What Is 2015 Scotties Tournament of Hearts

Overview

The 2015 Scotties Tournament of Hearts was the annual Canadian women's curling championship, sanctioned by Curling Canada. It brought together top women's teams from across the country to compete for the national title and the right to represent Canada at the World Women's Curling Championship.

Hosted in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, the event marked the 34th consecutive year of sponsorship by Scotties, making it one of the longest-running national sports championships in Canada. The tournament followed a round-robin format followed by playoffs, culminating in a final match that drew national television coverage.

• February 14–22, 2015: The tournament spanned nine days, beginning with opening draws on Valentine’s Day and concluding with the championship final on February 22.
• Mosaic Place: The event was held at this 5,500-seat arena in Moose Jaw, which underwent special ice preparation to meet national curling standards.
• 14 competing teams: Each province and territory sent one representative, along with Team Canada, which was awarded to the defending champions due to a new qualification format.
• Jennifer Jones as skip: Representing Team Canada, Jones led her Manitoba-based rink to victory, securing her fourth national women’s title.
• Chelsea Carey’s Alberta: In her first Scotties final, Carey led Alberta to a strong performance, finishing as runner-up after a 8–6 loss in the championship game.

How It Works

The Scotties Tournament of Hearts uses a structured format combining round-robin play with a championship pool and playoff rounds to determine the national champion. Teams earn qualification through provincial and territorial playdowns, while Team Canada receives an automatic berth if the previous year’s winner is from Canada.

• Round-Robin Phase:All 14 teams played each other once in a modified pool format; the top eight advanced to the championship pool based on win-loss records.
• Championship Pool:The top eight teams played another round-robin to determine seeding for the playoffs, ensuring teams faced strong opponents multiple times.
• Playoff Structure:The top four teams after the championship pool advanced to a Page playoff system, where 1v2 and 3v4 games determined semifinal matchups.
• Team Canada Berth:Introduced in 2015, this automatic entry allowed defending champions to bypass provincial playdowns, a controversial but strategic change.
• Provincial Representation:Each province and territory held its own championship to determine who would represent them at the national event, except for Team Canada.
• World Championship Qualification:The winning team earned the right to represent Canada at the 2015 Ford World Women’s Curling Championship in Sapporo, Japan.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the top five teams in the 2015 Scotties Tournament of Hearts based on final standings and performance metrics.

This table highlights how consistent performance in the round-robin and championship pools determined playoff success. Team Canada’s only loss came to Alberta during the round-robin, but they rebounded to win the final, demonstrating resilience under pressure. The close records among top teams underscore the competitive balance in Canadian women’s curling.

Why It Matters

The 2015 Scotties Tournament of Hearts had lasting implications for Canadian curling, both in terms of athlete recognition and structural changes to the sport. Its outcome influenced team selections for international events and sparked discussions about fairness in qualification systems.

• Boosted Jennifer Jones’ legacy:Her fourth title solidified her status as one of the greatest female curlers in Canadian history.
• Highlighted emerging talent:Chelsea Carey’s runner-up finish signaled the rise of a new generation of competitive skips.
• Validated Team Canada rule:The new berth system was tested successfully, though it drew criticism from provincial teams unable to defend titles.
• Increased viewership:TSN broadcast ratings rose by 12% compared to 2014, reflecting growing interest in women’s curling.
• Boosted Moose Jaw’s profile:The city hosted over 40,000 attendees, providing economic benefits and tourism exposure.
• Set stage for world success:Team Canada won bronze at the 2015 Worlds, maintaining Canada’s podium presence.

The 2015 tournament remains a pivotal moment in women’s curling, combining tradition with innovation and showcasing elite athletic performance on a national stage.