A capsule look at the 14-team men’s field for the Home Hardware Curling Pre-Trials

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 24/10/2021 (1792 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A capsule look at the 14 men’s teams entered in the March 25-31 Home Hardware Curling Pre-Trials at the Queens Place Emera Centre in Liverpool, N.S. (team members listed skip to lead with home club location).

TEAM CALVERT

Braden Calvert, Kyle Kurz, Ian McMillan, Rob Gordon; Winnipeg.

The 2015 world junior champion skip leads one of four Manitoba-based men’s teams in the field. Went 6-5 at 2014 world juniors before beating Switzerland’s Yannick Schwaller in the final the following year.

TEAM FERRIS

Pat Ferris, Ian Dickie, Connor Duhaime, Zack Shurtlef; Grimsby, Ont.

It’s the pre-trials debut for this foursome skipped by Ferris, who turns 46 on Thursday. Shurtlef helped Humber College win gold at the national college playdowns in 2016 with skip Bob Meijer.

TEAM FLASCH

Colton Flasch, Catlin Schneider, Kevin Marsh, Daniel Marsh; Saskatoon.

The chance to play for an Olympic berth on home ice in Saskatoon is a mighty carrot for the Nutana Curling Club foursome. Flasch won a world silver medal with Kevin Koe in 2019.

TEAM FLEMMING

Paul Flemming, Scott Saccary, Ryan Abraham, Philip Crowell; Halifax.

Looking for his first trials appearance since 2005, Flemming will be a fan favourite as the lone Nova Scotia men’s entry in Liverpool. He skipped the province to Canadian mixed team titles in 1999 and 2003.

TEAM FOURNIER

Michael Fournier, Martin Crête, Félix Asselin, Jean-François Trépanier; Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Que.

Asselin throws last stone while Fournier has second rock. Crete made pre-trials appearances in 2009 and 2013 playing third for Jean-Michel Menard.

TEAM GRASSIE

Sean Grassie, Tyler Drews, Daryl Evans, Rodney Legault; Winnipeg.

Qualified for Liverpool by winning the B final at last month’s direct-entry event in Ottawa. Grassie won bronze at the 2009 world mixed doubles championship with Allison Nimik.

TEAM GUNNLAUGSON

Jason Gunnlaugson, Adam Casey, Matt Wozniak, Connor Njegovan; Morris, Man.

Gunnlaugson has represented Manitoba at the Tim Hortons Brier the last two years. He qualified for the 2009 trials via the pre-trials but went winless in Edmonton.

TEAM HARTY

Jeremy Harty, Kyler Kleibrink, Josh Kiist, Kurtis Goller; Calgary.

One of the top young teams in the country, Harty’s side was the top-ranked rink on the Alberta Tour last season. They’re coached by Kleibrink’s mother, Shannon, who skipped Canada to a bronze medal at the 2006 Olympics in Turin, Italy.

TEAM HORGAN

Tanner Horgan, Jon Beuk, Wes Forget, Scott Chadwick; Kingston, Ont.

Horgan, a 23-year-old skip, is making his event debut. His teammates have more experience in elite men’s events, including a 6-5 showing at the 2019 Tim Hortons Brier with skip Scott McDonald.

TEAM HOWARD

Glenn Howard, Scott Howard, David Mathers, Tim March; Penetanguishene, Ont.

Four-time world champion Howard — who turns 60 in July — is ranked third in the country. Glenn Howard coached Eve Muirhead’s Scottish team at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games and is looking for his first Olympic appearance as a player.

TEAM ROBERGE

Vincent Roberge, Jean-Michel Arsenault, Jesse Mullen, Julien Tremblay; Saint-Romuald, Que.

Booked their Liverpool ticket by winning the A final at last month’s Ottawa qualifier. Alternate Francois Roberge won a Brier title in 2006 as vice for Jean-Michel Menard.

TEAM SIMMONS

Pat Simmons, Colton Lott, Kyle Doering, Tanner Lott; Winnipeg Beach, Man.

A two-time Brier champion, the 46-year-old Simmons is back to lead a young team in their mid-to-late 20s. Simmons is CurlSask’s high-performance director.

TEAM STURMAY

Karsten Sturmay, Tristan Steinke, Christopher Kennedy, Glenn Venance; Edmonton.

Sturmay skipped the University of Alberta Golden Bears to a U Sports title in 2018. He won a silver medal at the world university games a year later.

TEAM TARDI

Tyler Tardi, Sterling Middleton, Jason Ginter, Jordan Tardi; Langley, B.C.

A two-time world junior champ, Tardi won gold at the 2016 Youth Olympic Games. His brother throws first stones and father, Paul Tardi, handles coaching duties.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 24, 2021.

Follow @GregoryStrongCP on Twitter.