Carruthers calls it a career

One of Manitoba’s most decorated curlers is hanging up his sliding crutch.

Reid Carruthers, a nine-time provincial champion, announced on social media Wednesday that he is retiring after 20-plus years in competitive curling.

“It’s the point in time where I have to think about my future and spending time with my son. The past few years have been tough, and he’ll be four soon. Being away, I found it very difficult. Most parents who have to travel (for work) would understand where I’m coming from that it’s not the easiest,” the 41-year-old told the Free Press. He and his wife Jodi became parents to Bo in May 2022.

“And for me, as I look at the sport, it’s becoming more and more professional and you have to be able to put 100 per cent of your time and commitment into it. And where I am in my career and age, that doesn’t quite line up.”

There were signs that this was going to be his last hurrah. Carruthers announced in the summer that his team, featuring third BJ Neufeld, second Catlin Schnieder and lead Connor Njegovan, was not going to pursue the Canadian Curling Trials in Halifax. It was decided they’d play a limited schedule instead so he could prioritize coaching duties with Team Kerri Einarson.

“He’s been one of the best for many years, has won lots and achieved so much in his curling career. It’s going to be sad not seeing him out there curling,” said Einarson, who won this year’s Scotties Tournament of Hearts with the help of Carruthers.

“He’s done so much for our sport, and he’s given back to youth curling with his curling camps he’s put on over the years, and even helped me with a few curling camps, too. He’s one of the best technical and strategy coaches I’ve worked with, and I’m just honoured to have been able to have that opportunity with him.”

Carruthers had won three out of the last four Manitoba titles before coming up short earlier this month at provincials in Selkirk, where they were upset 10-5 in the Page 3/4 Qualifier by Carberry’s Kelly Marnoch.

“I obviously thought about (retirement) leading into the provincials and I tried to mentally prepare myself the best that I could for it. But it was just one of those things where as a whole, as a team, it wasn’t our best performance. There’s lots of shots that I’d like back,” he said.

“But at the end of it when it was over, I sat back on the bench and was chatting with coach Rob (Meakin) for a bit and he knew, and I knew. And yeah, some tears were in the eyes, but at the end of the day, I can hold my head high and what else can I ask for?”

The timing of his retirement is rather poetic considering he will be inducted into the Manitoba Curling Hall of Fame as an individual in May. His hall-of-fame resume features 13 Brier appearances, with none more memorable than 2011 when he won while playing second for Jeff Stoughton.

A Manitoba foursome hasn’t won men’s nationals since, and they capped off that year in style by winning the world championship in Regina.

“From a highlight standpoint, for sure (that’s my fondest memory). But to be totally honest, some of the best moments that I’ve had have been being able to travel to places like Japan with three of your best friends to play a sport. Or you know, even going to Korea, or Switzerland,” said Carruthers, who captured the 2018 Karuizawa International in Japan, an annual event that’s been won by fellow Canadian greats like Jennifer Jones, Brad Gushue and Kevin Koe over the years.

“Getting to travel is something I’ve always loved and getting to play a sport while doing so is the ultimate (dream).”

Carruthers claimed the Canadian Mixed Doubles Championship in 2017 with Joanne Courtney before the duo earned silver at the World Mixed Doubles Curling in Lethbridge, Alta. He also won the first two editions of the PointsBet Invitational (2022-23) and is a two-time Grand Slam winner (The National in 2013 with Stoughton, and the Champions Cup in 2016 as a skip).

“I want my legacy to be ‘Hey, he was a pretty good curler, but he also cared about the sport and growing the sport,’” said Carruthers.

“As you can tell over the years, I’ve done hundreds of clinics and things like that. Curling has given so much to me that I wanted to give back, and I feel like I’ve done a good job of that.”

Carruthers recently started a job with a longtime sponsor of his, Princess Auto, and will coach Einarson at the upcoming World Women’s Curling Championship in Calgary (March 14-22). He’s not closing the door on coaching, sparing or playing in the odd bonspiel.

“My term with (Team Einarson) is technically done at the end of this year. Will I continue coaching these ladies? I’m not sure yet. There’s lots of decisions to be made in the coming months. I’m kind of open to anything.”

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