Scotties Curling Rookies

MISSISSAUGA, ON – As a rookie writer, albeit an old one, I was thinking it would be a wonderful coincidence if one of the many rookie faces in the field this week took the opportunity to rise out of relative anonymity, and win a Canadian championship. 

In doing so they would forever be counted among the elite in our sport, and join the long list of legends who have their names etched on the iconic Scotties trophy. 

With the prohibitive favourite and best team on the planet, Team Homan, out of the mix as they prepare themselves for the Olympics, this year’s title is completely up for grabs. And the entire field here knows it. 

This will be the best chance to capture the Canadian women’s crown, likely for the next couple of years at least, looking ahead.  

Team Kerri Einarson is obviously, in this reporter’s mind, the favourite to win the event. Their recent successes include capturing four consecutive championships from 2020 through 2023… but after Kerri, who’s next? 

This column won’t go too deep into speculating who this might be, or who will perform best this week, particularly in the playoffs. However, I will speculate on what to watch for as the week progresses. 

• The teams at the top of the standings will be the ones who are best able to read the ice, figure out what draw weight is late in games. Makes and misses will come down to pressure and maintaining their focus on the process. 

• Experience matters. Lawes, Einarson, Black, Skrlik, Scharf... early in the week, their experience will win them each a game or two. If a rookie team can get rolling however, their play should become much more free, understanding that without Team Homan here, anything is possible. 

• In the playoffs, watch for the player/team who has never been there before. Each team has at least one player who has not won a Scotties title. The athlete who can perform the best under pressure will be the one who can lift their team to glory. Watch for an athlete who gets in “the zone” late in the week; there will be a hero born next by the time the dust settles next weekend. 

The one guarantee I will make is that whoever wins this week will have at least one player who will realize a dream coming true. I can’t wait to see the celebration.