Northern Ontario still perfect!

Team Northern Ontario’s Mia Toner improves to 2-0 with win Monday afternoon at 2025 New Holland U-20s 

It’s not farfetched to expect Team Northern Ontario’s Mia Toner to be near the top of the heap at the 2025 New Holland Canadian U-20 Curling Championships this week. 

After all, Toner has already led her Sudbury, Ont., team – comprised of vice-skip Dayna Wahl, second Justine Toner, lead Samantha Digiglio and coach Lee Toner – to an unblemished 2-0 record at the Gerard “Turk” Gallant Arena and Silver Fox Entertainment Complex at Summerside, P.E.I. 

And after defeating Team Prince Edward Island #2’s Sydney Carver (0-1; Montague) 7-1 Monday afternoon to grab a share of Pool A’s peak, alongside Team Alberta #2’s Gracelyn Richard (2-0; Edmonton), it might be easy to let that confidence get the better of the team. 

But that’s simply not Team Northern Ontario’s style. It prefers a more measured, demure approach. 

“We’re always hoping for the best, but the competition is just so strong here,” said Toner. “Every shot can really change a game. We’re really grateful to be here, but it’s hard to predict these kinds of things.” 

That approach is a by-product of previous national experience, where Toner was the skip of Team Northern Ontario #2 at the 2024 New Holland Canadian U-21 Curling Championship at Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo, Alta., alongside current teammate and second Justine Toner. 

“Every opportunity I get to wear the Northern Ontario Jacket is always a good one,” said Toner. “It’s not our first rodeo here, for sure, but we love it. It feels so good every time. Just an honour to represent our province.” 

Monday afternoon’s game did have some skids, however. Both Team Northern Ontario and Team Prince Edward Island #2 struggled with draw weight and some breakpoints in line calls in the early goings. Ultimately, the Northern Credit Union Community Centre squadron would catch on to the conditions faster than the islanders, giving it the edge on the scoreboard. 

It’s all part of a learning process, according to Toner, which is meant to produce better results later in the week. 

“We’re still getting used to the ice,” said Toner. “It’s definitely different than last night for us. Just still taking our time, doing our thing, not getting into complicated ends. I think as the week progresses, we’re going to step into gear a little bit more quickly. We certainly got there by the end of the game.” 

And though the team is a new ensemble that debuted this season after adding Wahl and Digiglio, the chemistry amongst the four is one of the team’s strengths. 

“We’re gelling. We’re very much a unit,” said Toner. “We’ve known each other for a long time even though we haven’t played together as a four in the past. So, I think it really shows on the ice. We’re always having fun. We are supporting each other and we’re all just really good friends.” 

Team Northern Ontario will next face Team Manitoba #1’s Shaela Hayward (0-2; Carman) Tuesday at 9 a.m. (all times Atlantic). 

In other action Monday afternoon, Team Alberta #2’s Gracelyn Richards outlasted Team Québec #1’s Jolianne Fortin (1-1; Kénogami) 7-6. Team Ontario #2’s Katrina Frlan (1-1; Carp) earned its first win 8-5 over Team Manitoba #1’s Shaela Hayward while Team British Columbia’s Holly Hafeli (1-1; Kamloops) served up a 15-4 win over Team Northwest Territories’ Syndney Galusha (0-2; Yellowknife) and Team Nova Scotia #2’s Katherine Weissent (1-1; Halifax) doubled up Team Newfoundland and Labrador’s Cailey Locke (0-2; St. John’s) 10-5. 

Additionally, Team Québec #2 Anne-Sophie Gionest (1-0; Riverbend) downed host Team Prince Edward Island #1’s Sophie Blades (0-2; Cornwall/Summerside) 10-5 while Team Manitoba #2’s Cassidy Dundas (2-0; Winnipeg) bested Team Ontario #1’s Dominique Vivier (0-2; Navan) 9-5 and Team New Brunswick’s Melodie Forsythe (2-0; Fredericton) toppled Team Saskatchewan’s Ava Beausoleil (1-1; Saskatoon) 10-5. 

The 2025 New Holland Canadian U-20 Curling Championships resume Monday at 7 p.m. 

Select games will be streamed live on Curling Canada’s YouTube page found here.        

Live scores, standings, team rosters, schedule information and more can be found at the event website here.