2007 Sylvan Learning Atlantic 17 & Under Curling Championship

Sylvan Learning Atlantic 17 & Under Curling Championship

April 5-8, 2007, Charlottetown Curling Club

Welcome to the Sylvan Learning Atlantic 17 and Under Curling Championship! This event is the elite competition for up-and-coming Junior men and women curlers from all four Atlantic provinces, as the provincial champions in the 17 and under age bracket compete for the Atlantic title.

Here is the latest news on this event:

News

Gushue broom donated to Curl for Wishes
Posted Tuesday, April 10, 2007 by derekm

During the Sylvan Learning Atlantic 17 and Under Curling Championship on the weekend, a curling broom was donated by Team Newfoundland and Labrador to be auctioned off at the third annual Vogue Optical Children's Wish Foundation "Curl for Wishes" Charity Curling Spiel, scheduled for April 12th through April 14th, 2007 at the Charlottetown Curling Club.

The broom, which belonged to 2001 World Junior champion and 2006 Olympic Gold Medallist Brad Gushue, is signed by the 2006 Gushue gold medal team, along with the 2006 Brier champion Jean Michel Menard rink. and the Pete Fenson 2006 Olympic Bronze Medal team from the USA.

Presenting the broom to Dave Kassner, manager of the Charlottetown Curling Club, were Jeff Thomas, who coached the Gushue rink during their World Junior win, and Russ Howard, who curled on Gushue's Olympic gold medal team.

Gushue broom

Photo (L-R): Jeff Thomas, Dave Kassner, Russ Howard

Nova Scotia captures Sylvan Atlantic 17 and Under Men's Crown
Posted Sunday, April 8, 2007 by derekm

The Kendal Thompson rink from the Lakeshore Curling Club in Halifax defeated New Brunswick's Jon Rennie foursome by a 9-4 score Sunday evening to win the men's section of the Sylvan Learning Atlantic 17 and Under curling championships at the Charlottetown Curling Club. Thompson took a triple in the sixth end to lead 7-3, and put the eight-end game out of reach by stealing a deuce in the seventh. Other members of team Thompson are 3rd Adam Berry, 2nd Mitch Cahill, lead Matt Dumaresque and coach Stephen Thompson. Playing with Rennie were 3rd Chris Sleep, 2nd Jason Pye, and first stone Alex Kyle. The coach of this Riverside Curling Club team is Kevin Kyle.

L-R Alan Shipman (Sylvan Learning), Kendal Thompson, Adam Berry, Mitch Cahill, Matt Dumaresque, coach Stephen Thompson, Chick Morrison (PEICA)

Thompson earned a bye to the final by virtue of his first-place finish in the round robin, with a 3-1 record. The Colin Thomas rink from the St. John's Curling Club in Newfoundland had an identical record, but lost to Thompson in their round robin encounter. New Brunswick were third at 2-2. In the closely-fought 2nd vs 3rd place semi-final game this afternoon, Rennie edged Thomas 5-4 to advance to the championship game.

Great weekend for the Howard clan
Posted Sunday, April 8, 2007 by derekm

The Ashley Howard rink from the Beausejour Curling Club in Moncton defeated Charlottetown's Katie Sharkey foursome by a 9-3 score this evening to win the women's final at the Sylvan Learning Atlantic 17 and under Curling Championship at the Charlottetown Curling Club.

Howard scored triples in ends two, four and seven en route to the victory. Other members of team Howard are 3rd Jillian Babin, 2nd Melissa Menzies, lead Alice MacKay and coach Mike Babin. Playing with Sharkey were 3rd Alexis Wright, 2nd Christina Keen, lead Chelsey Stordy, and Coach Pam Wright.

