Everist thrilled to compete at hometown Scotties again

THUNDER BAY – Three years ago, Karlee Everist got to live out a life-long dream, playing in the Scotties Tournament of Hearts in her hometown.

But something was missing, namely her friends and family in the stands.

For most of the week, Fort William Gardens was silenced, fans not allowed in the building due to COVID-19 restrictions in place at the time.

Fast forward to 2025 and Everist, the daughter of local golfing legend Trevor Jones, is getting a second chance.

As lead for Christina Black’s Team Nova Scotia, after two seasons playing second, Everist is back in Thunder Bay, her team 1-1 after Sunday morning’s 9-8 upset loss to Yukon’s Bayly Scoffin rink.

What an amazing feeling, said the 33-year-old, who moved to Halifax in 2013 for school, married fellow curler Bryce Everist and together in 2023 the couple welcomed their daughter into the world.

“It’s crazy. I had a lot of butterflies in that game,” Everist said, after Saturday’s 7-5 opening-game win over Ontario’s Danielle Inglis.

“It’s interesting. It’s my third Scotties. You can’t replicate it. I knew it was going to be amazing and you had those butterflies throughout the game and (I) was happy to be there and in the moment.”

Though Northern Ontario’s Krista McCarville is the unquestioned crowd favourite this week at the Gardens, Everist said Team Nova Scotia are getting plenty of love too, even against Team Ontario.

Just having people watching live and in person has made the early going of the tournament special, she said.

“It means everything. I’m happy for everyone to be able to experience it. I think everyone was so disappointed last time. It’s great for everybody. The players are excited, especially for those of us who were here in Thunder Bay before,” said Everist, who has also been the Canadian mixed doubles championship four times with her husband as her playing partner.  

“It was very desolate. This is just so electric. Everyone is so excited. It’s just the best.”

Everist, who skipped her own team for two seasons in Thunder Bay before heading to the East Coast, is playing a somewhat new, but not unfamilar position this year, throwing lead rocks for Black. She did play lead for three seasons from 2013 to 2016, but for the past six seasons, Everist was slotted in at second, the past five seasons with Black.

The arrival of Jill Brothers in 2024-25, following the retirement of Sheley Barker, meant it was time to switch things up.

Everist, named the most sportsmanlike player at the 2022 Scotties, said she just rolled with the flow.

“It’s been really good. Lead is really challenging, especially at this level. You have to pretty well make every shot because everyone is so good. It was just a matter of really committing to it and putting in the time to make sure that I was playing the best I could,” she said.

“I was in the house with Christina before, but now I’m sweeping her rocks, so I kind of have an idea of what she needs to hear, so it’s just a matter of adjusting to sweeping her rocks, but still feeling really comfortable that I get to be with her in those moments.”

Black, who brought Everist aboard in 2020, said Everist brings plenty of experience to the team.

“She’s had a ton of success at mixed doubles, so she’s always been fantastic at drawing. She’s just such a hard worker and wants to do well and be the best at whatever position she’s in,” Black said.

“She’s really owned lead for us and has been so key to our success this year, just setting up our ends and the energy she brings out there keeps us all fired up too. She’s so great to have on our team.”

Team Nova Scotia (1-1) is back on the ice on Sunday night against Manitoba’s Kaitlyn Lawes (1-1) .