Gregory Strong Skip Brendan Bottcher celebrates his victory over Team Koe in the men's final of the Humpty's Champions Cup in Saskatoon, Sask., on April 28, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Matt Smith January 17, 2021 - 10:06 AM Never has so little curling action created so many headlines ahead of the national championships. With many teams, clubs and provincial playdowns on ice due to the pandemic, several curling associations have had to get creative in this most unusual season. Curling Canada is no exception. The national federation added two more wild-card teams to the field at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts and Tim Hortons Brier to create 18-team competitions.