TORONTO — The cool breeze in the air, the changing of the leaves and the shorter days can only mean one thing: hockey is back. For the Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Bold women's hockey team, the new season brings new opportunities and a clean slate. 

It was a tough 2025-26 season for the Bold, one that saw the team rattle off wins before extended losing streaks. TMU enters its 2026-27 campaign with an injection of youth, coupled with key returning veterans, who hope to help the program reach new heights.

"I think this year, I'm really going in with that all-or-nothing mentality," said veteran defender Jayden Fox. "With this being my last year, I really want to leave my mark and leave this team better than how I came in."

Fox is one of a handful of seniors with the Bold. Having spent the last four (or five) years with the team, this group of players has watched each other grow into resilient and confident leaders.

Perhaps no one exemplifies resilience and confidence through leadership more than forward Eden Dusome. One of three alternate captains in 2025-26, Dusome's leadership role within the team furthered this season when she became the tenth player in program history to be named captain. Despite the achievement, Dusome's team-first mentality keeps her grounded as she navigates through her final year. 

"What I've learned about myself specifically is, I can handle doing the hard things, adapting to the hard things, and not putting too much pressure on myself or someone else," said Dusome.

"Being assistant last year and captain this year obviously plays a big role in my life, and for other people as well…but I think I would rather people just see me as who I am rather than someone with a letter sewn on their jersey," Dusome said. "I think it doesn't matter if you have a letter or you don't have a letter. People can still lead in different ways."

Dusome has been a consistent presence on the Bold throughout her tenure. The Midland, Ont. native had two assists in her first year, was named an Academic All-Canadian at the end of the 2024-25 season, and tied her career-high with three goals last season. 

The brains behind the operation, Bold head coach Lisa Haley enters her quindecennial season with the team. Combined with her 14 prior seasons at Saint Mary's University, there is no situation that Haley hasn't experienced firsthand.

"I think one of the biggest lessons [I've learned] is to maintain being objective," said Haley. "Just always try to be in the moment and respond accordingly."

Responding accordingly is something that Haley excels at. The Westville, N.S. native has led the program to the OUA playoffs in six of the last eight seasons, including two semifinal appearances. 

"There's always development going on," Haley noted. "Just because the team is in a certain place one day doesn't mean that it's not going to be different moving forward."

Speaking of development, TMU welcomed four new rookies to its 2026-27 recruiting class: 5'10" forward Jeevin Khehra, 'shoot-first' forward Anna McKee, two-way defender Ava Clavelle, and standout goalie Izzy Lane. 

"[The rookies] are coming out with a lot of energy, and I just really hope they keep their confidence coming into university hockey," said Fox. "It's faster, people are bigger, there's more physicality…I just want them to come in with a boatload of confidence in themselves and show the OUA what they're all about."

The Bold also had a few first-year players who missed the majority of the 2025-26 season due to injury: forward Alex Dusome and goalie Katie Frost. 

"[Dusome] was a redshirt for the entire year, and [Frost] did get a cup of coffee last season, but we haven't seen her full potential," Haley added. "We're looking forward to seeing what they can both add to this incoming class as well."

Frost's return to the roster means TMU will have four goalies this season. With no shortage of talent, the Bold's bright spot of goaltending continues. Last year, TMU finished second overall in saves, with 761, largely thanks to now second-year netminder Sydney Pyburn. In her first year with TMU, Pyburn started 21 games while posting an impressive save percentage of .923. 

"I came into the school year thinking I would be lucky to play two games…I played a little more than two games." Pyburn laughed. "It was really nice to get out there and show everyone that I deserved to be there, and it showed."

Coming off a dominant first season, Pyburn was named to the OUA East All-Rookie Team alongside teammate Maddy Collins. Pyburn also ranked fifth in the OUA in saves with 561. 

"This year, I'm able to go into the season with a little bit of understanding of how the other teams are playing," Pyburn noted. "There are certain teams that I know their systems, and what I can do against them. 

With one full year of experience under her belt, Pyburn is entering her sophomore season with confidence and a laser-focused attitude, ready to have another stellar season. 

"I think for me, the biggest thing is I'm more comfortable in the league," said Pyburn. 

"Now that I know my role on the team," said Pyburn. "I'm able to get rid of any of those uncertainties that I had before, and just show up to the rink and play."

The spirits are high heading into this new season. With a refreshed roster and a promising rookie class, the Bold are already working in tandem. 

During the preseason, TMU went 3-2, losing just once on their East Coast road trip. The team's chemistry, combined with a solid veteran presence, puts the team in a prime position to make a playoff push. 

"We're looking at a different team this year," said Fox. "We're coming in with different energy, different skills, and I think fans will see a different TMU women's hockey team."

The Bold officially begin the regular season with a matchup against the Laurier Golden Hawks in Waterloo, Ont. Puck drop is set for 3 p.m., live on OUA.tv.