By Ryan Horne, TSN.ca Staff
It will be anybody's game in St. Catharines.
For a second year in a row, the Scotties Tournament of Hearts will be missing one of the sport's biggest names. After Rachel Homan's upset defeat in the 2016 Ontario Scotties, it was Jennifer Jones and her Winnipeg rink's turn to cause shock waves through the curling world. The foursome lost in the Manitoba semifinals, marking the first time since 2004 that Jones failed to win the provincial title.
The surprise result opens the door to a plethora of different outcomes for this year's Canadian championship in St. Catharines from Feb 18-26.
Chelsea Carey returns as Team Canada in attempt to reenact their memorable run in Grande Prairie while Alberta's Shannon Kleibrink and Michelle Englot of Manitoba make their return to the Scotties for the first time since 2011 and 2012, respectively.
However, Team Homan will be the favourites as the 27-year-old skip will be going for her third career Scotties.
Out of the 15-team field, just five rinks are returning from last year's championship.
Aside from the prestige of winning a Canadian title, a win in St. Catharines gets you a ticket to the women's world championship in Beijing, China and an Olympics Trials spot in 2017 (contingent on finishing on the podium at worlds).
It should be an excellent week of curling and it all kicks off on Saturday, February 18 at 2:30pm ET/11:30am PT on TSN.
Team Rachel Homan (Ontario)
Skip: Rachel Homan Third: Emma Miskew Second: Joanne Courtney Lead: Lisa Weagle
-
Scotties #
5
-
Events Won
3
-
CTRS
349.603 (2nd)
-
WCT
$80,500 (2nd)
- The Ottawa rink will make their return to the Scotties Tournament of Hearts after being upset by Jenn Hanna in the Ontario Scotties last year. They topped Jacqueline Harrison in the Ontario final this year.
- Aside from their two wins on the World Curling Tour this season, Team Homan lost to Allison Flaxey in the Masters final on the Grand Slam circuit as well as the Canada Cup final to Jennifer Jones.
- Homan, 27, will be going for her third Canadian championship in St. Catharines.
FINAL WORD: With no Team Jones in the field, Homan's crew will be the outright favourites at the national championship. They should be extra motivated to reach the top of the podium after watching the tournament on TV last year.
Team Shannon Kleibrink (Alberta)
Skip: Shannon Kleibrink Third: Lisa Eyamie Second: Sarah Wilkes Lead: Alison Thiessen
-
Scotties #
5
-
Events Won
1
-
CTRS
150.770 (15th)
-
WCT
$15,950 (28th)
- Shannon Kleibrink is heading back to the Scotties Tournament of Hearts for the first time since 2011 after upsetting Val Sweeting in the Alberta provincials. Kleibrink, who dealt with a bad back during provincials, will share skip duties at the Scotties with Heather Nedohin.
- This is just the second year Kleibrink, 48, has been in charge of this foursome. Aside from their provincial win, the Okotoks rink has made just one final in eight events played, losing to Karla Thompson in the King Cash Spiel.
- Kleibrink won silver at the 2008 Scotties in Regina and bronze at the 2006 Olympics in Turin.
FINAL WORD: Team Kleibrink should be able to finish with a winning record and even a playoff spot if they can continue their sharp play.
Team Eve Belisle (Quebec)
Skip: Eve Belisle Third: Lauren Mann Second: Trish Hill Lead: Brittany O’Rourke
-
Scotties #
3
-
Events Won
1
-
CTRS
43.513 (52nd)
-
WCT
$2,316 (80th)
- This will be the first Scotties appearance for Eve Belisle since 2010 when she finished with a 5-6 record. Third Lauren Mann, who is new to the team this season, skipped a Quebec team at the Scotties two years ago, but finished with a 3-8 record, just missing relegation.
- Team Belisle upset Team Marie-France Larouche in the Quebec final, 7-4. Aside from provincials, Belisle have played in only three events on the WCT, getting as far as the quarter-final stage twice.
FINAL WORD: Belisle will be in tough to make the playoffs at the national championship. Finishing with a .500 or better record should be seen as a successful week.
Team Robyn MacPhee (Prince Edward Island)
Skip: Robyn MacPhee Third: Sarah Fullerton Second: Meaghan Hughes Lead: Michelle McQuaid
-
Scotties #
8
-
Events Won
2
-
CTRS
80.505 (29th)
-
WCT
$8,450 (42nd)
- Robyn MacPhee, 33, has made many appearances at the Canadian championship, but only one as a skip in 2009 when she finished with a 7-4 record, narrowly missing the playoff round.
- MacPhee played in a handful of Scotties as a member of Suzanne Birt's rink, getting as far as the semifinals in 2003. The pair also won gold at both the Canadian and world juniors in 2001.
- In 2016-17, MacPhee's foursome won the Royal LePage OVCA Women's Fall Classic in November.
FINAL WORD: MacPhee has plenty of Scotties experience and knows what it takes to get through the week with your head above water. This team could find themselves in the playoffs if one of the "Top Contenders" has a down week.