a late push into playoff contention.
Dominique Petrie — Lower-Body Injury for the Frost
Status: Out
Impact: Minnesota Frost forward Dominique Petrie remains sidelined with a lower-body injury sustained earlier in January. While the Frost possess a potent offense overall, losing Petrie’s speed and playmaking hurts Minnesota’s depth scoring and forward rotation. The Frost will need to rely more heavily on contributors like Taylor Heise and Kelly Pannek while Petrie recovers.
Dayle Ross — Return Bolsters New York’s Blue Line
Status: Activated from IR
Impact: New York Sirens rookie defender Dayle Ross has been activated from injured reserve and is back in the lineup. Her return strengthens the Sirens’ defensive corps and gives head coach additional options on the back end as New York looks to maintain its points streak and climb the standings.
Day-to-Day Absences: Sceptres’ Defensive Pairing
Status: Day-to-Day Injuries
Impact: Toronto Sceptres defenders Renata Fast and Allie Munroe are currently listed as day-to-day with lower-body injuries. While not long-term, these absences test Toronto’s defensive depth and could influence pairings depending on how quickly they recover.
Roster Notes — Trades & Returns Affect Lineups
Six-Player Trade:
Ottawa Charge and Vancouver Goldeneyes completed the largest trade in PWHL history, with several forwards and a defender changing teams.
Goaltender Health:
Boston Fleet’s Aerin Frankel continues her dominant run, posting elite numbers in net and providing stability behind a strong defensive unit. Her health and performance remain critical to Boston’s success.
