Emma Maltais, forward for the Toronto Sceptres and Canadian Olympic silver medalist, remains focused as she transitions from the recent Winter Olympics to the ongoing PWHL season. Less than three weeks after Canada’s narrow 2-1 overtime loss to the United States in the women’s hockey gold-medal match, Maltais was already back on the ice at Leaside Memorial Arena in Toronto, coaching a group of young girls and supporting hockey at the community level. The 26-year-old’s approach signals her determination to harness the Olympic experience to fuel the playoff push with her team.
Since the Olympic heartbreak, Maltais spent time attending other events in Milan, notably short-track speed skating, before regrouping with the Sceptres on the west coast where the team has competed in four games since the break. Speaking about her second Olympics and securing a silver medal, she admitted that the emotions have yet to fully settle and that the outcome still feels raw.
It’s crazy that it happened and then we just continued on,
Maltais said.
But yeah, I mean it was overall a positive experience. I think it sucks — the outcome — but we played so well in that game and we were so close. At the end of the day, I have memories that will last forever with those girls.
At Leaside, Maltais took time to sign jerseys and lead a skills session for young players as part of a Royale initiative aimed at encouraging sustained involvement in youth sports. Born and raised near Toronto in Burlington, Ont., Maltais reflected on returning to an arena where she herself learned to play, viewing it as a meaningful way to give back.
Honestly, I feel like sometimes when you try and connect with the community, it can be hard. It can be hard to be organized, hard to send a message, right? Because you want to be a role model, but you also want to make it meaningful for them,
she acknowledged.
So I think this is a really good way to do that. So it was really cool today.
She encouraged the next generation by emphasizing that sport is more than just making a professional career out of it.
Not everyone’s going to make the PWHL or fight for Team Canada. But sport is so much more than making it a career. I think the fact that we have made it a career will keep girls in it longer just because they see a future in it,
Maltais said.
Addressing Canada’s Youth Movement in Women’s Hockey
The topic of youth integration has been prominent surrounding the national women’s hockey program, especially in light of the Olympic rosters. Team Canada carried an average age of 29.2 years in Milan, noticeably older than the U.S. team’s 25.8-year average. Canada fielded only five players younger than 25, compared to 13 on the American side. Despite these numbers, Maltais remains confident in the country’s hockey development system.
I definitely think hockey is Canada’s game at the end of the day, and I think we have the development in place that can help girls reach their highest potential. But yeah, I think the more girls in hockey, the better the outcome is going to be in terms of development. So I think in this case, more is always better,
Maltais explained.
She also praised how the PWHL has extended the playing careers of many veterans, providing them with opportunities to remain competitive and contribute at the national level.
Potential Leadership Changes Ahead for Team Canada
Looking beyond the 2024 PWHL season, Team Canada faces potential shifts in leadership ahead of the IIHF Women’s World Championship scheduled for November in Denmark. Both head coach Troy Ryan and general manager Gina Kingsbury have hinted at possibly stepping down from their roles. Maltais, who plays alongside Ryan and Kingsbury in the PWHL with the Sceptres, expressed support for Ryan’s past contributions.
Troy has given so much this program and he has earned the power to make his own decisions. He’s given so much to the program and to women’s hockey,
Maltais remarked.
Ryan has indicated that assistant coaches Kori Cheverie and Caroline Ouellette could be considered as successors. Meanwhile, with just a few games remaining in the regular season, the Sceptres remain in a tight playoff race, currently holding sixth place, only two points behind the New York Sirens, who occupy the final playoff slot.
The Sceptres’ Mixed Results Following the Olympic Break
Since returning from the Olympics, the Toronto Sceptres have shown both promise and frustration in their quest for a postseason spot. They have earned points in each of their four outings: victories over Seattle and Vancouver, a shootout loss to Montreal, and an overtime defeat to Minnesota. A recent overtime loss to the Minnesota Frost was marked by controversial officiating decisions, which went against Toronto.
I think we’re moving in the right direction. It’s unfortunate last night that we couldn’t get it done. And sometimes that’s the game of hockey, like with everything. But honestly, the difference between us before the break and after the break, I’m really happy with our direction,
Maltais reflected.
With only ten games left in the season, the Sceptres are aiming to reach the playoffs for the third consecutive year. Maltais noted that entering a playoff battle immediately after the Olympics is a new experience for many players, as the PWHL did not operate during the previous Olympic cycle.
Often athletes struggle post-Olympics. It’s just a very unique experience that I feel like can be very lonely and in a sense very challenging,
she said.
So I think having something to look forward to coming back with the playoff push, I think that’s really good for our mentals and, yeah, I think it’s overall a good thing.
Endurance and Determination as the Season Approaches Its Final Stretch
If the Sceptres advance to the Walter Cup Final, Maltais could potentially remain active through May. She welcomes the challenge, acknowledging the physical and mental strain that comes with such an extended season.
A lot of us have been going for quite some time. It’s an adjustment that we make for the betterment of our sport,
she noted.
After the season concludes, Maltais plans to take a break from hockey to rest, travel, and spend time with her boyfriend. This respite will offer her a chance to reflect on a demanding year filled with both Olympic highs and the intensity of competitive club play.
