Nova Scotia’s Stevens impressing early in rookie skipping appearance at Scotties

Team Nova Scotia skip Taylour Stevens yells while competing against Team Northwest Territories during the Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Mississauga, Ont., on Jan. 27, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

MISSISSAUGA — When Christina Black pre-qualified for a spot in the Scotties Tournament of Hearts, it opened the door for a second Nova Scotia team to enter the field.

Former Canadian junior champion Taylour Stevens took advantage of the opportunity and has shown she belongs at the national women’s curling championship.

Stevens posted a 10-4 win over Nicky Kaufman of the Northwest Territories on Tuesday afternoon to improve to 3-2 in round-robin play at Paramount Fine Foods Centre.

“We just need to keep our heads in the moment as much as possible and keep on rolling,” she said.

The Nova Scotia champions opened with victories over Quebec’s Jolianne Fortin and Saskatchewan’s Jolene Campbell before falling to Pool A leader Kaitlyn Lawes of Manitoba and Canada’s Kerri Einarson.

British Columbia’s Taylor Reese-Hansen and Yukon’s Bayly Scoffin are next up on the schedule before a round-robin finale against Ontario’s Hailey Armstrong on Thursday, a game that could decide who makes the cut in the group.

Stevens and Armstrong were tied for third place after 11 draws of play. The top three teams in each nine-team pool will make the playoffs.

“So proud of how the team has played so far and I can’t wait to keep going,” Stevens said.

Members of Black’s team wished their fellow Nova Scotians well when their paths crossed Monday as the evening draw ended and a late-night practice session was set to begin.

Black, who reached the final of the Montana’s Canadian Curling Trials before falling to Rachel Homan, is on a five-player team with Jill Brothers, Jennifer Baxter, Karlee Everist and Marlee Powers. Both Nova Scotia teams represent the Halifax Curling Club.

“They’ve been great role models for us,” Stevens said.

Stevens and her crew of Maria Fitzgerald, Alison Umlah and Cate Fitzgerald have looked like veterans at times even though they’re new to this stage.

They’re not afraid to be aggressive and put pressure on their opponents. Stevens’ draw weight has been on point most of the week and the team has done well to set her up nicely.

“Their work ethic is very strong, they try new things and they’re just a great team,” said coach Kevin Ouellette.

At 25, Stevens is the oldest member of the team. She’s the lone player with a taste of Scotties experience thanks to an alternate role with Heather Smith’s side in 2024.

“Just to be able to experience that atmosphere and the loudness of the crowd to have that experience going into this week has definitely helped me a lot to stay focused,” Stevens said. “I know how to block that sound out and kind of dive into it when I need to for a little extra momentum.”

Stevens ran the table to win a Canadian junior title in 2022. She took bronze at the national juniors two years earlier.

“From their junior years, they just keep building up and building up their experience,” Ouellette said. “Now we get to show it at this level and they’re doing a great job so far.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 27, 2026.

Gregory Strong, The Canadian Press