Rookie sensation Raygan Kirk a revelation for Toronto Sceptres

Having been part of a dynastic team with the Ohio State Buckeyes, enjoying a pair of national championships, Raygan Kirk has quickly demonstrated she is ready for prime time. Hailing from Ste Anne, Manitoba, the same community which produced Bailey Bram, Melanie Gagnon and Jocelyne Larocque, Kirk is ready to shine in the pro hockey spotlight.

Running parallel to this unique lineage, Kirk, also the MVP of the 2019 IHF U18 Women’s Worlds, is part of a growing legacy of Buckeyes alumnae graduating to the professional ranks. Among eight Buckeyes taken in the 2024 PWHL Draft, it stands as testament to the quality of talent currently being developed by this ascending NCAA hockey powerhouse.

Following the retirement of talented backup goaltender Erica Howe, currently facing a brave battle against cancer, the Sceptres found a gem in the seventh round of the Draft, selecting Kirk. Maintaining a strong goaltending picture, including Kristen Campbell, the 2024 PWHL Goaltender of the Year, complemented by former Isobel Cup champion Carly Jackson, Kirk has made a seamless adjustment.

Making her professional debut versus the New York Sirens on December 18, 2024, Kirk made a relief appearance. With a second period that resulted in four Sirens (Noora Tulus, Emmy Fecteau, Micah Zandee-Hart, Jaime Bourbonnais) recording their first goals of the season, Kirk replaced Campbell heading into the third period. Recording nine saves, keeping the Sirens off the scoreboard, Kirk also nullified a pair of power plays. Accentuated by the Sceptres scoring twice, as Hannah Miller and former New York skater Emma Woods added their names to the scoresheet, Kirk’s valiant efforts were part of a respectable third period.

Following it up with three consecutive starts on home ice, Kirk continued to impress. Facing off on December 21 against the star studded Victoire de Montréal, featuring former Toronto Six goaltender Elaine Chuli on the opposite end of the ice, the Sceptres took a 2-0 lead after the first period. Despite Montréal tying the score in the second, Patty Kazmaier Award winner Izzy Daniel restored the lead at the 15:26 mark. Worth noting, it marked back-to-back periods in which Kirk faced 14 shots.

With a third period resulting in a pair of Toronto penalties, their woes alleviated by a game misconduct, such a disadvantage allowed Montréal an opportunity to tie the game. Considering that Toronto was outshot by a 10-4 margin during the third, Kirk proved essential in preventing the opposition from gaining the lead. Despite Laura Stacey recording the overtime winner merely 15 seconds in, it was highly fitting that Kirk gained Third Star of the Game honors.

Six days later, Toronto hosted the Boston Fleet, anchored by star goaltender Aerin Frankel. Resulting in a pair of shared milestones, the victorious outcome added lustre to Kirk’s holiday season. With the Sceptres enjoying a 1-0 lead after the first period, thanks to captain Blayre Turnbull finding the back of the net in the first period, Jessica Kondas added to the lead at the 2:06 mark in the second. Recording the first goal of her PWHL career, Kondas’ goal was assisted by Sarah Nurse and Daryl Watts.

The theme of firsts continued as the second period also saw Boston’s Loren Gabel record her first of the season. In the latter half of the third period, Sceptres blueliner Kali Flanagan also enjoyed her first for this season. The 18:55 mark saw Boston rookie Hannah Bilka join Kondas with her first PWHL career goal.

Recording 26 saves in a 4-2 final, Kirk holding her own versus Frankel, the postgame accolades enhanced the sense of milestone and celebration.  Kondas gained the First Star of the Game while Kirk earned Second Star honors. Gabel gained the Third Star for the visiting Fleet. Worth noting, Kirk became the first goalie from the 2024 PWHL Draft Class to earn a win.

With a New Year’s Eve match versus the Ottawa Charge presenting a new chapter in the Battle of Ontario, the surprise of a monumental trade earlier in the day served as the backdrop. An evening filled with plenty of emotion was not lost upon Kirk. Among the highlights of her rookie campaign involved calling Larocque a teammate, bridging generations of elite talent from Ste Anne.

The blockbuster trade saw Larocque and Victoria Bach shipped to Ottawa in exchange for Hayley Scamurra and Savannah Harmon, also members of the United States national team. Understandably, the game brought with it a feeling of adjustment for all involved. Played in front of a sold-out crowd, the fact that the first period had no goals, nor penalties, accentuated the sense that the players in question were still absorbing what transpired. In the second period, Toronto regrouped, peppering Maschmeyer with 14 shots.

Despite Toronto’s best efforts, Ottawa’s Ronja Savolainen found the back of the net for the first goal of her PWHL career as the theme of firsts emerged once again. Although Ottawa and Toronto exchanged goals in the third period, Maschmeyer logged a solid 37 saves, emerging as the difference in one of the defining game’s of the second PWHL season. As a side note, Scamurra had three shots on Kirk.

Although the 2-1 loss was very visceral for Kirk, marking the second time this season that Ottawa bested Toronto by a one goal margin, her run of three terrific starts has provided a very valuable learning experience. Demonstrating that she is capable of competing at the pro level, the numbers speak for themselves. Highlighted by 81 saves, a 2.41 goals against average plus an exceptional .910 save percentage, her four appearances, all in December, are destined to set the foundation for greater achievements to follow.

All images by Lori Bolliger Photography