Monthly Archives: December 2021

P.E.I.’s Brett Gallant excited to represent Canada at Winter Olympics (CBC PEI)

Posted on by December 31, 2021

Charlottetown-born curler Brett Gallant says competing in the Olympics will be a dream come true for him and his fiancée, Jocelyn Peterman, even if COVID-19 protocols will make it difficult for them to see each other.

Curling Canada photo

Gallant will be heading to Beijing this winter as part of Brad Gushue’s team. The Newfoundland and Labrador team qualified for the games following a close match during Olympic curling trials in Saskatchewan this November.

Peterman, who’s a member of the Jennifer Jones rink out of Manitoba, also qualified for the Games following a nail-biter in the women’s final.

“That was super nerve-wracking for me,” Gallant said. “I just remember the relief and excitement and how proud I was of her when they did win.”

This will be the first time the two of them will be participating in the Olympics. But Gallant said the global pandemic will probably make it so the couple won’t be able to bask in the moment together.

Click to read the full story at CBC PEI: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/pei-gallant-peterman-curling-beijing-olympics-1.6300781

P.E.I.’s Katie Shaw representing Canada at world junior curling chships (Saltwire)

Posted on by December 30, 2021

(by Jason Simmonds)

Katie Shaw’s commitment to the sport of curling has resulted in an opportunity of a lifetime – the chance to represent Canada internationally.

Shaw plays the lead position for Northern Ontario’s Isabelle Ladouceur rink, which won the recent New Holland world juniors qualifying event in Saskatoon, Sask. That competition determined Canada’s representative at the 2022 world junior curling championships in Jönköping, Sweden, from March 5 to 12.“It still hasn’t fully sunk in, but we are buzzing about it,” Shaw told the SaltWire Network in a phone interview. “It’s kind of unreal to think we will have our own Team Canada jackets that will say our names on it and have the Maple Leaf.

Stratford, P.E.I.'s Katie Shaw follows a shot during the recent New Holland world juniors qualifying event in Saskatoon, Sask. Shaw plays lead for Northern Ontario’s Isabelle Ladouceur rink, which won the right to represent Canada at the 2022 world junior curling championships in Jönköping, Sweden, from March 5 to 12. Curling Canada/Darlene Danyliw
Stratford, P.E.I.’s Katie Shaw follows a shot during the recent New Holland world juniors qualifying event in Saskatoon, Sask. Shaw plays lead for Northern Ontario’s Isabelle Ladouceur rink, which won the right to represent Canada at the 2022 world junior curling championships in Jönköping, Sweden, from March 5 to 12. Curling Canada/Darlene Danyliw – Contributed
 
“It’s a dream come true and is what every junior curler in Canada wants to do someday. It really feels like it’s everything we’ve been working towards our whole careers.”The 19-year-old daughter of Susan Dowling-Shaw and Murray Shaw of Stratford, P.E.I., described the world junior qualifying event as similar to a Canadian junior championship.

Team Ladouceur went 6-1 (won-lost), including a 7-6 victory over Elysa Crough from Edmonton, Alta., in the final.

Although it was not an official national title, the victory carried significance for the Prince Edward Islander.

“Some of the girls have won U18 nationals before, but I have never won anything, so I’m pretty excited about it,” said Shaw.

Team Ladouceur, which includes third stone Jamie Smith, second Lauren Rajala, fifth Katy Lukowich and coach Steve Acorn, curls out of Greater Sudbury, Ont. Shaw is in her second year curling with Ladouceur, whose family resides in Bedford, N.S.

Joined forces

Ladouceur, who attends Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ont., curled in Nova Scotia during the 2020-21 season because the COVID-19 situation in the Maritimes was better than Ontario’s. The team needed to add another player and was looking for someone willing to relocate to Nova Scotia.

Ladouceur knew Shaw because the two played against each other multiple times growing up in the Maritimes. Ladouceur’s teammates knew Shaw from previous national championships.

