Canadian men’s and women’s curling teams named for PyeongChang 2018
OTTAWA (December 11, 2017) — The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) and Curling Canada officially announced the eight athletes and four coaches nominated to represent Team Canada in men’s and women’s curling at the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018.
The two teams were selected based on their wins at the 2017 Canadian Curling Trials held at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON.
The athletes and coaches nominated include:
Men’s:
| Name | Position | Residence |
| Kevin Koe | Skip | Calgary, AB |
| Marc Kennedy | Third | St Albert, AB |
| Brent Laing | Second | Shanty Bay, ON |
| Ben Hebert | Lead | Chestermere, AB |
| Rick Lang | National Men’s Team Coach | Thunder Bay, ON |
| John Dunn | Team Koe Coach | Edmonton, AB |
Women’s:
| Name | Position | Residence |
| Rachel Homan | Skip | Ottawa, ON |
| Emma Miskew | Third | Ottawa, ON |
| Joanne Courtney | Second | Edmonton, AB |
| Lisa Weagle | Lead | Ottawa, ON |
| Elaine Dagg-Jackson | National Women’s Team Coach | Victoria, BC |
| Adam Kingsbury | Team Homan Coach | Ottawa, ON |
DOWNLOAD: High-resolution team photos
The teams’ alternate players will be nominated at a later date.
Rachel Homan led teams to a World Championship title in 2017 and three National Championship victories. Kevin Koe skipped teams to gold at the 2010 and 2016 World Curling Championships and has won the National Championship three times.
The two teams will compete at the World Financial Group Continental Cup, Jan. 11-14 in London, Ont., before making their way to PyeongChang, South Korea.
Since curling returned to the Olympic program at Nagano 1998, Canada has dominated the sport with 10 medals, getting onto the podium in every men’s and women’s event, including double gold at Sochi 2014.
The PyeongChang 2018 men’s and women’s curling tournaments will take place at the Gangneung Curling Centre from February 14 to 25 (Days 5-16).
The mixed doubles curling team will be nominated following the Canadian Mixed Doubles Curling Trials, January 2-7, 2018 in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba.
QUOTES:
“The curlers nominated today reflect Canada’s strong tradition in the sport and I look forward to cheering them on. I wish them the best as they enter the final stage of their preparation. I know they will make us proud.”
– Isabelle Charest, PyeongChang 2018 Team Canada Chef de Mission
“We could not be more thrilled to have this opportunity to represent our sport and our country at PyeongChang 2018. We know there is pressure attached to representing Canada in any international curling competition, but we look forward to embracing that challenge in PyeongChang.”
– Rachel Homan, PyeongChang 2018 nominated athlete
“This is a dream come true, to be able to curl at the Olympic Winter Games and continue Canada’s tradition of excellence. We know that wearing a maple leaf at a curling event is like wearing a target, but with the support of our country’s amazing curling fans, as well as being part of the Canadian Olympic Team with such a talented group of athletes, we feel like we will be prepared for anything when we arrive in PyeongChang.”
– Kevin Koe, PyeongChang 2018 nominated athlete
“What a great week of curling competition we just had in our nation’s capital. We are pleased to announce our Team Canada athletes for curling at the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games. Fresh off their Roar of the Rings Canadian Curling Trials wins, these teams are ready to bring home another gold for their country. Get to know these athletes so you can cheer them on during their journey!”
– The Honourable Kent Hehr, Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities
Prior to being named to Team Canada, all nominations are subject to approval by the COC’s Team Selection Committee following its receipt of nominations by all National Sport Federations in late January 2018.
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MEDIA CONTACTS:
Al Cameron, Director, Communications and Media Relations
Curling Canada
Tel: 403-463-5500
Email: acameron@curling.ca
Josh Su, Coordinator, Communications
Canadian Olympic Committee
Tel: 416-324-4303 / Cell: 647-464-4060
Email: jsu@olympic.ca
Photi Sotiropoulos, Director, Communications and Media Relations
Canadian Olympic Committee
Tel: 416-324-4298 / Cell: 416-476-9174
Email: psotiropoulos@olympic.ca