What Is 2017 Canadian Olympic Curling Trials

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2017 Canadian Olympic Curling Trials, officially called the 2017 Tim Hortons Roar of the Rings, were held from December 2–10, 2017, in Ottawa, Ontario, to determine Canada’s men’s and women’s curling teams for the 2018 Winter Olympics.

Key Facts

The 2017 Canadian Olympic Curling Trials took place from December 2–10, 2017
Host city was Ottawa, Ontario, at the Canadian Tire Centre
15 teams competed in both men's and women's divisions
Rachel Homan won the women's title, Kevin Koe won the men's
Winners qualified to represent Canada at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics

Overview

The 2017 Canadian Olympic Curling Trials, officially branded as the 2017 Tim Hortons Roar of the Rings, served as the official selection event to determine which Canadian curling teams would represent the nation at the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea. Held from December 2 to 10, 2017, the tournament brought together the country’s top-ranked men’s and women’s teams in a high-stakes round-robin and playoff format.

Hosted at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, Ontario, the event drew large crowds and significant national television coverage. Organized by Curling Canada, the trials followed a rigorous qualification system based on past performance, national rankings, and pre-trials berths, ensuring only the most competitive teams participated.

Location: The event took place at the Canadian Tire Centre, a 20,000-seat arena primarily known as the home of the Ottawa Senators, which was adapted for curling with two dedicated sheets of ice.
Format: Both the men’s and women’s divisions featured 15 teams divided into two pools, playing a round-robin followed by playoffs, culminating in a final on December 9 (women) and December 10 (men).
Winners: Team Rachel Homan claimed the women’s title with a 8–3 victory over Team Jennifer Jones in the final, securing their Olympic berth.
Men’s Champion: Team Kevin Koe defeated Team Brad Gushue 4–2 in the final, earning the right to represent Canada in the men’s curling event at the Olympics.
Significance: The trials are held every four years, making this a pivotal event for athletes aiming to compete on the Olympic stage, with selection based on peak performance under intense pressure.

How It Works

The Olympic Curling Trials use a structured qualification and competition process to ensure fairness and competitiveness. Teams earn entry through a mix of national rankings, past championships, and performance in pre-trials events.

Qualification Path: Teams qualified based on a points system from the 2015–2017 seasons, with additional spots awarded through the 2017 Pre-Trials event held in October.
Pre-Trials Tournament: Eight teams competed in the Pre-Trials in Morris, Manitoba, with the top two—Kevin Koe and Tracy Fleury—earning entry into the main Trials.
Pool Play: The 15 teams in each division were split into two pools (A and B), playing a round-robin within their pool to determine playoff seeding.
Playoff Structure: The top four teams from each pool advanced to a championship round, followed by semifinals and gold-medal games to determine the Olympic representatives.
Seeding Rules: Teams were seeded based on their Canadian Team Ranking System (CTRS) points, ensuring higher-ranked teams had a more favorable path.
Alternate Format: The event used the hammer system (last-rock advantage), standard timing, and World Curling Federation rules to mirror Olympic conditions.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the top teams and results from the 2017 Canadian Olympic Curling Trials:

Team	Curler (Skip)	Division	Final Result	2018 Olympic Result
Team Homan	Rachel Homan	Women	Champions	6th Place
Team Jones	Jennifer Jones	Women	Runners-up	Did not qualify
Team Koe	Kevin Koe	Men	Champions	6th Place
Team Gushue	Brad Gushue	Men	Runners-up	Bronze Medal
Team Epping	John Epping	Men	5th Place	Did not qualify

The table highlights how winning the Trials did not guarantee Olympic success—while both Homan and Koe won national titles, only Gushue medaled in PyeongChang. This underscores the competitive depth in Canadian curling and the challenges of peak performance across events.

Why It Matters

The 2017 Trials were a critical milestone in Canadian winter sports, shaping the nation’s Olympic curling representation and spotlighting elite athletic achievement. The event reinforced Canada’s dominance in curling while exposing the fine margins between victory and near-miss outcomes.

National Pride: Winning the Trials is considered nearly as prestigious as an Olympic medal, given the depth of talent in Canadian curling.
Media Impact: The event was broadcast nationally on TSN, reaching millions and boosting curling’s visibility in non-traditional markets.
Athlete Exposure: Success in the Trials led to increased sponsorship opportunities and public appearances for top teams like Homan and Koe.
Development Pathway: The Trials structure encourages younger teams to invest in long-term development to qualify in future cycles.
Olympic Preparation: The format simulates Olympic conditions, helping teams adapt to pressure, travel, and media demands.
Legacy: The 2017 event helped solidify Ottawa as a major winter sports host and influenced future Trials planning, including the 2021 edition in Saskatoon.

Ultimately, the 2017 Canadian Olympic Curling Trials were more than just a qualifier—they were a celebration of skill, strategy, and national excellence in one of Canada’s most beloved sports.