“We reached out to her, and it was a bit of a miscommunication based on we thought she was first-year university and actually she was in high school,” said Ladouceur. “We were like, ‘Oh no, we don’t want to make someone move in high school to Nova Scotia.’

“But Katie was so gung-ho, was ready to work hard, be a committed player and moved high schools to curl with us. Honestly, that showed her commitment and passion for the sport. Based on that, I knew I wanted to play with her the next year.”

Click to read the full story at Saltwire Media: https://www.saltwire.com/atlantic-canada/sports/peis-katie-shaw-representing-canada-at-world-junior-curling-championships-100675254/

2022 P.E.I. Scotties Tournament of Hearts cancelled due to COVID-19 (CBC PEI)

Posted on by December 29, 2021

Citing recent COVID-19 outbreaks and public health measures not allowing tournaments on the Island, the 2022 P.E.I. Scotties Tournament of Hearts has been cancelled.

The annual curling tournament usually takes place in January and decides which team represents P.E.I. at the national women’s curling championship.

Jamie Newson, the president of Curl P.E.I., said it was in the best interest to cancel to keep players, coaches and staff safe.

“We were hoping to still be able to run the women’s event with some strict protocols in place, but we didn’t feel it was a wise decision at this time,” he said.

“We were waiting on Curl Canada, there had been some talks, rumours basically, whether the national event would be postponed in light of case counts all across the country, and we had confirmation yesterday that they were going ahead as scheduled for the end of January.

“With such a tight timeline we had no option to postpone the event any longer.”

This year’s event was supposed to take place at the Montague Curling Club from Jan. 5-9.

Newson said there is still a plan to send a team to the Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Thunder Bay, Ont.

Newson said clubs and players agreed that it was the right decision to cancel the P.E.I. Scotties, and that the response has been nothing but positive.

“It’s discouraging that we’re in this situation, but at the end of the day you have to do what’s best for everyone’s health and safety,” he said.

Click for full story at CBC PEI:  https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/pei-scotties-tournament-of-hearts-cancelled-1.6299986

2022 PEI Scotties Tournament of Hearts cancelled

Posted on by December 29, 2021

With the current temporary COVID-19 measures in effect not allowing tournaments and the widespread community transmission in PEI, the Curl PEI Board of Directors, with the safety of the athletes, coaches, officials and volunteers in mind, has made the decision to cancel the 2022 PEI Scotties Tournament of Hearts.

The event was scheduled to be held at the Montague Curling Club January 5-9, 2022 and was to decide PEI’s representative for the Canadian Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Thunder Bay, ON.

As announced, the following process will be followed to determine the Curl PEI representative for the Canadian 2022 Scotties Tournament of Hearts:

  1. Curl PEI will invite the PEI team that is leading on the Canadian Team Ranking System (CTRS) as of December 26, 2021 to represent PEI at the national event.  
  2. If that team is not available, with at least 50% of the original roster, Curl PEI will invite the next highest ranking team and so on.

An announcement of the Curl PEI representative will be made when the process is complete.

Curl PEI will continue to consult with health authorities and partners for the remaining events on the 2021-2022 calendar, and remains hopeful that its championship events can be played safely and responsibly.

For further information, contact:

Amy Duncan

Executive Director, Curl PEI

902-368-4208

aduncan@sportpei.pe.ca

Reminder: PEI Mixed Doubles Curling Ch’ship entry deadline is Dec. 29

Posted on by December 28, 2021

Reminder: December 29, 2021 is the entry deadline for the 2022 PEI Mixed Doubles Curling Championship.  Register online at https://pe.curling.io/en/events/11391-2022-pei-mixed-doubles-championship.

 

Event Details:

                Location: Western Community Curling Club

                Date: February 9-13, 2022

                Entry Fee: $90 per team

                National Event: March 22-27, 2022

Peter Gallant is PEI’s latest vip coach from the sport of curling (Sport PEI, PEI Gov’t)

Posted on by December 28, 2021

Peter Gallant, coach of South Korea’s Team Kim, has become the latest coach from the sport of curling to achieve vip coaching status. 