L-R Front: Alan Shipman (Sylvan Learning), Ashley Howard, Jillian Babin, Melissa Menzies, Alice MacKay, Chick Morrison (PEICA). Back: Russ Howard, coach Mike Babin

In the semi-final, Howard got by Cornwall's Sarah Fullerton rink by a 10-7 score. The PEI host team, who finished in second place in the provincial championships this year, and first last year, led 4-2 after three ends, when Howard took a four-ender, followed by a sixth end triple. The PEI rink were lying three in the last end and would have won the game had Howard missed, but she hit and stuck for the winning point. On Sunday morning, after a two hour delay due to the stormy weather, Howard beat Jennifer Cunningham of Newfoundland 5-2 to win a tiebreaker for third place to advance to the semi-final.

It was a good day for the Howard clan, as Ashley's uncle Glenn also won a championship -- defeating Germany's Andy Kapp by an 8-3 score in Edmonton for his third World Men's Curling Championship, but his first as skip. Glenn won previously in 1987 and 1993 playing third for his brother Russ, who was otherwise occupied this time, watching his daughter's victory in Charlottetown.

Silver Medallist photos

Team Prince Edward Island

L-R Alan Shipman (Sylvan Learning), Skip Katie Sharkey, 3rd Alexis Wright, 2nd Christina Keen, Lead Chelsey Stordy, Coach Pam Wright, Chick Morrison (PEICA)

Team New Brunswick

L-R Alan Shipman (Sylvan Learning), Skip Jon Rennie, 3rd Chris Sleep, 2nd Jason Pye, Lead Alex Kyle, Coach Kevin Kyle, Chick Morrison (PEICA)

Bronze Medallist Photos

Team PEI-Host

L-R Gayle Johnston (PEICA Technical Coordinator and Charlottetown Curling Club Jr. Rep), Skip Sarah Fullerton, 3rd Michelle McQuaid, 2nd Hillary Thompson, Lead Sara MacRae. Coach Marilyn Sutherland. Back: Event organizer David Murphy. Missing from photo is 5th Alyssa Mutch

Team Newfoundland and Labrador

L-R Gayle Johnston (PEICA Technical Coordinator and Charlottetown Curling Club Jr. Rep), Skip Colin Thomas, 3rd Spencer Wicks, 2nd Andrew Lehr, Lead Scott Eaton, Coach Jeff Thomas, event organiuzer David Murphy.

Ashley Howard advances to Sylvan Atlantic 17 semi
Posted Sunday, April 8, 2007 by derekm

When her uncle Glenn gets set to play Germany at 2:30 this afternoon for the Ford World Men's title in Edmonton, Moncton's Ashley Howard will be on the ice competing in the 2 pm semi-final of the Sylvan Learning Atlantic 17 and Under championships at the Charlottetown Curling Club. She defeated Newfoundland's Jennifer Cunningham rink by a 5-2 score in today's tiebreaker to resolve third place. Howard stole a single in the first end, and a deuce in the second before Cunningham took a deuce in the third. A single in the fourth and another in the 5th for the Howard foursome gave them the right to advance to the 2 pm semi-final against second place Sarah Fullerton of Cornwall PEI. The winner of that game goes on to play Charlottetown's Katie Sharkey in the final at 6 pm.

The 2 pm men's semi pits Newfoundland's Colin Thomas against Jon Rennie of New Brunswick, with the winner taking on Kendal Thompson of Nova Scotia in the 6 pm final.

Sunday play to go with delay at Sylvan Atlantic 17 and Under
Posted Sunday, April 8, 2007 by derekm

The weather is causing delays at the Sylvan Atlantic 17 and Under Curling Championship at the Charlottetown Curling Club, but this morning's tiebreaker game between Ashey Howard of Moncton and Jennifer Cunningham of Newfoundland and Labrador will go at 11 am (a two hour delay). Ice preparation has begun and the teams are being transported by 4 wheel drive from their hotel. The semi-final and final rounds will be delayed on hour, and will go at 2 and 6 pm, respectively.

Sylvan Atlantic 17 and Under tiebreaker delayed until 11 am
Posted Sunday, April 8, 2007 by derekm
Due to the inclement weather, organizers have delayed the 6-end tiebreaker game between Jennifer Cunningham of Newfoundland and Labrador, and Moncton's Ashley Howard rink until 11 am.

