Manitoba's curling team, led by skip Kelsey Calvert and third Beth Peterson, has gone unbeaten at the 2026 Scotties Tournament of Hearts following a key lineup change. The adjustment, made in November for the team's greater good, boosted their chemistry and secured a Manitoba provincial title. Now in Mississauga, Ontario, they stand at 7-0 and are poised for playoffs.
At the 2026 Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Mississauga, Ontario, Manitoba's Team Peterson has emerged as a playoff contender after a significant mid-season lineup shift. In November, then-skip Beth Peterson swapped positions with third Kelsey Calvert, moving to third while Calvert took over as skip. This change, made for “the greater good” of the team, helped them win the Manitoba championship and qualify for the national event at the Paramount Fine Foods Centre. The 31-year-old Peterson, from Winnipeg’s Assiniboine Memorial Curling Club, admitted the decision was daunting. “I was scared to make the decision,” she said. “I wasn’t scared to play third — I was just scared to make that decision. And then once I just said, ‘OK, we’re doing it,’ I was like, ‘Hey, let’s just buy in.’ And that’s, I think, been the secret for this team.” The team, including second Katherine Remilliard, lead Melissa Gordon-Kurz, and coach Jill Officer, credits the shuffle with revitalizing their dynamics. “It’s not just a shot-making thing,” Peterson explained. “Honestly, it’s the chemistry that’s really clicking for us now. We were just lagging a little bit, for whatever reason. And so having this change has kind of brought life back to the team.” Their unbeaten 7-0 record came after a 10-4 victory over Northwest Territories’ Julia Weagle on Thursday morning. They will finish first, second, or third in Pool B, depending on results against Alberta’s Selena Sturmay (6-1) and other games involving Nova Scotia’s Christina Black (6-1) and Alberta’s Kayla Skrlik (4-3). The top two teams get two chances in Friday’s qualifying round, while third place has one. Calvert, a two-time Canadian and world junior champion from 2014 and 2015, joined the team in 2023 after struggling as Alberta skip. “Lots of years skipping at a high level and maybe just not quite breaking through was tough,” she said. “This is the first time I’ve got to Scotties.” Peterson related to Calvert’s experience, noting ongoing discussions about positions over three seasons. “I just kind of lost confidence and almost a little bit of the enjoyment of the game,” Peterson said. Calvert added that returning to skip felt natural and supportive from teammates. The change has positioned them for a potential national title and a shot at representing Canada at the world championships.