 

 

 

Peter Gallant (Sport PEI photo)

Prince Edward Island’s new vip coaching program encourages coaches to become trained and certified to help improve sport safety and enhance the experience for Island athletes.

The program recognizes the contributions of qualified coaches across the province by creating a coaching community, providing professional development opportunities and offering discounts for sporting equipment.  

“We know that coaching is one of the key pillars to a successfully developed sport system. When coaches receive the proper training and have more chances to excel in ethical leadership, it has a meaningful impact on our athletes. This program will help us develop responsible coaches, inspire future leaders, and celebrate the contributions they make both on and off the field.”

– PEI  Health and Wellness Minister Ernie Hudson

Sport PEI manages the program with funding from the Province.  Sport PEI supports the development, training and education of athletic coaches to ensure Island athletes are guided by trained and certified coaches.

“This wonderful program gives coaches an opportunity to work with other like-minded individuals who are leading the way and creating a positive impact on the lives of everyone in the provincial and community sport sector,” said Lynn Boudreau, vip coordinator, Sport PEI. “One of the biggest challenges for coaches is to find new opportunities to learn, grow and develop together with our athletes. This program will help encourage growth and development in sport settings.” 

“The vip program is an important initiative that not only benefits our Island coaches, but also the athletes themselves,” said Kristin Noonan, member of the Coaching PEI Advisory Committee. “This program ensures PEI coaches have the education, training and screening in place to create a safe and supportive environment for our athletes.”

Become a vip coach here: https://sportpei.pe.ca/vip/
 

WHAT IS REQUIRED TO BE A VIP?

To be part of the vip program, coaches must meet specific criteria:

  • NCCP Trained or Certified coach in the sport indicated within the application
  • Complete CAC Safe Sport Training
  • Complete CAC Mental Health in Sport
  • Complete NCCP Make Ethical Decisions either in class or online evaluation*
  • Complete NCCP Making Head Way
  • Submit a Criminal Record Check or Vulnerable Sector Check that has been completed in the last 12 months
  • Coaches under the age of 18 should contact Lynn at lboudreau@sportpei.pe.ca for more details
  • Must be a coach from PEI or currently coaching on PEI

*The vip program will cover the cost of NCCP MED in class only

WHY BE A VIP COACH?

Upon meeting the criteria, a coach will be rewarded with the following:

  • Clothing Kit (worth over $100)
  • Connections with a variety of coaches across Prince Edward Island
  • Professional Development opportunities and resources for free
  • Discount for the Atlantic Coaches Conference
  • Bi-monthly newsletter and social gathering either online or in-person
  • 15% off discount card for Source for Sports – Charlottetown & Summerside

Scotties decision on Dec. 29, Tankard postponed to late Jan., contingency plans in place

Posted on by December 26, 2021

 The Curl PEI Board of Directors has consulted with local health authorities, the host club, as well as Curling Canada, and has made the following decisions regarding the 2022 PEI Scotties women’s and Tankard men’s championships:

Curl PEI will proceed with the intent to host the 2022 PEI Scotties Tournament of Hearts as originally scheduled, January 5-9, 2022 with a further decision by December 29, 2021.

Curl PEI will postpone the 2022 Tankard to January 26-30, 2022.

