Canadian curling fans can begin planning their viewing schedules now that TSN has announced the draws for the Pinty’s All Star Curling Skins Game at the Banff Fenlands Arena, Jan. 16-18.
Sochi gold medallists Brad Jacobs and Jennifer Jones will headline the event, which will feature a veritable who’s who of Canadian curling stars, including Glenn Howard, Kevin Koe, John Morris, Chelsea Carey, Rachel Homan and Val Sweeting.
The Pinty’s Skins Game will renew several old rivalries, including a rematch of the 2014 Scotties Tournament of Hearts final between Team Homan and Team Sweeting in the event’s opening night draw on Friday, Jan. 16 at 8 p.m.
Tim Horton’s 2014 Brier finalists John Morris will challenge national champ Kevin Koe and his new dream team in the second draw, at 11 a.m. on Jan. 17.
Sochi gold medallist Jones will face off against her former Manitoba rival Chelsea Carey in the third draw, and on Saturday night, Team Jacobs will take on his Ontario rival Howard in the last draw on Saturday, Jan. 17 at 9 p.m.
The finals are scheduled for Jan. 18, with the women’s draw beginning at 3 p.m., followed by the men’s draw at 8 p.m.
The made for television event will showcase the Banff Fenlands arena over three nights, as TSN has doubled its broadcast coverage from nine to 18 hours this year.
Tickets for the skins game will be available for purchase on Nov. 26 through The Banff Centre.
On the women’s side, this year’s dream teams include Team Carey: Chelsea Carey, Laura Crocker, Taylor McDonald, Jen Gates. Team Homan: Rachel Homan, Emma Miskew, Joanne Courtney, Lisa Weagle. Team Jones: Jennifer Jones, Kaitlyn Lawes, Jill Officer, Dawn Askin. Team Sweeting: Val Sweeting, Lori Olson-Johns, Dana Ferguson Rachel Brown.
For the men, teams include Team Howard: Glenn Howard, Richard Hart, Jon Mead, Craig Savill, Team Jacobs: Brad Jacobs, Ryan Fry E.J. Harnden, Ryan Harnden, Team Koe: Kevin Koe, Marc Kennedy, Brent Laing, Ben Hebert. Team Morris: John Morris, Patt Simmons, Carter Rycroft, Nolan Thiessen.
The Skins game will be broadcast on five TSN channels across the country.
