Did you Know?

• This will be the 16th annual OVCA Junior Superspiel.

• Year one the Champions won $1,000, now they get $2,500!

• 12 men's and 4 women's teams played in our event its first year.

• 2006 Canadian Brier Champ and World Silver Medalist, Jean-Michel Ménard, played in the SuperSpiel in 1995 and won the consolation event.

• Four World Jr. Women’s Champions have played in our event: Silvana Tirinzoni of Switzerland in 1999; Matilda Mattsson of Sweden in 2000; Suzanne Gaudet of Canada in 2001 and Tania Grivel of Switzerland in 2005.

• Four World Jr. Men’s Champs have played in our event: Rolph Stoëckli of Switzerland in 1997, John Morris of Canada in 1998 and 1999 and Brad Gushue of Canada in 2001.

• Ottawa’s John Morris and Craig Savill are two time World Junior Champions. They won the SuperSpiel in 1997.Since moving up with the big guys they have each won Canadian and World Championships, Savill with Glenn Howard in 2007 and Morris with Kevin Martin in 2008. They played in the SuperSpiel for 5 consecutive years, 1994 -1998!

• 2006 Olympic Gold Medallist Brad Gushue played in the Superspiel in 1999, qualifying and then losing to NB's Tom Girvan.

• Ottawa’s Jenn Hanna, who was Canadian Jr. runner-up in 1998 as well as Canadian Ladies runner-up in 2005, won the SuperSpiel in 1998. She played in this event for 7 consecutive years from 1994 to 2000!

• Marie France Larouche, Canadian Junior Champion in 1999 and Canadian Ladies runner-up in 2004 played in this event 5 times from 1994 to1997 and in  1999.

• Tyler Morgan,  Jamie Farnell  and Matt Broder are the only three time winners in SuperSpiel history: Morgan in 1999,2000 and 2001. Farnell and Broder in 2000, 2001 and 2002.

• Women's teams won the SuperSpiel 4 times in the 13 years it was an integrated event.  Dominique Lascelles in 1994, Jenn Hanna in 1998, Laura Payne in 2004 and Rachel Homan in 2006, the last year the event was integrated. All are OVCA teams. Rachel Homan and her third Emma Miskew, will be making their record 9th and final appearance in the Superspiel this year in 2009. 

• Canadian Champion Vic Peters' son Daley played in our event in 2001 and 2004.

• World Champion Ed Werenich's sons, Ryan and Darren, both played in 1994 and 1995 and Ryan continued to play in 1996 and 1997.

• World and Olympic Champion Russ Howard’s son Steve played in our event in 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004. Glenn Howard's son Scott played in 2008

• Rick Lang's daughter Sarah played in our event in 2008, Rick was the team coach.

• The “Ménard curling factory” from next door Gatineau in La Belle Province, has put teams in our event for 11 out of our 15 year existence!! Nicholas played in 1994, 1996 and 1997, Canadian Brier Champ Jean-Michel played in 1995, Martin played in 1997, 1999 and 2001. Catherine played in 2000 and 2002. Phillippe played in 2002,2003, 2005 and  2006. Merci and congratulations to coach/father Robert Ménard!

History
In the early 90's, the Ottawa region was fortunate to have a number of strong and enthusiastic junior curling programs underway at various clubs throughout the Valley.  Organizers of these programs agreed there was a need for something to give these up-and-coming junior teams the opportunity to prepare for higher levels of competitive play.

Earle Morris was the driving force behind the concept of organizing a junior cash spiel that would improve the level of junior curling in the Valley while appealing to teams all over Eastern Canada.  He and Bob Hanna approached the Ottawa Valley Curling Association (OVCA) for financial support and the OVCA Junior Superspiel was born. Since its inception in 1994, the Superspiel has continued to grow in size and stature to become a truly international bonspiel. Teams from all across Canada and from as far away as Switzerland, Sweden, and the USA have traveled to Ottawa to participate in this event.

For many up and coming junior men’s and women’s teams across the Ottawa region, the chance to participate in a qualifying event that earns them the right to compete against the world’s best, is an opportunity to be seized.  Each year, the SuperSpiel hosts a qualifying event for OVCA teams.  Since 2007, when we established separate Men's and Women's championships, local men’s and women’s teams have fiercely competed for the three spots available to each into the main event.  Interestingly enough, the winner of the 2003 SuperSpiel, Mike McLean and Laura Payne, winner in 2004, were both OVCA teams that earned their right to participate in this event through the qualifier.

2008 marked the 15th year that the SuperSpiel has provided a showcase for some of the best junior curling teams in the world.  The women's winner, Kaitlyn Lawes from Manitoba went on to beat Rachel Homan's team in the 2009 Canadian Junior final.

From the outset, the SuperSpiel has proved a stepping stone for many of these highly skilled teams in their quest for national and possibly, world titles.  During the last ten years, seven teams that competed in this event went on to win eight World Junior Championships!

In addition, several Canadian Junior Champions, U.S National Junior Champions and numerous provincial championship teams have come to the SuperSpiel over the years to test their skills against the world's best. The excellent competition and camaraderie demonstrated by these young athletes each year sends everyone home a winner.

Each year interest in the SuperSpiel grows among teams across Canada, the United States and Europe. Although the event can now accommodate 32 teams, the demand remains unsatisfied.  The growth in interest and the calibre of the teams bodes well for junior curling and for those that enjoy watching this wonderful game for years to come.