The public health situation continues to evolve rapidly and the safety of curlers, volunteers and officials, as well as staying aligned with provincial health restrictions, will continue to be Curl PEI’s top priority.  In the event that either or both of these events cannot be played this season, the following contingencies are in place for those teams that were registered by the deadline:

  1. Should a team choose to withdraw from either event they may do so, without penalty, a minimum of seven (7) days before the Scotties and ten (10) days before the Tankard.
  1. If our provincial event(s) cannot be held yet the national event(s) proceed(s), Curl PEI will invite the PEI team that is leading on the Canadian Team Ranking System (CTRS) as of December 26, 2021 to represent PEI at their respective 2022 national event.  
  2. If that team is not available, with at least 50% of the original roster, Curl PEI will invite the next highest ranking team and so on.
  1. If Curl PEI proceeds with an event(s) and is directed by Public Health to cancel partway through, the following will determine which team Curl PEI will invite as the PEI representative at their respective 2022 national event:
  2. The team that has already won two brackets.
  3. If no team has won two brackets, the CTRS leader as of December 26, 2021, unless that team has already been eliminated.
  4. If the CTRS leader has already been eliminated, ties among bracket winners will be broken by:
  5.      CTRS ranking as of December 26, 2021
  6.      “A” bracket qualifier          

Curl PEI will share further plans for these events as well as plans for all other Provincial events as soon as information is available.

For further information, contact Amy Duncan, Executive Director, Curl PEI at 902-368-4208 or aduncan@sportpei.pe.ca 

 

David MacFadyen becomes PEI’s 3rd vip coach from the sport of curling (Sport PEI, PEI Gov’t)

Posted on by December 24, 2021
David MacFadyen, coach of the Brayden Snow junior team, has become the third coach from the sport of curling to achieve vip coaching status. 

 

 

David MacFadyen (Sport PEI photo)

Prince Edward Island’s new vip coaching program encourages coaches to become trained and certified to help improve sport safety and enhance the experience for Island athletes.

The program recognizes the contributions of qualified coaches across the province by creating a coaching community, providing professional development opportunities and offering discounts for sporting equipment.  

“We know that coaching is one of the key pillars to a successfully developed sport system. When coaches receive the proper training and have more chances to excel in ethical leadership, it has a meaningful impact on our athletes. This program will help us develop responsible coaches, inspire future leaders, and celebrate the contributions they make both on and off the field.”

– PEI  Health and Wellness Minister Ernie Hudson

Sport PEI manages the program with funding from the Province.  Sport PEI supports the development, training and education of athletic coaches to ensure Island athletes are guided by trained and certified coaches.

“This wonderful program gives coaches an opportunity to work with other like-minded individuals who are leading the way and creating a positive impact on the lives of everyone in the provincial and community sport sector,” said Lynn Boudreau, vip coordinator, Sport PEI. “One of the biggest challenges for coaches is to find new opportunities to learn, grow and develop together with our athletes. This program will help encourage growth and development in sport settings.” 

“The vip program is an important initiative that not only benefits our Island coaches, but also the athletes themselves,” said Kristin Noonan, member of the Coaching PEI Advisory Committee. “This program ensures PEI coaches have the education, training and screening in place to create a safe and supportive environment for our athletes.”

Become a vip coach here: https://sportpei.pe.ca/vip/
 

WHAT IS REQUIRED TO BE A VIP?

To be part of the vip program, coaches must meet specific criteria:

  • NCCP Trained or Certified coach in the sport indicated within the application
  • Complete CAC Safe Sport Training
  • Complete CAC Mental Health in Sport
  • Complete NCCP Make Ethical Decisions either in class or online evaluation*
  • Complete NCCP Making Head Way
  • Submit a Criminal Record Check or Vulnerable Sector Check that has been completed in the last 12 months
  • Coaches under the age of 18 should contact Lynn at lboudreau@sportpei.pe.ca for more details
  • Must be a coach from PEI or currently coaching on PEI

*The vip program will cover the cost of NCCP MED in class only

WHY BE A VIP COACH?

Upon meeting the criteria, a coach will be rewarded with the following:

  • Clothing Kit (worth over $100)
  • Connections with a variety of coaches across Prince Edward Island
  • Professional Development opportunities and resources for free
  • Discount for the Atlantic Coaches Conference
  • Bi-monthly newsletter and social gathering either online or in-person
  • 15% off discount card for Source for Sports – Charlottetown & Summerside

PEI’s Brett Gallant and partner Jocelyn Peterman not in Mixed Doubles Trials due to qualifying in the 4-player Trials (Curling Canada)

Posted on by December 19, 2021

Olympic dreams remain intact for 16 mixed doubles teams hoping to win the 2022 Canad Inns Canadian Mixed Doubles Trials later this month.

