What Is 2017 Scotties Tournament of Hearts

Overview

The 2017 Scotties Tournament of Hearts was the Canadian women's national curling championship, marking the 36th edition of the event. Held from February 18 to 26, 2017, it brought together the top provincial and territorial women's curling teams to compete for the national title and the right to represent Canada at the World Women's Curling Championship.

Hosted at the Meridian Centre in St. Catharines, Ontario, the tournament featured 16 teams from across Canada, including Team Canada, which was awarded to the previous year’s champion. The event was organized by Curling Canada and sponsored by Scotties, a long-time supporter of women's curling in the country.

• February 18–26, 2017: These were the official dates of the tournament, spanning nine days of round-robin and playoff action.
• Meridian Centre: This 5,300-seat arena in St. Catharines served as the primary venue, marking the first time the city hosted the Scotties.
• Rachel Homan: Representing Ontario, she captured her first national title after previously finishing as runner-up in 2013 and 2015.
• 8–6 Final Score: In the championship game, Homan defeated four-time champion Jennifer Jones of Manitoba to claim the title.
• Team Canada: The previous year’s winner, Chelsea Carey of Manitoba, represented Team Canada but did not advance past the round-robin stage.

How It Works

The Scotties Tournament of Hearts follows a structured format combining round-robin play with a championship pool and playoff rounds to determine the national champion. Teams qualify by winning their respective provincial or territorial championships, with additional entries for the defending champion and, occasionally, a wild-card team.

• Round-Robin Format: All 16 teams played each other once in a single round-robin pool, with the top six advancing to the championship pool.
• Championship Pool: The top six teams from the initial round played additional games to determine seeding for the playoffs.
• Playoff Structure: The top four teams from the combined standings moved into the Page Playoff system, featuring semifinal and final matches.
• Page Playoff System: The 1st vs. 2nd place teams played in the Page 1v2 game, with the winner advancing directly to the final.
• Team Canada Berth: The reigning national champion receives an automatic berth, ensuring the titleholder defends their crown the following year.
• World Championship Berth: The winner earns the right to represent Canada at the 2017 World Women's Curling Championship in Beijing, China.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the top teams performed in the 2017 Scotties Tournament of Hearts:

The table illustrates the dominance of Ontario and Manitoba throughout the event, with both teams posting strong records. Homan’s team was particularly consistent, losing only one game during the round-robin and championship pools, while Jones remained a formidable opponent until the final.

Why It Matters

The 2017 Scotties Tournament of Hearts was a pivotal moment in Canadian women’s curling, highlighting both emerging talent and established excellence. Rachel Homan’s victory signaled a generational shift in the sport, as she claimed her first national title after years of near-misses.

• Generational Shift: Homan’s win marked the rise of a younger generation, ending Jennifer Jones’ long-standing dominance.
• National Representation: As champions, Team Ontario represented Canada at the 2017 World Women's Curling Championship.
• Media Exposure: The event was broadcast nationally on TSN, increasing visibility for women's curling across the country.
• Legacy Building: Homan joined an elite group of skips who have won the Scotties and gone on to world success.
• Grassroots Impact: Hosting in St. Catharines boosted local interest and inspired youth participation in curling.
• Historical Context: The 2017 tournament was the first Scotties held in Ontario since 2011, reinforcing regional rotation in event planning.

The 2017 Scotties Tournament of Hearts not only crowned a new champion but also reinforced the competitive depth and national appeal of women's curling in Canada.