Other draws today at the Charlottetown Curling Club are currently scheduled for 1 pm (semi) and 5 (final), but may change due to weather conditions.

PEI Women, Nova Scotia Men advance to Sylvan Learning 17 and Under finals
Posted Saturday, April 7, 2007 by derekm

Round robin play wrapped up on Saturday at the Sylvan Learning Atlantic 17 and Under Curling Championships being played at the Charlottetown Curling Club. In men's play, the Kendal Thompson rink from the Lakeshore Nova Scotia Curling Club finished in first place with a 3-1 win-loss record, and have earned a bye to the final, Sunday at 5 pm. Newfoundland and Labrador's Colin Thomas also finished at 3-1. but was awarded second place by virtue of his loss to Thompson in his opening game on Friday. Thomas plays third place Jon Rennie of New Brunswick in the semi-final Sunday at 1 pm, with the winner facing Thompson for the title. Rennie finished at 2-2, while the two PEI teams - Sam Ramsay and Spencer Pitre, were 1-3.

L-R Alan Shipman (Sylvan Learning), Kendal Thompson, Adam Berry, Mitch Cahill, Matt Dumaresque, coach Stephen Thompson, Chick Morrison (PEICA)

On Saturday, Nova Scotia's Thompson downed Pitre and his PEI host team by an 8-3 score in his only game of the day. Thomas of Newfoundland got bye PEI's Sam Ramsay rink 4-3 in the morning, and Jon Rennie of NB 6-5 in the afternoon draw. Host club team Pitre defeated Sam Ramsay and his PEI championship team by a 6-4 score, in a game that was cut to seven ends due to time constraint rules.

The women's division also featured a battle of the two PEI rinks, with PEI champion Katie Sharkey handing host team and 2006 champion Sarah Fullerton her first loss, by a 9-4 score, taking five points in the sixth end, when Fullerton was unsuccessful in raising one of her stones to the four foot with her final shot. The win gave both teams identical 3-1 records, and handed first place and the bye to the final to the Sharkey rink. Both rinks had won their morning games, Fullerton 8-1 over Erin Porter of NS (who finished at 0-4), and Sharkey 6-3 over Newfoundland and Labrador's Jennifer Cunningham.

Cunningham, and New Brunswick's Ashley Howard both finished at 2-2, and will play in a tiebreaker Sunday morning at 9 to determine third place. Cunningham edged Howard 5-4 in the afternoon draw.

The 3rd place finisher will play Fullerton in the 1 pm semi-final, with the winner facing Sharkey in the championship game at 5.

Impressive Opening at 17 and Under
Posted Friday, April 6, 2007 by derekm
The official opening of the Sylvan Learning Atlantic 17 and Under Curling Championships was truly an impressive affair, with the 10 curling teams piped in by Jessica and Nick vanOuwerkerk, and escorted by the 60 Air Cadet Corps of Charlottetown. Master of Ceremonies Robbie Doherty introduced a number of dignitaries, including John Morrison from PEI Sports and Recreation, PEI Curling Association President Chick Morrison, Charlottetown Curling Club president Gale MacDonald, event organizer and PEICA Junior Coordinator Dave Murphy, and Alan Shipman from title sponsor Silvan Learning of Charlottetown. All offered greetings to the teams and wished them luck during the competition.

Colour Guard and teams

The event was capped off with special guests the Brett Gallant rink, who are last year's Atlantic 17 and Under Men's champions, and also bronze medallists at the 2007 Canada Games, and silver medallists at this year's Canadian Juniors. The Gallant foursome threw out the ceremonial first rock, and swept it to the button.

Gallant rink put ceremonial 1st rock on the button

NB, NS lead Men, PEI Host Team and NB lead women's after day one at Sylvan Atlantic 17 and Under
Posted Friday, April 6, 2007 by derekm
After the first day of play at the Sylvan Learning Atlantic 17 and Under Curling Championship being played at the Charlottetown Curling Club, there are no undefeated teams on the men's side, and only one unbeaten rink remaining in the women's division. In men's play, Nova Scotia's Kendal Thompson, and New Brunswick's Jon Rennie are both 2-1, while Sam Ramsay from PEI, and Colin Thomas from Newfoundland and Labrador are 1-1. The PEI host team, Spencer Pitre, are 0-2. In the morning draw, Rennie doubled Pitre 4-2, while Ramsay downed Thompson 6-1.

