WATERLOO, Ont. (January 14, 2021) - Megan Smith, a fifth-year member of the Laurier Golden Hawks women's curling team, will be representing Northern Ontario at this year's Scotties Tournament of Hearts as a member of Team Krysta Burns. 

Smith, who plays vice for Team Burns, and her teammates were selected to represent Northern Ontario after the provincial championships were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Team Burns finished as runners up at the 2020 provincials and after the champions, Team McCarville declined, the invitation, Smith and her teammates jumped at the opportunity.

“It is a dream come true to be able to attend the Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Calgary this year,” said Smith, who missed out on competing for the Golden Hawks this year after the cancellation of the 2020-21 university sport season. “Attending the Scotties has been a dream of mine since I started curling when I was a child. Having the opportunity to compete against some of the best teams in the world is an experience of a lifetime that I am very grateful for."

Smith, along with skip Krysta Burns and second Sara Guy, have enjoyed plenty of success as a trio in their young curling careers. They were the bronze medalists at the 2017 Canadian Junior Championships before going on to shine for the Laurentian Voyageurs, winning gold at both the 2017 and 2019 U SPORTS Championships.

This year's Scotties event will be hosted in a bubble format in Calgary. The team will be required to quarantine for two weeks before flying to Calgary and produce a negative COVID-19 test before leaving. Upon arrival, all team members will have to test negative once again before being allowed to enter the bubble, which includes both the hotel where the competitors will be staying, as well as the arena. All athletes will be required to be tested once again a few days into the event.

The 2021 Scotties Tournament of Hearts gets underway on February 20 at the Markin MacPhail Centre and will conclude with the championship match on February 28.