Renata Fast is returning to the Toronto Sceptres, fully aware that she could have earned more money elsewhere. But for Fast, a founding member of Toronto's PWHL franchise and a key part of its leadership group, loyalty and unfinished business matter more. The long-time national team member and reigning PWHL defender of the year never seriously considered leaving.
"Honestly, it was kind of a fun experience," Fast said Wednesday, hours after her signing was announced. "I knew where my heart was the entire time. I have invested so much into Toronto and feel so strongly about the organization. It was at the top of my list."
Fast signed a three-year contract with an average annual value of $114,000, giving her at least three more chances to achieve the Walter Cup victory that has eluded the Sceptres. Despite rumors linking her to other teams, Fast said she didn't take calls from many other franchises.
Hamilton's appeal
The one market that gave her pause was Hamilton, an expansion city close to her hometown of Burlington. The presence of Meghan Duggan, a former assistant coach at Clarkson University, as Hamilton's general manager made it tempting. "Obviously being so close to where I grew up, there was some thought there," Fast admitted. "But at the end of the day, I always knew Toronto was where I wanted to be."
Had she signed with an expansion club, Fast could have received a fourth year, a signing bonus, and potentially a larger salary. But none of that outweighed her commitment to the Sceptres.
Coaching change and new challenges
The Sceptres will look different next season. Expansion will reshape the roster, and head coach Troy Ryan has left to become GM and head coach of the San Jose expansion team. Fast acknowledged the shock of losing Ryan, who coached her for nearly a decade with the national team and the Sceptres.
"I have learned so much from him," she said. "But when I signed three years ago, I believed we would win a Walter Cup, and I couldn't imagine leaving Toronto without accomplishing that."
Fast and the returning Sceptres aim to rebound from a tough 2025-26 season, when they missed the playoffs for the first time. "We have a core group that has invested a lot in the culture," Fast said. "I would love nothing more than to win a Walter Cup and celebrate with this incredible fanbase."
Injury-plagued season
Fast's 2025-26 season was hampered by injuries and the stress of the Olympics. "The big one was the stress of the Olympics," she admitted. "I felt the load, but after the Olympics, I started to find my game again." The Sceptres played better after the Olympics but couldn't overcome their slow start.
With free agency behind her and now one of three protected players, Fast is focused on the future. "There were a lot of question marks heading into this expansion," she said. "I hope we remain a 12-team league for a while so we can build chemistry and connections with our cities and fanbases."