In the afternoon draw, PEI's Ramsay stole a deuce in the first end, but New Brunswick took the next two ends and then stole a deuce to take the lead as they went on to win 6-4.
Newfoundland and Labrador's Colin Thomas were not at their best in their opener, losing 8-1 to Nova Scotia, after giving up four in the first end, when their attempted hit and roll behind cover failed to bury, and Thompson removed it for four. The Newfoundland foursome had the same 8-1 score in their next game, but on the winning side over PEI's Spencer Pitre. In a close battle, Nova Scotia got by New Brunswick by a 6-5 score.

On the women's side, the PEI host team, Canada Games rep Sarah Fullerton, are the only undefeated rink at 2-0, after defeating Ashley Howard of NB 8-7 in their opener, and Jennifer Cunningham of Newfoundland Labrador 5-3. Howard, New Brunswick's Canada Games rep, also has two wins, after scoring five points in the last end to beat PEI's Katie Sharkey 9-5, and trouncing Erin Porter of NS by an 8-1 score. Sharkey and Cunningham are both 1-1 after winning their openers 6-1 and 8-1 respectively over Porter (0-3).

Round robin play wraps up on Saturday, with draws at 9:30 am and 3 pm. The playoff round goes Sunday, with the finals at 5 pm (or 7:30 if two tiebreakers needed).

Special Guests

PEI's Brett Gallant rink, 2007 Canadian Juniors silver medallists and Canada Winter Games bronze medallists, will be special guests at the Sylvan Learning Atlantic 17 and Under Curling Championship, and will throw the first rock at the opening ceremonies, Friday April 6th at 6 pm at the Charlottetown Curling Club.

Colour Guard

The 60 Air Cadet Corps of Charlottetown will be providing the colour guard for the Sylvan Atlantic 17 and Under Championship.

L-R: Cpl Alex Hughes, Sgt Ryan Courtney Flag party Commander, Cpl Brendan Gaudet

Bands Announced

The bands have been announced for the Post-Banquet Fling, 8-11 pm on April 7th at the Charlottetown Curling Club.
Producer: Justin Somers Fox Sound Productions. Note: open to juniors 12 and up. Curlers may bring an invited guest (if guest goes to the banquet, they will have to buy a ticket for that). Free admission to dance, but there will be a coin collection for the bands. Here is the lineup:

Bands

sponsor

David Murphy of the PEICA (left) and Alan Shipman, Director Sylvan Learning Centre in Charlottetown seal four year sponsorship agreement for age 17 and under curling

The PEI Curling Association is pleased to welcome Sylvan Learning Centre, Charlottetown, as title sponsor for the 2007 Sylvan Learning Atlantic 17 & Under Curling Championship to be held at the Charlottetown Curling Club April 6th – 9th.

Alan Shipman, Director of the Sylvan Learning Centre in Charlottetown, commented that not only are they pleased to be sponsoring the Atlantic championship this year and again in 2011, but they have also made a four year commitment to sponsor the Sylvan Learning Provincial 17 & Under Championship here on the Island.

Shipman said "Young curlers, and students at Sylvan have fun, learn discipline, new skills and strategies for improvement, as well as growing in confidence that will take them forward in curling, school and their lives ahead. We look forward to the Championship in April and to continuing support of the young curlers of PEI."

David Murphy, PEI Curling Association Junior Coordinator, said that this sponsorship was a meld of common goals, vision and development aims. "We are very pleased to be associated with Alan and the Sylvan Learning Centre here in Charlottetown, as well as the over 1200 Sylvan Learning Centres in the US and Canada."

The Atlantic 17 and Under championship features the top junior curlers in the four Atlantic provinces in the 17 and under age category, including several of the same teams who recently competed at the Canada Winter Games in Whitehorse.