PWHL Toronto’s Roster Finalization Gets A Little Complicated With Victoria Bach Delay

PWHL Toronto is going to have to wait on Victoria Bach.

When the final 23-player active rosters are revealed later today or tomorrow for the league, Bach, an Olympic gold medalist and two time World Champion will not be on Toronto’s active list.

The 27-year-old forward is in the process of completing her teacher’s certification which began before the PWHL even came into existence.

Toronto general manager Gina Kingsbury confirmed on the weekend that Bach could not commit full time to the league and the team fully supports the conditions around her situation.

Bach was Toronto’s seventh round pick (38th overall) in the first ever PWHL draft and likely would have gone much higher but all markets were made aware she would not be available until Feb. 1 when her degree is completed and she can commit full time.

Bach has been with the team for chunks of its training camp and accompanied and played in all three pre-season games the team had in the recently completed five-day league training camp in Utica, NY.

Bach’s situation is just another example where the league has made it a priority to ensure the PWHL includes as many of the best women’s hockey players in the world as possible.

Another example is U.S. national team player and Olympic gold medalist Kendall Coyne Schofield who has a three-year contract with the Minnesota PWHL franchise.

Coyne Schofield is going to be a central figure in Minnesota’s lineup but was not in Utica nor on the ice with the team full time as they ramp up for the season. She recently had a baby and the team made the decision to allow her to focus on her newborn. Minnesota GM Natalie Darwitz told The Hockey News Coyne Schofield has been on the ice a few times a week and is expected to join the team on a full-time basis in the new year when the schedule begins.

All six teams will finalize their rosters today with 23 active players and two reserves per team. The full rosters will be made public on Tuesday.

The league begins play Monday, Jan. 1, when Toronto hosts New York in a 12:30 New Year’s Day matinee at the Mattamy Athletic Centre.