Blayre Turnbull Bio
Blayre Turnbull (born July 15, 1993) is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward and captain for the Toronto Sceptres of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL). A right-shooting forward listed at 5 feet 7 inches and 159 pounds, she is one of the league’s most respected leaders and a multi-time Olympic medalist. Turnbull has represented Canada at three consecutive Winter Olympics, capturing silver in 2018, gold in 2022, and silver again in 2026.
On September 6, 2023, Turnbull signed a three-year deal with PWHL Toronto, the franchise later renamed the Toronto Sceptres. She has served as the Sceptres’ captain since the team’s inception and is widely regarded as a foundational figure in the new professional league. Her career, which began in 2011, has spanned NCAA hockey, the Canadian Women’s Hockey League, and the PWHL.
Early Life and Background
Blayre Turnbull was born on July 15, 1993, in Stellarton, Nova Scotia, Canada, though she grew up in the nearby town of New Glasgow. The Nova Scotia native grew up in a region with a strong hockey tradition, and the sport became part of her life from an early age. Her brother, Brent Turnbull, later played in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League for the Quebec Remparts, suggesting a family background rooted in the game.
Turnbull attended Shattuck-Saint Mary’s, a prep school in Faribault, Minnesota, well known for developing elite hockey talent. There, she was a classmate of future NHL star Nathan MacKinnon and played on the school’s girls’ hockey team. As a junior, she appeared in 52 contests, recording 60 points on 30 goals and 30 assists, and helped her squad win two national championships in two years.
Path to Hockey
Turnbull’s junior hockey resume included stints with Team Atlantic at the 2009 Canadian Under-19 Nationals and invitations to the 2010 and 2011 IIHF World Women’s Under-18 training camps. She was one of only two Nova Scotians invited to the 2011 camp, signaling her status as one of the province’s top young prospects. These experiences helped her secure a roster spot at the University of Wisconsin.
The 2011–12 Wisconsin Badgers season marked her first in the NCAA. She scored her first career NCAA goal on September 25, 2011, against the Lindenwood Lady Lions. Turnbull went on to hold several Wisconsin records and the NCAA record for shorthanded goals in a season. She served as captain of the Badgers in her junior and senior years, won an NCAA championship, and graduated in 2015 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in legal studies.
Blayre Turnbull Career
Early Career (2011–2015)
Turnbull spent four seasons with the Wisconsin Badgers from 2011 to 2015, becoming one of the program’s most accomplished players. Her combination of speed, two-way responsibility, and finishing ability made her a key contributor throughout her college career. By the time she graduated, she had cemented her reputation as a player ready for the professional ranks.
She joined the Calgary Inferno of the Canadian Women’s Hockey League (CWHL) following her senior season. Turnbull quickly made an impact in Calgary, helping the Inferno capture their first-ever Clarkson Cup championship in 2016 at Ottawa’s Canadian Tire Centre. She scored twice in an 8–3 victory over Les Canadiennes de Montreal in the final.
CWHL Breakthrough (2015–2019)
Turnbull’s tenure with the Calgary Inferno established her as one of the top forwards in the CWHL. After her Clarkson Cup win in 2016, she continued to produce offensively while taking on increasingly important roles. She missed much of the 2017–18 season while training with Team Canada for the 2018 Winter Olympics, but returned in time for the Inferno’s playoff run.
In 2019, Turnbull won her second Clarkson Cup with Calgary, further cementing her championship pedigree. Later that year, she joined the Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association (PWHPA) following the collapse of the CWHL. As part of the PWHPA, she participated in the 2020 NHL All-Star Game with the Canadian All-Stars, showcasing her skills on a global stage.
Toronto Sceptres Era (2023–Present)
Following the launch of the Professional Women’s Hockey League, Turnbull was one of three players, alongside fellow Canadian Olympians Sarah Nurse and Renata Fast, signed to PWHL Toronto during a pre-draft period. The franchise was later renamed the Toronto Sceptres, and Turnbull was named captain. Her leadership and experience were central to the team’s identity from day one.
Since 2023, Turnbull has continued to be a central figure for the Sceptres, balancing her on-ice production with leadership duties. Her three-year contract runs through 2026, and she remains one of the most recognizable faces of the new league. Under her guidance, the Sceptres have emerged as a competitive franchise in the PWHL’s early years.
Driving Style and Strengths
Turnbull is known for her skating speed, hockey IQ, and reliable two-way play. A right-shooting forward, she has built a reputation as a player who can contribute in all situations, from power plays to penalty kills. Her competitive temperament and willingness to do the little things have earned her the respect of teammates and opponents alike, qualities that made her a natural choice for the captaincy.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Turnbull’s most memorable moments was scoring twice in the 2016 Clarkson Cup final, a signature performance in her first major professional triumph. She also suffered a broken fibula during the celebration after winning gold at the 2021 IIHF Women’s World Championship, an incident she later called her most embarrassing hockey moment. In January 2026, she was named to Canada’s Olympic roster for Milan-Cortina and scored a key goal in the quarterfinal against Germany.
Blayre Turnbull Career Wins
Blayre Turnbull has built a decorated resume across NCAA, CWHL, international, and PWHL competition. Her trophy case includes a CWHL Clarkson Cup in 2016 and a second Clarkson Cup in 2019, both won with the Calgary Inferno. She also captured an NCAA championship with the Wisconsin Badgers during her collegiate career.
Clarkson Cup Highlights
Turnbull won her first Clarkson Cup in 2016 with the Calgary Inferno, scoring twice in the championship game against Les Canadiennes de Montreal. She added a second Clarkson Cup in 2019, completing a memorable run with the Inferno. These back-to-back major titles helped establish her as one of the premier forwards of her generation in Canadian women’s hockey.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond her Clarkson Cup victories, Turnbull won an NCAA championship with the Wisconsin Badgers and has medaled at multiple IIHF Women’s World Championships. She also captured two Olympic medals with Canada, silver in 2018 and gold in 2022, and added a second Olympic silver in 2026. Her combined accomplishments across leagues and international play mark her as one of the most accomplished Canadian players of her era.
Blayre Turnbull Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Hockey runs deep in the Turnbull family. Her brother, Brent Turnbull, played in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League for the Quebec Remparts, giving the family a strong connection to the sport at the highest junior level. Growing up in Pictou County, Nova Scotia, Blayre was immersed in a region where hockey is a central part of community life.
Personal Life
Blayre Turnbull married retired Canadian bobsledder Ryan Sommer in the summer of 2023. The couple has been together since her professional playing days, and Sommer has been a frequent presence at her games. Outside of hockey, Turnbull holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in legal studies from the University of Wisconsin, reflecting her commitment to education alongside her athletic career.
2025 Season Performance
During the 2025 season, Turnbull continued to lead the Toronto Sceptres as captain in the Professional Women’s Hockey League. Her steady presence in the lineup and consistent two-way contributions helped anchor a young Sceptres roster. As one of the league’s most experienced players, she played a key role in mentoring younger teammates while still producing at a high level.
Turnbull’s international schedule also remained active in 2025, as she was named to Canada’s roster for the 2025 IIHF Women’s World Championship in Czechia. The year added another major tournament to her growing list of international appearances, reinforcing her status as a core member of the national team. Her ability to balance club and country commitments has been a hallmark of her professional career.
Heading into the remainder of 2025 and toward 2026, Turnbull’s focus is on guiding the Sceptres deep into the PWHL playoffs and preparing for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina. With her contract running through 2026, she remains a central figure in both her club and country’s plans. Her leadership, experience, and winning pedigree position the Sceptres and Canada for sustained success.
