Hayward hoping to end junior career in style

SHAELA Hayward isn’t getting ahead of herself.

Sure, the skip from Carman won the national U-18 women’s curling crown in 2024. And yes, most of the field from that event will be at the Canadian U-20 Curling Championships in Sudbury, Ont., from March 28-April 4.

But Hayward — who claimed her third consecutive Manitoba junior championship on Sunday in Morris by defeating Cassidy Dundas (Heather Curling Club) 6-5 — is quick to remind you that her past performance doesn’t guarantee her anything.

“You would think (we have lots of confidence), but the field is so, so tough and the teams only get better,” she said.

“And Canadian juniors is just such a different level than U-18. It definitely gives us confidence, but we have to work so hard that week and give it our all.”

The stakes are also much higher.

“If you win, you get to represent Canada (at worlds) and U-18 doesn’t have that,” said Hayward, 19, who punched her ticket to junior nationals with the victory over Dundas.

“In U-18, you’re still developing as a player, and by the end of your U-20s, you’re so much more experienced and you’re almost heading into women’s. It’s actually a pretty big gap. I mean, there are teams going this year that went to the Scotties this year.”

That would be Quebec’s Jolianne Fortin, who Hayward happened to beat two years ago in the U-18 final.

Hayward, who plays with third India Young, second Keira Krahn and lead Dayna Wahl, is trying to repeat that success at the junior level. She went 5-3 at the 2024 Canadian juniors before losing in the quarterfinals. Then in 2025, she took a bit of a step back by going 3-5.

“When we sat down at the start of the year, the Canadian juniors was the event we were looking forward to and we wanted to do everything we could to be a contender at the event and be there at the end of the week,” said Hayward.

“Step one is done by winning provincials, and we’re just excited to go there and see what we can do. It would mean the world to get the opportunity to represent your country. I can’t even describe what that would mean to us.”

This will be Hayward’s last shot before diving headfirst into the women’s ranks next season. She qualified for women’s provincials in 2024 and managed to go 3-2 but missed out on the playoffs on a tiebreaker.

“I want to curl as long as my body will let me. I have such big goals in this sport, and I know my team does, too,” said Hayward. “After juniors, I’ll be looking at trying to make the Scotties in the next couple years.”

BOUTET WINS MEN’S JUNIORS

Evan Boutet wasn’t expecting to add a second buffalo jacket to his closet this season.

After winning Manitoba’s U-18 provincials in Riverton in December, Boutet, third Luc Cormier, second Bryce Buchel and lead Quinn Lagace decided to throw their names in the hat at juniors in Morris with no expectations.

The result? Boutet went 4-3 in round-robin play, advanced to playoffs on a tiebreaker, and then took down Morden’s Nash Sugden 7-4 in Sunday’s men’s final in Morris.

They’ll be joining Team Hayward at the Canadian U-20 Championships in Sudbury. Sugden will also be making the trip as Manitoba #2 since the province has been granted two spots on the men’s side for nationals.

“I wasn’t expecting it, but here we are, and it feels great,” said Boutet.

“I thought we’d be making playoffs, but not winning the whole thing. I thought it would happen later on in my career, but starting off strong and starting early, it gives me more confidence for when I’m a little older.”

Two weeks ago, the 16-year-old skip out of the Heather went 3-3 at the U-18 Canadian Championships in Timmins, Ont., before losing in the opening round of playoffs.

Boutet, Cormier, Buchel and Lagace are in their first year curling together. While the future is bright, they’re realistic about what’s next.

“Our goal will mainly be to play our best and keep some close games and hopefully win a couple,” said Boutet. “And maybe a stretch goal would be making playoffs, but that’s a big stretch. I think we just go there, have some fun, get the experience and learn what it takes to win.”

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