The 22-year-old skip who claimed the Viterra Scotties title this year is stepping back from the sport to focus on her schooling.
Skylar Ackerman, who curls out of the Nutana Curling Club in Saskatoon, will be taking a break from competitive curling in order to further her education in the health-care field, her team announced on social media Tuesday.
“We know she will make an incredible impact, in whichever path she chooses, for her future patients,” Ackerman Curling wrote on Instagram.
“Anyone who knows Skylar knows she is one of the most compassionate and caring people to ever exist and we are excited to see where life takes her.”
Despite missing the playoffs at the 2024 Scotties Tournament of Hearts, Ackerman set a record as the youngest curler to represent Saskatchewan on the women’s national stage.
While she won’t be entering any bonspiels, the team said Ackerman will still be playing for fun and cheering on former teammates Ashley Thevenot, Taylor Stremick and Kaylin Skinner from the stands.
Her teammates said they’ll miss Ackerman’s dedication and her “constant dad jokes,” but will keep building on the success they saw this year.
“The rest of the team is excited to keep building and growing off what we’ve accomplished so far,” the team wrote. “One game out of playoffs at our first Scotties has left us hungry for more, and we can’t wait for the season ahead.”
Jamie Nye, host of the Green Zone on CKOM and CJME, said Ackerman will be successful no matter what her future holds.
“Skylar has a bright future away from the game and, if the time comes again, in the game as well,” Nye wrote on social media.
Skylar has a bright future away from the game and, if the time comes again, in the game as well. https://t.co/W4qSO4c4gr
— Jamie Nye (@jamienye) March 26, 2024