PWHL Toronto signs forward Emma Woods to two-year contract

An Ontarian is returning to her home province.

On Friday, PWHL Toronto announced that it has signed forward Emma Woods to a two-year contract.

It was the first official signing of the free agency period, which opened Friday morning.

“We loved how Emma played for PWHL New York this season,” General Manager Gina Kingsbury said in a release. “Emma brings a 200-foot game and is very versatile. She has a high compete level and her impact will be felt in our lineup. We are thrilled to bring Emma back to Toronto and have her join our team for the next two seasons!” 

Woods spent the inaugural season of the league with New York, the team that took her 14th overall in the first-ever PWHL Draft last year. It was a topsy-turvy year for Woods, as it was with the entire N.Y. team. The Burford, Ontario native scored just two goals and three assists in 24 games, the fewest points in a single season in her seven-year professional career. The team itself struggled, going 5-4-3-12, finishing last in the PWHL. Woods’ last goal came in a two-point performance against Boston on Feb. 17.

Prior to joining the new league, Woods capped off an incredible run with a different team from the Six, the Toronto Six that is. Woods played three seasons with the Premier Hockey Federation franchise, winning the final Isobel Cup in 2023. One of her reportedly new teammates, Daryl Watts, was also on that Six team.

“I am incredibly excited to sign with Toronto and return home to continue my professional career,” Woods said. “It is clear that I’m joining a very talented group and an organization that demonstrates strong values and a commitment to winning.”

The 28-year-old has also made stops in the SDHL, playing for Leksands IF during the 2019-20 season. She spent the final two years of the Canadian Women’s Hockey League in China with the Vanke Rays.

With the signing, Toronto has 14 players signed for next season, with a reported seven players on board through the 2025-26 campaign.