Alberta's Young Curling Stars Embrace Rising Expectations at Scotties Tournament
Youth and experience are converging for Alberta's top women's curling teams as they compete at the prestigious 2026 Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Mississauga, Ontario. Calgary's Kayla Skrlik and Edmonton's Selena Sturmay represent a new generation of curling talent that is rapidly gaining recognition on the national stage.
The Advantage of Time
Both skips acknowledge that while this may not be their year to claim the coveted national championship, they have a significant advantage that many of their competitors lack: time. At just 27 years old, Sturmay and her slightly older counterpart Skrlik have already made three appearances each at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts, an impressive achievement for athletes still in their twenties.
"We're still young on the national stage," explained Skrlik in the lead-up to the tournament. "So we're both still finding our way. I know I'm still finding my way through a national championship."
The tournament, which runs through next Sunday at the Paramount Fine Foods Centre in Mississauga, features formidable competition including curling stars Christina Black, Kerri Einarson, and Kaitlyn Lawes. Despite the challenging field, both Alberta skips view their relative youth as an asset rather than a limitation.
From Underdogs to Contenders
The transformation of these Alberta teams from relative unknowns to legitimate contenders has been remarkable. Just a few years ago, neither Skrlik nor Sturmay were household names in Canadian curling circles. Today, they represent Alberta's double-threat to capture the national title.
"It's funny, because we're definitely not underdogs anymore," said Sturmay, an Edmonton native. "We can't fly under the radar anymore. But I don't think that changes the way that we approach anything."
This shift in perception reflects their growing success and consistency on the national circuit. Both teams have demonstrated they can compete with the sport's established stars while maintaining the enthusiasm and learning mindset of newcomers.
Building Confidence Through Competition
The Sturmay rink, which includes third Danielle Schmiemann, second Dezaray Hawes, and lead Paige Papley, gained significant confidence from their performance at the Olympic trials several months ago. Representing the Saville Community Sports Centre, the team finished fourth with a 4-3 record, narrowly missing the playoffs by just a shot or two.
"After the trials, I think that's the most confident we've come out of any event," Schmiemann revealed. "And we said, 'We really like our chances with Scotties this year after that event, just how we were playing and how we've been gelling together.'"
This growing confidence has translated into a strong provincial performance, with both teams entering the national championship with momentum and belief in their abilities.
The Learning Curve Continues
Despite their rising profiles, both skips emphasize that they remain in a learning phase of their careers. Skrlik specifically noted the educational value of competing against curling's biggest names, even in the absence of some top competitors like Rachel Homan.
"The Scotties is huge," Skrlik acknowledged. "It's nice to still be young in the circuit on that level, and we're still learning a ton."
This combination of youth and experience creates a unique dynamic for the Alberta teams. They possess the tournament experience of veterans while maintaining the fresh perspective and energy of newcomers to the national stage.
Looking Ahead
As the tournament progresses through its ten-day schedule in the Greater Toronto Area, both Alberta teams are positioned to make significant noise. Their approach remains consistent regardless of their changing status within the sport—they continue to play with the determination and focus that brought them to this level.
The 2026 Scotties Tournament of Hearts represents another milestone in the development of these young curling stars. Whether they claim the championship this year or continue building toward future success, Skrlik and Sturmay have already established themselves as forces to be reckoned with in Canadian women's curling for years to come.