The mixed doubles teams of Chelsea Carey/Colin Hodgson (left) and Laurie St-Georges/Félix Asselin (right) booked their spots to the 2022 Canad Inns Canadian Mixed Doubles Trials by reaching the final at the Brantford Mixed Doubles Classic. (Photo, Curling Canada/Danielle Inglis)

All 16 teams are confirmed following Sunday’s Brantford Mixed Doubles Classic. The event offered two berths to the top non-qualified teams in the top four of the event. The event’s conclusion also signalled the end of the qualification period for the 2022 Canad Inns Canadian Mixed Doubles Trials. The remainder of the teams qualified based on Canadian Mixed Doubles Rankings (CMDR) points earned this season. 

As was the case in 2018, some players and teams had to be replaced because they were victorious at the 2021 Tim Hortons Canadian Curling Trials earlier this year in Saskatoon.

The 2022 Canad Inns Canadian Mixed Doubles Trials, scheduled for Dec. 28, 2021 – Jan. 2, 2022, at Stride Place in Portage la Prairie, Man., will decide Canada’s mixed doubles entry into the Winter Olympics mixed doubles competition. The winner will defend Canada’s gold medal earned at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games by Kaitlyn Lawes and John Morris.

Morris will have an opportunity to become the first player to win back-to-back Canadian Mixed Doubles Trials titles in the young history of the event. This year, 2018 Olympian Rachel Homan joins Morris in pursuing gold. 

Here’s a look at the 16 teams that qualified. Crossed out names indicate the player will have already qualified for the Olympic Winter Games in four-player team competition:

  • Jocelyn Peterman (Winnipeg)/Brett Gallant (St. John’s, N.L.) – CMDR as of May 20, 2020
  • Jennifer Jones (Horseshoe Valley, Ont.) Selena Njegovan (Winnipeg)/Brent Laing (Horseshoe Valley, Ont.) – CMDR as of May 20, 2020
  • Nancy Martin (Saskatoon)/Tyrel Griffith (Kelowna, B.C.) – CMDR as of May 20, 2020
  • Rachel Homan (Beaumont, Alta.)/John Morris (Canmore, Alta.) – CMDR as of May 20, 2020
  • Kerri Einarson (Camp Morton, Man.)/Brad Gushue (St. John’s, N.L.) Brad Jacobs (Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.) – 2021 Home Hardware Canadian Mixed Doubles Championship gold-medallists
  • Kadriana Sahaidak (Gimli, Man.)/Colton Lott (Gimli, Man.) (2021 Home Hardware Canadian Mixed Doubles Championship silver-medallists)
  • Lisa Weagle (Ottawa)/John Epping (Toronto) (Aly Jenkins Mixed Doubles Memorial Bonspiel qualifier)
  • Laurie St-Georges (Laval, Que.)/Félix Asselin (Laval, Que.) (Brantford Mixed Doubles Classic qualifier #1)
  • Chelsea Carey (Calgary)/Colin Hodgson (Red Lake, Ont.) (Brantford Mixed Doubles Classic qualifier #2)
  • Shannon Birchard (Winnipeg)/Catlin Schneider (Regina) (CMDR as of Dec. 14, 2021)
  • Val Sweeting (Lottie Lake, Alta.)/Marc Kennedy (St. Albert, Alta.) (CMDR as of Dec. 14, 2021)
  • Clancy Grandy (Pickering, Ont.)/Patrick Janssen (Pickering, Ont.) (CMDR as of Dec. 14, 2021)
  • Laura Walker (Edmonton)/Kirk Muyres (Regina) (CMDR as of Dec. 14, 2021)
  • Kim Tuck (Strathroy, Ont.)/Wayne Tuck (Strathroy, Ont.) (CMDR as of Dec. 14, 2021 – excluding CTRS points)
  • Émilie Desjardins (Chicoutimi, Que.)/Robert Desjardins (Chicoutimi, Que.) (CMDR as of Dec. 14, 2021 – excluding CTRS points)
  • Bobbie Sauder (Spruce Grove, Alta.)/Brendan Bottcher (Spruce Grove, Alta.) (CMDR as of Dec. 14, 2021 – due to no qualifier at Qualico Mixed Doubles Classic qualifier)
  • Lauren Wasylkiw (Stouffville, Ont.)/Shane Konings (Stouffville, Ont.) (CMDR as of Dec. 14, 2021 – due to Peterman/Gallant qualifying on four-player teams)

