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October 29, 2015

Get to know the rinks represented at the 2016 Tim Hortons Brier

By Siniša Šindik

The chips are down, the table is set: we now know the 15 teams that are going to compete in the upcoming Tim Hortons Brier, which will run from March 5 to 13 at TD Place in Ottawa. This year’s field is one of the strongest ever to compete at the national championship, with four of the biggest names in Canadian curling attending the event. We’ll be breaking down the competition with three rinks every day leading up to the opening draw.

TEAM NUNAVUT

Team Nunavut - 2016 Brier
Their rink
Skip – Wade Kingdon, Third – Dennis Masson, Second – Aaron Fraser, Lead – Bruce Morgan, Alternate – Chris West

They are representing Iqaluit Curling Club after defeating Arthur Siksik’s rink to be eligible for the pre-qualifying tournament.

History at the Brier
This will be Nunavut’s first trip to the Brier.

Background
Wade Kingdon’s rink won the first ever Nunavut Brier Playdowns’ title to obtain their ticket for the pre-qualifying competition. The 2016’s Brier edition will be historical, as it will be the inaugural men’s championship for the territory, after they turned down an invitation in 2015. Under the new rules introduced by the Canadian Curling Association last year, Nunavut will have to play in a pre-qualifying tournament alongside Yukon, Nova Scotia and N.W.T. Only the winner will advance to the actual Brier competition.

TEAM YUKON

Team Yukon - 2016 Brier
Their rink
Skip – Bob Smallwood, Third – Jon Solberg, Second – Clint Abel, Lead – Scott Odian

Representing the Whitehorse Curling Club after defeating Matt Blandford’s team to be eligible for the Brier’s pre-qualifying tournament.

History at the Brier
Second year as a separate team. Historically, Northwest Territories and Yukon competed as a single entry until last year, as Yukon participated on his own but failed to qualify for the main draw.

Background
Bob Smallwood represented the Yukon/Northwest Territories at the Brier in 1994 and 1995 under the name of Robert Andrews. Two decades later years later – changing his name to Bob Smallwood in the meantime to honour his grandmother- he is returning to the men’s national curling championship, although he is not yet guaranteed a spot. Under the new rules introduced by the Canadian Curling Association last year, Yukon will have to play in a pre-qualifying tournament alongside Nova Scotia, N.W.T. and Nunavut. Only the winner will advance to the actual Brier competition.

TEAM NOVA SCOTIA

Team Nova Scotia - 2016 Brier
Their rink
Skip – Jamie Murphy, Third – Jordan Pinder, Second – Scott Saccary, Lead – Phil Crowell

They are representing The Mayflower Curling Club after defeating Chad Steven’s team to be eligible for the Brier’s pre-qualifying tournament.

History at the Brier
Three titles,three second place finishes, and six third place finishes.

Background
This will be Jamie Murphy’s third trip to the Brier. He won his first provincial championship in 2012 when his rink edged former Brier champion Mark Dacey’s foursome. This squad really emerged in 2010 when they lost in the semifinal of the Nova Scotia Men’s Provincial Championship. Murphy’s sister, Jeanette is also an effective curler, as she experienced the Scotties Tournament of Hearts twice. Under the new rules introduced by the Canadian Curling Association last year, Nova Scotia will have to play in a pre-qualifying tournament alongside Yukon, N.W.T. and Nunavut. Only the winner will advance to the actual Brier competition.


TEAM QUEBEC

Team Quebec - 2016 Brier
Their rink
Skip – Jamie Murphy, Third – Jordan Pinder, Second – Scott Saccary, Lead – Phil Crowell

They are representing The Mayflower Curling Club after defeating Chad Steven’s team to be eligible for the Brier’s pre-qualifying tournament.

History at the Brier
Three titles,three second place finishes, and six third place finishes.

Background
This will be Jamie Murphy’s third trip to the Brier. He won his first provincial championship in 2012 when his rink edged former Brier champion Mark Dacey’s foursome. This squad really emerged in 2010 when they lost in the semifinal of the Nova Scotia Men’s Provincial Championship. Murphy’s sister, Jeanette is also an effective curler, as she experienced the Scotties Tournament of Hearts twice. Under the new rules introduced by the Canadian Curling Association last year, Nova Scotia will have to play in a pre-qualifying tournament alongside Yukon, N.W.T. and Nunavut. Only the winner will advance to the actual Brier competition.

TEAM NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR

Team NFLD/LB - 2016 Brier
Their rink
Skip – Brad Gushue, Third – Mark Nichols, Second – Brett Gallant, Lead – Geoff Walker

They are representing the Bally Haly Golf & Curling Club after defeating Colin Thomas’ rink in a battle of St-John’s teams to qualify.

History at the Brier
One title, One second place and two third place finishes.

