Team Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia have a little home ice advantage at the Scotties in Thunder Bay, Ont.

Team Northern Ontario may have home ice advantage at the Fort William Gardens at the 2022 Scotties in Thunder Bay, Ont., but two other teams have players who also feel at home.

Team Nova Scotia's Karlee Everist, and Team Saskatchewan's Jenna Enge, who both play second on their respective teams, hail from northwestern Ontario.

Everist, who may be better known as Karlee Jones in Thunder Bay's curling circles, grew up in the city. Enge is from Fort Frances, but attended post-secondary school in Thunder Bay.

"Coming home, and just seeing so many familiar faces, so many people that are around the Gardens this week are the people that I grew up curling with," said Everist, who said she grew up curling at both the Port Arthur and Fort William clubs.

"It's been really good to still see people, feel lots of love, and it's been really cool that driving from the hotel down the streets that you're familiar with to go curl."

Everist said she was able to see her parents from a distance, and is sticking around for a few days after curling is finished to visit with family.

Playing in the Fort William Gardens reminds Everist of the event she attended 26 years ago, when she was only five, and hoped that while only some volunteers and select junior curlers will be allowed in the stands this weekend, that the event still serves as inspiration.

"I think about my experience as watching the Scotties at the Gardens in '96 and just growing up, had a great program at the Port Arthur Curling Club. These children need to be inspired, and what better way for them to watch the Scotties than in their hometown, right?" she said.

For Enge, she said felt at home as soon as she walked into the hotel and got a persian, the well-known Thunder Bay pastry.

"I