Posted: Feb 17, 2022

2022 Curling Championship Preview

The Storyline

Humber curling will kick off the 2022 championship season Feb. 18 at Community First Curling Centre in Sault Ste. Marie.

Unusual Circumstances

With the shortened season, the Hawks will jump right into competitive play, competing for provincial titles in men's, women's, and mixed doubles disciplines.

2020 Conference Championships

Last season, the Hawks narrowly missed the triple crown, winning gold in men's and women's in Peterborough. The mixed doubles squads finished on the podium, as well, earning silver and bronze medals. Kaitlyn Jones, Zack Shurtleff and Brendan Jackson were all named championships MVPs.

At the helm

Head coach Sean Turriff returns for his second official season as head skipper of the curling program. Coach Turriff and the Hawks captured two CCAA silver medals and two OCAA provincial titles during the 2019-20 season. Former Ontario Junior Champion Megan Balsdon and alumna Brittany Elson will help Coach Turriff on the ice as assistant coaches.

Familiar names

2020 Humber Athlete of the Year Zack Shurtleff returns for his final season as the skip for the men's team. The leader and veteran of the club will be leaned upon once again as the Hawks seek to capture the program's fourth provincial title.

Matthew Garner brings his experience back to the ice in his fourth season for the Hawks.

Be on the lookout

Austin Snyder and Jacob Dobson will be making their debuts for Humber curling. Their junior experience should complement Zack and Matt well throughout the championship.

Despite being all brand new to Humber curling, the women's squad is stacked with junior experience and has come together as an extremely cohesive unit. Keep an eye on the front end Jessica Byers and Emma Rebel to set up ends and the game very effectively. The back-end pair of Meaghan Mallett and Daniela Aucoin work extremely well together and should build off of what the front end gives them.

Quote from the Coach

"I'm really proud of this entire group. They are likely the hardest working group I've ever seen at Humber curling. They are constantly in High-Performance Centre and on the ice as much as possible. They are all extremely excited to be able to represent the school at OCAA's and I'm proud to have the opportunity to be their coach."