The teams will be divided into two pools of eight teams based on CMDR and play a seven-game round robin. The top team in each pool will receive a bye, while the teams with the following four best records qualify for the playoffs. 

Round-robin play begins on Dec. 28 at 9 a.m. (all times Central) and concludes on Dec. 31 at 12:30. Playoffs start on Dec. 31 at 4 p.m., with the semifinal occurring at 9:30 a.m. on Jan. 2 and the final at 1:30 p.m.

The mixed doubles competition at the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing begins on Feb. 2 and the gold-medal game will be held on Feb. 8.

Tickets for the 2022 Canad Inns Canadian Mixed Doubles Trials can be purchased here.

Broadcasting details and event schedule will be released later this month.

Click to read at Curling Canada: https://www.curling.ca/blog/2021/12/15/mixed-doubles-field-set/

Team Zacharias with PEI’s Lauren Lenentine in Manitoba Scotties final, 6 pm AT on Sportsnet

Posted on by December 19, 2021

Tune in to Sportsnet at 6 pm Atlantic as Team Zacharias with PEI’s Lauren Lenentine plays in the Manitoba Scotties final following a 3-0 run in the championship round, including beating Team Tracy Fleury, who are now out of the playoffs.
Story from the Beacon Herald: https://www.stratfordbeaconherald.com/curling/manitoba-scotties-stunner-sees-world-no-1-fleury-eliminated-former-world-junior-champ-zacharias-into-final

Pink Hat and Tuff Spiel at the Silver Fox postponed due to new public health measures announced today

Posted on by December 17, 2021

Following new public health measures announced today, the Summerside Curling Club at the Silver Fox has announced that they will be postponing both the Pink Hat Bonspiel this weekend and the upcoming Tuff Spiel on December 27th.

The PEI Government announced a number of measures, in effect from Saturday, December 18 at 8:00 am until January 8, 2022, including:
“All indoor sport and recreational activities are paused for Island residents, regardless of age; this includes all organized sports, tournaments, competitions, games, team training and practices.   Individual recreational activities are permitted such as personal fitness, one-on-one fitness, dance, or music classes, however strict physical distancing at recreational activities is required. ”

Full PEI Government announcement at: https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/news/additional-public-health-measures-to-limit-the-number-of-contacts-31-new-cases-of-covid-19

Update: Annual Fox One-On-One Tuff Spiel postponed

Posted on by December 17, 2021
The Summerside Curling Club’s annual 1 vs 1 “Tuff Spiel”, scheduled for December 27th, has now been postponed due to public health measures announced this afternoon.
Previous info:
It is a one day event and it is always a blast. Open to any member at any Island club.
Sign up at the Fox or email bow44@hotmail.com. 
 
See poster for details.

Canadian Seniors: PEI women (3-3) beat defending champ but just miss the ch’ship pool with loss to BC, men finish round robin at 2-4 and also go to the seeding pool (Curling Canada)

Posted on by December 9, 2021

Where 14 men’s and 14 women’s teams began vying for national senior championship glory, only eight of each remain in contention at the 2021 Everest Canadian Seniors Curling Championships at the Community First Curling Centre in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. … Continue reading →