All 16 teams have been determined for the 2020 Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. On Friday, Canadian Olympic gold medalist Jennifer Jones of Winnipeg, Manitoba filled out the field with an 8-7 win over Tracy Fleury of Winnipeg, Manitoba in the wildcard game.
Jones is now participating in her 15th Scotties Tournament of Hearts. She previously competed in 2002, 2005-2013, 2015, 2016, 2018-2020. Jones also has won the Canadian National Women’s Curling Championship six times–in 2005, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2015 and 2018. In 2008 and 2018 Jones also helped Canada win gold at the Women’s World Curling Championship. Jones led Canada to a gold medal in women’s curling at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi.
The Jones win over Fleury on Friday could also be considered a minor upset. That is because Fleury currently leads the Canadian Team Ranking System in points this season with 404.325 points. However, despite being ranked number one, Fleury’s team will not be part of the Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Moose Jaw this week.
Even though Fleury is absent, there are some very formidable names participating. Chelsea Carey of Calgary is representing Team Canada after winning the 2019 Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Sydney, Nova Scotia. Ontario’s representative is 2017 world champion Rachel Homan of Ottawa. Manitoba’s Kerri Einarson, the 2019 Players’ champion needs to be considered a serious threat, especially with Val Sweeting of Edmonton as her third. Other contenders include Alberta’s Laura Walker, Saskatchewan’s Robyn Silvernagle, Nova Scotia’s Mary-Anne Arsenault and Northern Ontario’s Krista McCarville.