Background
With Glenn Howard, Newfoundland and Labrador’s skip Brad Gushue is one of the most experienced and decorated curler at this year’s Brier. Gushue will be making his 13th appearance at the national championship and his 10th-straight. The 35-year-old St-John’s-born had his biggest career achievement in 2006 when he seized the gold medal at the Turin’s Winter Olympic Games. He has yet to capture the title at the Brier’s competition having a silver medal in 2007 as his best result.

TEAM NORTHWEST TERRITORIES

Team NWT - 2016 Brier
Their rink
Skip – Jamie Koe, Third – Chris Schille, Second – Brad Chorostkowski, Lead – Robert Borden

They are representing The Yellowknife Curling Centre club. They defeated Greg Skauge’s rink in a battle of Yellowknife teams to be eligible for the Brier’s pre-qualifying tournament.

History at the Brier
Only the second year as an individual team. Historically, Northwest Territories and Yukon competed as a single entry. That changed last year, when they lost their 11 matches.

Background
Jamie is Kevin Koe’s younger brother and twin brother of Territories women’s champion Kerry Galusha. He will be participating in his 10th Brier this year, having represented the Northwest Territories/Yukon team for his first eight appearances before skiping for Northwest Territories last year. In 2012, he became the first skip from Canada’s north to reach the playoffs at the national championship since they changed the format in 1980. Under the new rules introduced by the Canadian Curling Association last year, N.W.T will have to play in a pre-qualifying tournament alongside Nova Scotia, Yukon and Nunavut. Only the winner will advance to the actual Brier competition.


TEAM PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

Team PEI - 2016 Brier
Their rink
Skip – Adam Casey, Third – David Mathers, Second – Anson Carmody, Lead – Robbie Doherty

They are representing The Silver Fox and Charlottetown clubs after defeating Jamie Newson’s team to qualify.

History at the Brier
Two third place finishes.

Background
Casey’s rink had a flawless record in this year’s P.E.I Tankard, winning all six of their games. The 2016 Brier will be Casey’s fifth consecutive appearance at the championship, second as a skip. He got his first ticket to the Brier in 2012 with Brad Gushue’s rink, where he served as second. After the 2014’s competition he created his own foursome and won the provincial title the next year.

TEAM NEW BRUNSWICK

Team New Brunswick - 2016 Brier
Their rink
Skip – Mike Kennedy, Third – Scott Jones, Second – Marc LeCocq, Lead – Jamie Brannen

They are representing The Grand Falls Curling Club after defeating Terry Odishaw’s team in battle of Moncton teams to qualify.

History at the Brier
Only the second year as an individual team. Historically, Northwest Territories and Yukon competed as a single entry. That changed last year, when they lost their 11 matches.

Background
Mike Kenney will be participating in his fifth national championship, capturing his fifth Purple Heart when he triumphed 9-2 at the Pepsi Tankard in Rothesay. Over the course of his career, Kennedy won the 2013 Canadian Senior Men’s title as Wayne Tallon’s vice-skip and he also captured the gold at the 2014 World Seniors.

TEAM NORTHERN ONTARIO

Team Northern Ontario - 2016 Brier
Their rink
Skip – Brad Jacobs, Third – Ryan Fry, Second – E.J. Harnden, Lead – Ryan Harnden

They are representing Community First Curling Club after defeating Jordan Chandler’s team to win the Northern Ontario Travelers Championship and qualify.

History at the Brier
Five titles, six second place and 11 third place finishes.

Background
Brad Jacobs (8th Brier appearance) is back at the Brier for a second consecutive year. He is the current men’s Olympic champion skip, as he captured the gold medal at the 2014 Winter Olympics. According to the Canadian Team Ranking System, he sits in 7th place. His team is known as the “fitness freaks” because of their passion for staying in shape. In his early career as a third, Jacobs used to play for his uncle Al Harnden and in 2008 he formed his own team with his cousins E. J. Harnden and Ryan Harnden. Jacobs won the Brier in 2013.


TEAM ONTARIO

Team Ontario - 2016 Brier
Their rink
Skip – Glenn Howard, Vice: Richard Hart, Second: Adam Spencer, Lead: Scott Howard, Fifth: Joey Hart, Coach: Wayne Middaugh

Representing St. George’s Golf and Country Club after defeating John Epping’s team from Toronto to qualify.

History at the Brier
10 titles, 18 second place and 12 third place finishes.

Background
Glenn Howard (16th Brier appearance) needs no introduction. With four world championships, four Briers and 15 Ontario provincial championships, he is one of the most decorated curlers of all time. The 2016 Brier will have something special in store for him though, as Howard will be competing for the title alongside his 25-year-old son, Scott Howard, who will be serving as his lead. The foursome qualified for this year’s Brier in dramatic fashion with an incredible last-shot, 6-5 win. Once again this year, at 53, he will be the oldest skip out there. He won his last Brier in 2012, in Saskatoon.

