Strategic lineup changes have injected new energy into Team Kaitlyn Lawes as the Winnipeg curling squad prepares for their most critical challenge of the season: securing Canada's women's Olympic berth at the 2025 Montana's Canadian Curling Trials presented by Connect Hearing in Halifax.
Seeking a Breakthrough Through Change
After experiencing disappointment in recent major competitions, the decorated Manitoba rink made significant adjustments to their lineup during last season's Scotties Tournament of Hearts. The most notable change saw Kaitlyn Lawes move back to the third position while Selena Njegovan stepped into the fourth rock throwing role.
"We've been a little bit disappointed with our results over the last few years," Lawes confirmed, acknowledging the team's struggles on curling's biggest stages. "So we made big changes, and it's been really exciting for us to have a little bit of different energy."
Early Success with New Configuration
The roster adjustments have yielded positive results for the Heather Curling Club representatives. Since implementing the changes, Team Lawes—featuring Lawes, Njegovan, second Jocelyn Peterman, and lead Kristin Gordon—has compiled an impressive 18-11 record during the 2025-26 season.
This strong start provides optimism as the team heads to Halifax for the Olympic trials beginning Saturday. The Winnipeg foursome spent the summer training intensively on the ice, focusing on maximizing their new dynamic.
Embracing New Challenges
For Lawes, the positional switch represents a return to her curling roots. "For me, it was just kind of going back to my roots of sweeping," she explained. "We feel like we've been close and have been working really hard. So we're just hoping that switch can help us going forward."
The team's official trials roster lists Lawes throwing skip rocks while Njegovan delivers third stones and maintains skip duties—a configuration that demonstrates their flexibility and willingness to adapt for success.
"I think it'd be more concerning if we continue to do the same thing and hope for different results, right?" Lawes noted. "For us, it's all exciting. I love new challenges. And I think it's just how you approach it and what your perspective is. So I'm not concerned at all."
Team Lawes enters the Halifax showcase with confidence, prepared to make whatever additional adjustments necessary to earn the right to represent Canada at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Games in February.
