Welcome back, Cotter… but veteran B.C. skip knows Brier days numbered

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This article was published 06/03/2019 (2600 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

BRANDON — Jim Cotter understands and accepts that it’s just a matter of time before the student becomes the master.

The veteran skip has had his way in British Columbia for the better of a decade. He’s the owner of eight Purple Hearts, emblematic of curling supremacy in men’s provincial play and the ticket to the Canadian men’s curling championship.

But the powerhouse Tyler Tardi team out of Langley is just a year from aging out of juniors and jumping into the fray of men’s play on the West Coast. Cotter doesn’t coach the team but has been somewhat of a mentor to the two-time reigning world junior men’s champs, and he’s well aware they might just knock him off in a provincial final in the not-too-distant future.

“Yeah, definitely. Those are special kids. They are phenomenal players and real students of the game. They put every good forward and always striving to be better,” said the veteran skip from Vernon, B.C.

“B.C. gets a little bit of a knock for its talent. But there are actually a few really good, young teams on the ladies and the guys side. At our provincials, I was definitely one of the old guys out there, and that’s what you hope to see. It’s great to see B.C.’s got a strong future.”

The Tardi team won a record-setting third consecutive national junior crown in late January, downing Manitoba’s J.T. Ryan 7-5 in the championship game in Prince Albert, Sask.

Cotter said he’s offered them words of encouragement and tips on how to handle pressure-packed situations over the last few seasons.

“I can’t take any credit for what those guys have done. I just try and be there them, and all juniors, really. Anyone who has questions, I’m happy to answer them. I get along really well with that team and their families. It’s moreso being there for support, rooting them on,” he said.

Cotter made his Brier debut in 2008 and has made seven return trips, including the ’19 championship in western Manitoba. He’s flanked by the longtime, front-end duo of Tyrel Griffith and Rick Sawatsky, and newcomer Steve Laycock of Saskatoon, an import tossing third stones.

B.C. had posted a 4-2 round-robin record in Pool B play, prior to Wednesday’s evening draw and was in position for at least a tie-breaker to qualify for the championship round.

Just like so many other teams here this week, Cotter’s crew has been victimized by the Alberta’s Kevin Koe and two-time defending champion Brad Gushue of St. John’s, N.L., donning Team Canada colours. They were set to take on Scott McDonald of Ontario to complete the initial round robin.

Cotter never tires of the pomp and ceremony or the pressure of facing the country’s best.

“It was a dream to get here. As a kid, I threw thousands of rocks not only to get to the Brier but to put yourself into a position to win one, maybe one day. It’s something I always strive for,” he said. “You’re so excited to be here. Curling’s a mental game. If you’re not a little bit nervous before every game, you’re not human.

“But I’m going out before that (Alberta skip Kevin) Koe game (Tuesday afternoon) thinking, ‘Where else would you rather be than at a Brier in Manitoba?’ So, it’s still very special.”

While B.C., has, indeed, had some lean times at the Brier over the years, Cotter, 44, an information technology specialist for a health-care company, has been in the playoff mix a couple of times.

Five years ago — with John Morris throwing fourth stones — Cotter lost the 2013 Olympic Trials final to Brad Jacobs of Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., and then fell to Koe in the Brier final only three months later.

Over the passage of time, the ache of those defeats has diminished — replaced by a sense of accomplishment and contentment, he said.

“There’s no doubt those stung, real hard. But after some reflection with what we were able to do in such a short period of time — that team (with Morris, Griffith and Sawatsky) only came together a few months before the trials — you look at it as an accomplishment to play in the two biggest games in (Canadian) curling, where a lot of those teams played three or four years together,” said Cotter.

“I’m definitely very proud of that.”

 

jason.bell@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @WFPJasonBell