TEAM SASKATCHEWAN

Team Sask - 2016 Brier
Their rink
Skip – Steve Laycock, Vice – Kirk Muyres, Second – Colton Flasch, Lead – Dallan Muyres

Representing the Nutana Curling Club after defeating Shawn Meachem’s group at the Sask-Tel Tankard
to qualify.

History at the Brier
Seven titles, 15 second place and 16 third place finishes.

Background
This will be Steve Laycock’s (6th Brier appearance) third-consecutive Brier. Last year he led his province to a 6-5 record, barely missing the playoffs. His breakout year came in 2007 when, after unsuccessfully trying to skip his team to the provincial men’s championship from 2004 to 2006, he was finally crowned champion with Pat Simmons as his lead. His best performance at the Brier is a bronze medal, which he won last year. He will try to lead Saskatchewan to his first national championship since 1980.

TEAM MANITOBA

Team Manitoba - 2016 Brier
Their rink
Skip – Mike McEwen, Third – B.J. Neufeld, Second – Matt Wozniak, Lead – Denni Neufeld

Representing the Fort Rouge Curling Club after defeating Matt Dunstone’s rink in an all-Winnipeg final to qualify.

History at the Brier
27 titles, 14 second place and 14 third place finishes.

Background
Mike McEwen, third on the Canadian Team Ranking System, ended his long drought at the Manitoba finals when he clinched his first career Purple Heart. Prior to this year’s qualification, the Winnipeg-born skip had lost five of the last six Manitoba finals. But in his latest attempt, McEwen got the edge over the Canadian junior men’s champion Matt Dunstone to close out the tournament with a perfect record.


TEAM ALBERTA

2016 Brier - Team Alberta
Their rink
Skip – Kevin Koe, Third – Marc Kennedy, Second – Brent Laing, Lead – Ben Hebert

Representing The Glencoe Club, defeated the team of Charley Thomas, also from the Glencoe Club, to qualify.

History at the Brier
26 titles, 18 second place finishes, 8 third place finishes

Background
The two-time Brier champion Kevin Koe (5th Brier appearance) is making his third-straight appearance at the competition. Originally from Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Koe moved to Calgary and started skipping for Alberta in the early 2000s. In 2010, appearing in his first Brier, he became the first “rookie” to win the hardware, even though he was 35 at the time, since Vic Peters accomplished the feat in 1992. His younger brother, Jamie Koe will also be at the Brier, as skip for the Northwest Territories. Kevin Koe sits second on the Canadian Team Ranking System, Kevin Koe.

TEAM BRITISH COLUMBIA

2016 Brier - Team BC
Their rink
Skip – Jim Cotter, Third – Ryan Kuhn, Second – Tyrel Griffith, Lead – Rick Sawatsky

Representing the Vernon and Kelowna clubs after defeating Sean Geall of New Westminster to qualify.

History at the Brier
Four titles, 13 second place finishes, 14 third place finishes

Background
Jim Cotter (6th Brier appearance) hails from Vernon, British Columbia, and currently sits 11th on the Canadian Team Ranking System. After his junior curling years, he joined forces with two-time world champion Pat Ryan, serving as a fourth. The team qualified for the 2005 Canadian Olympic Curling Trials, barely missing the playoffs. Cotter made his first Brier appearance in 2008 as fourth to skip Bob Ursel. Cotter officially became their permanent skip for the 2011-12 season.

TEAM CANADA

2016 Brier - Team Canada
Their rink
Skip – Pat Simmons, Third – John Morris, Second – Carter Rycroft, Lead – Nolan Thiessen, Alternate – Thomas Sallows

They are the defending champions from the last year’s Tim Hortons Brier and defeated Northern Ontario in final.

History at the Brier
It was the first time in Brier history that Canada came out on top at the tournament.

Background
Pat Simmons (9th Brier appearance) is a two two-time defending champion. The skip was born in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan and he represented his province in four straight Briers (2005 to 2008, and 2011) and represented Alberta twice at the same competition. In 2015, Simmons began as vice, with John Morris as skip. With a 2-3 record to begin the tournament, the foursome switched things up with Simmons taking over as skip, a move that worked wonders as the team went on to capture the Brier. Also on board is John Morris (Eight Brier appearances), a 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic gold medalist. He is from Winnipeg, Manitoba, but grew up in Ottawa and played at the Navy Curling Club.


About the 2016 Tim Hortons Brier

The Tim Horton’s Brier has been the marquee men’s national curling event since its inception in 1927. Considered by most curlers as the world’s premier championship for the sport, the 2016 edition of the Brier runs March 5-13 at The Arena at TD Place.

This year’s tournament features an impressive field that has been the talk of the curling world for months, with 15 teams representing each Canadian province and territory competing, as well as Team Canada, skipped by Pat Simmons. This year will also mark Nunavut’s first entry at the Brier.

Full event passes, mini-packs, and individual draw tickets are available now by clicking here.