Nicole Baldwin is stocking up for another shot at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts.

The Yukon women’s skip – fresh off an appearance at the Canadian Mixed Curling Championship – has picked up Victoria curler Steph Jackson-Baier for a run at the 2016 Scotties.

Jackson-Baier, a federal government employee in the British Columbia capital, has previously represented B.C. at the national junior championships as well as the Scotties.

“I’m really excited about this opportunity,” the 29-year-old said yesterday at the Whitehorse Curling Club, where her new team finished fourth at the local cash spiel.

“Our goal is to represent Yukon at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts.”

The 2016 Scotties will take place Feb. 20 to 28 in Grand Prairie, Alta.

Jackson-Baier said she’s known of Baldwin and second Ladene Shaw for years after competing against them at juniors a decade ago.

Rhonda Horte will play lead for the new-look squad.

Former teammate Helen Strong was unavailable to the team this season due to prior commitments.

“We’ve always been looking for a chance to play together and finally it’s worked out.”

Jackson-Baier – a new mom of a five-month-old son named Ben – found herself without a curling team this year after injuries decimated her squad.

She believes the new ruling to allow one out-of-area curler to compete for elite teams is good for the sport.

“It’s hard to get a full competitive team together, no matter where you’re from,” Jackson-Baier said. “This creates a more competitive environment, and that’s a good thing for curling.”

Baldwin, 35, is hoping to return to the Scotties for the first time since 2007, when she spared for Yellowknife’s Kerry Galusha.

“Scotties is the top of the curling peak,” said Baldwin. “It’s always been my goal to make it there and be the one representing the Yukon. ... It would be a very proud moment for me.”

While the entry deadline for the Yukon Scotties playdowns doesn’t close until Dec. 22, Team Baldwin is widely expected to go uncontested for the territorial berth.

Sarah Koltun’s rink, who represented Yukon at the last two national championships, is taking the season off, coach Lindsay Moldowan confirmed in an email to the Star.

Last year, Koltun entered the Scotties relegation uncontested, a season after besting Baldwin and Galusha to earn the honour.