Toronto Sceptres hire Vicky Sunohara as coach consultant
A familiar face to The Six is joining the pro ranks.
On Tuesday, the Toronto Sceptres of the PWHL announced they had hired Vicky Sunohara to join the hockey operations as a coaching consultant.
We’re thrilled to welcome Vicky Sunohara to our team as Coach Consultant!
We would also like to congratulate Vicky on her recent induction to the Canada Sports Hall of Fame 🙌
📰 https://t.co/clJ6TXwUsK pic.twitter.com/6kThH2D9Oj
Sunohara is currently the head coach of the women’s hockey program at the University of Toronto, a position she will continue to hold with this new venture.
“There are very few people who are as passionate about the game as Vicky Sunohara,” general manager Gina Kingsbury said in a release. “A legendary player who led by example on a daily basis. Vicky has not only shown her talent in our game as an athlete, but has also brought her knowledge to build a successful coaching career. We are thrilled to have Vicky join our Sceptres family, not only for the knowledge and experience she will bring to our team, but also for her character and leadership.”
Sunohara will assist the Sceptres’ coaching staff that features Team Canada head coach Troy Ryan, along with assistant coaches Mike Ellis and Rachel Flanagan. The Scarborough native will provide insight and guidance to the staff in a variety of areas. Toronto says Sunohara will be in more of a “hands-on role” at the conclusion of the U Sports season.
“It is such an incredible honour to be a part of this amazing group of inspiring athletes and staff,” Sunohara said. “I am both humbled and excited to join the Toronto Sceptres to work with and learn from some of the best people in the game … This opportunity means so much to me. I can’t wait to support the coaches and athletes in any way I can to help continue the success of this group in Year Two of the PWHL.”
During her time coaching at the university level, Sunohara earned three straight OUA and U Sports Coach of the Year honors, along with helping the Varsity Blues advance to the national tournament in 2022 and 2023, the same years U-Toronto won the OUA McCaw Cup as league champions. She was also named the OUA Female Coach of the Year in 2019-20, an award that spans across all sports.
The two-time Olympic gold medalist has played and coached for Hockey Canada in numerous events and was named head coach for Team Canada at the 2025 IIHF Women’s Under-18 World Championship.
The Sceptres will begin their second season on Nov. 30 when they host the Boston Fleet at the Coca-Cola Coliseum.