Stoughton has a simple message for his team: We’re here to win

By: Tim Campbell Posted: 3:00 AM CST Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2015

BRANDON -- He's got a new team and his results this season have been mixed, but defending champion Jeff Stoughton had a clear message for his rivals Tuesday on the eve of the 2015 Safeway Championship.

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This article was published 04/02/2015 (4184 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

BRANDON — He’s got a new team and his results this season have been mixed, but defending champion Jeff Stoughton had a clear message for his rivals Tuesday on the eve of the 2015 Safeway Championship.

He’s not here just putting in time.

“I’m not here just for s–ts and giggles,” Stoughton said, asked how much he’s pushing third Rob Fowler, second Alex Forrest and lead Connor Njegovan. “We’re here to win this thing and that’s what we’re trying to exude to these guys, that I feel when you come to provincial playdowns, your expectations are very high and you want to win.

Colin Corneau/Brandon Sun
Jeff Stoughton may have won 11 Manitoba titles, but don't think for a moment he's not here to win, he said. — Colin Corneau/Brandon Sun Jeff Stoughton may have won 11 Manitoba titles, but don't think for a moment he's not here to win, he said.

“That’s what we want to make sure these guys understand, that it’s not just to perform well, that it’s to be in that final and give your best for that final.”

Stoughton is gunning for a 12th provincial title.

“That’s the ultimate goal,” he said. “Let’s not kid ourselves here. The ultimate goal is to win your provincial championships and go to the Brier. That defines everyone’s year. That’s what I love about this time of year. February, I get excited. The rest of the year is getting ready for this.”

The 51-year-old defending champ, though, admitted yesterday he won’t carry on forever.

“It all depends on how I feel and when I feel I want to call it quits,” he said. “Like I said, I’m never going to say I’m retiring or quitting the game. I always want to be involved either as a coach or doing stuff in the media. And if anyone ever called and I could do it, then I would do it.

“But it’ll be on my own terms when I want to call it. Could be the end of this year, could be the end of next year, who knows? I’m lucky I feel pretty good still. So I’ll take it.”

Stoughton has had top-seeded Mike McEwen’s number in this championship, ousting him in four of the last five years. But the defending champ was gracious about McEwen’s season so far, one that made McEwen the obvious choice as the top seed for this event.

“They’ve had a great year,” Stoughton said.

Stoughton was reminded he’s still the defending champ.

“Yeah but it’s a different team and a young team,” he said. “And that’s OK. Mike more than deserves all the accolades and credit he’s getting right now because of his outstanding year.

“But everything right now is still defined by provincial championships and Brier. And until you get one, it’s still something missing on your resumé. This could be his year. You don’t know.

“They’ve had a wonderful year but there are 31 other teams that want to take him down. And he is definitely the No. 1 team.”

tim.campbell@freepress.mb.ca