Moose Jaw’s Skylar Ackerman will be making history when she hits the ice for the Scotties Tournament of Hearts later in February. 

According to Curl Sask, Ackerman, at the age of 22, will be the youngest curler to ever represent Saskatchewan at the national Scotties Tournament of Hearts. 

Ackerman achieved this goal last week when her foursome from the Nutana Curling Club in Saskatoon won the Viterra Provincial Scotties. 

“I don’t know if it’s ever going to kick in. It’s been such a dream of ours since we were little kids, so finally having it come to fruition is unreal for us,” Ackerman said. 

Joining Ackerman is lead Kaylin Skinner, second Taylor Stremick and third Ashley Thevenot. 

This is the first year the four women have curled together. Ackerman, Skinner and Stremick curled together last year and Thevenot joined the team this season. 

“The season started a little slower than we expected early in August-September, but as the season progressed, we got those wins, and we just kept building and then had our peak right at provincials,” said Ackerman. 

Ackerman will now face some of the top women curlers in the country including past Olympic champions and world champions. She’s hoping her youth will give them an advantage. 

“That’s sometimes an advantage because we like to have fun and just stay in the moment. I think we play loose and have fun and we all play better that way as well,” she said. 

At the provincial Scotties, Ackerman finished at the top of Pool B after the round-robin with a record of 4-1. Her lone loss came at the hands of defending champion Robyn Silvernagle. 

In the page playoffs, Ackerman defeated Nancy Martin’s Martensville rink 7-6 for a berth in the championship final. 

Ackerman met Martin again in the final and defeated her 10-9 in an extra end to win the provincial title. 

Other former provincial champions that were competing included Sherry Anderson Michelle Englot, Amber Holland and Moose Jaw’s Penny Barker. 

The Scotties Tournament of Hearts takes place Feb. 16 to 25 in Calgary.

-With files from Shane Clausing/980CJME