Morris pulls pin on Martin rink

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This article was published 27/04/2013 (4789 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

CALGARY — John Morris had to make one of the toughest decisions of his curling career this past week.

After seven years of service as a third on Kevin Martin’s rink, Morris set up a conference call with his teammates this week to let them know of his decision to move on.

“I just think they were surprised that this happened right now. The good thing is I believe there’s been no animosity,” Morris said Friday at a media availability at the Glencoe Club. “There’s been no tension. We all realize this is in the best interest of everyone and it’s something that had to be done.

“All great things and all great teams come to an end. Unfortunately, it seemed like this team had just run its course.”

Morris, Martin, second Marc Kennedy and lead Ben Hebert won back-to-back Tim Hortons Brier titles in 2008 and 2009 and captured a world title as well in 2008. They also won Olympic gold at the 2010 Games in Vancouver.

“We’re four types of guys that are really competitive and have high expectations of ourselves and our team,” Morris said. “The first five seasons we were winning everything on the planet, gold medals at the Olympics and world championships and tour championships.”

That wasn’t the case this season though as the team struggled with mediocre performances at the Brier in Edmonton and at last week’s Players’ Championship in Toronto.

“The past couple seasons, especially this last season, I felt that we weren’t performing up to our capabilities,” Morris said. “I just felt it is in the best interest of our team if we brought someone new in there.

“I’ve always played with passion and drive and I felt, especially this last season, I was lacking some of that and as result my performance had declined a bit and I was no longer thriving.”

Martin weighed in on Morris’s departure during his media availability later in the day.

“I was surprised a little bit I guess,” Martin said from Edmonton. “But you know for our team, it has been seven years. For five of the years it’s pretty safe to say we were the best team in curling. But the last year and a half, we haven’t been.

“You get used to a certain level of play and when we haven’t been there, change is inevitable.”

Morris wanted to make the change sooner rather than later to allow Martin to find a replacement well in advance of the Canadian Curling Trials, which will take place from Dec. 1-8.

“I’m sure they’re moving forward,” said Morris, who helped Martin win the 2011 Canada Cup to qualify for the trials. “They’re probably thinking about who they’re going to get to play third next year. I’m sure whoever they get will be a real good change for them.”

Martin said he plans to begin the process of looking for a replacement in the coming days.

“Obviously right away there’s half a dozen players in Canada that are really, really good and can play at that level and I would be comfortable with,” he said. “But I haven’t had a chance to phone anybody yet. But that’ll happen next week, I’ll be able to get a hold of everybody.”

Walking away from one of only eight spots at the Tim Hortons Roar of the Rings was definitely a tough decision for Morris.

“I felt it wasn’t fair to the team to go through the motions next year and maybe finish fourth or fifth at the trials and not have a chance at the Olympics,” said Morris, who praised Martin, Kennedy and Hebert for being great teammates. “I’ve been lucky enough to play with one of the best skips in the game with Kevin and I’ve learnt a lot from him.

“I feel like I’ve been a better teammate over the last seven years than I have before. I learned a lot about my team and just felt privileged to play with some of the best teammates and curlers in Canada.”

— The Canadian Press