Jolene Campbell, Team Saskatchewan will play first Scotties match today

Jolene Campbell is aiming to bring the Scotties Tournament of Hearts trophy back to the land of living skies.

Campbell and her Regina-based rink will get things underway at the Canadian Women’s Curling Championship today at 6 p.m. as they kick off their tournament in Mississauga, Ont. against the Taylour Stevens rink out of Nova Scotia.

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Campbell’s rink curls out of the Highland Curling Club and consists of Robyn Silvernagle at third, second Rachel Big Eagle and lead Dayna Demmans, with Callan Hamon at the alternate spot. Another Highland rink will compete for the national title on the men’s side, as Kelly Knapp will play at the Montana’s Brier.

Silvernagle was quite the addition for the rink, as she has been to the Scotties before as a skip of her own rink three times.

Campbell told the Green Zone last week that once her other third had moved away, it was a no-brainer to try to add Silvernagle.

“I kind of said to Dana ‘Do you think Robyn would play?’ They’ve been friends forever. They curled together a lot. We just reached out to her. She was pretty pumped to get back to Saskatchewan and was interested in taking a shot at playing third and then found out she’s really enjoying not having to throw that last one,” Campbell said.

“It’s so great to have another skip with that kind of experience. We’re very like-minded out there, and it just was like a really natural fit for both of us. She definitely helps me be at my best. I feel like this was probably the best season I’ve played in in a while.”

The last time Saskatchewan won the Scotties was back in 2011 when Amber Holland’s rink emerged victorious. Campbell was the alternate on that team.

It’s not the first time Campbell has been to the Scotties as a skip, as she previously led her team there in 2016. She was also there in 2022 as a member of Chelsea Carey’s wildcard rink.

“This one’s so good. I went the first three as an alternate, and they were awesome with Amber’s team. They were kind of like family. Those were really neat experiences and then to win (the provincials) in 2016 as the first one is amazing,” Campbell said.

“In 2022, we lost the (provincial) final, so that’s just a bummer. It’s just been a long haul. We’ve been so close so many times. I think, since 2016, I’ve lost the final a couple of times and been in the semi and been right in the mix, so I feel like it’s really nice to get back.

“You kind of start to think maybe you’re not going to get back. I might be the oldest competitor there, actually, so when you’re getting to that point, every season could kind of be the last one.”

The team will play eight round-robin games, with playoffs beginning on Jan. 30.

Campbell admitted it would be special to get a chance to wear the Canadian colours once again.

“We think it’s attainable. We’re putting all the work in and we know what it takes,” Campbell said.

“It’s going to be really difficult, but I’ve seen it done. I’ve been part of a great team that did it. It would be the coolest thing to have the maple leaf back on.”

Saskatchewan’s schedule is (all Saskatchewan times):