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Curling

The broom of second Shannon Birchard sweeps in front of a rock from skip Kerri Einarson as they play Team Newfoundland and Labrador at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Calgary, Alta., Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Curling Canada looks to turn Olympic buzz into new brooms on the ice

Donna Spencer, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025

The largest audience for curling happens every four years, but in a window when Canadian clubs are four to five weeks from closing for the season.

Curling Canada is urging clubs across the country to capitalize on the Olympic bump with a "Grow The Game" campaign.

The organization hopes that the 2026 Olympic Games in Milan and Cortina, Italy, which run Feb. 6-23, will get more people wanting to try the sport at that time.

Hosting Olympic curling watch parties or open houses, or learn to curl sessions, while people are feeling the buzz of watching the sport at its highest level, are some suggested options.

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Westman Superleague of Curling returns

Massimo De Luca-Taronno 5 minute read Preview

Westman Superleague of Curling returns

Massimo De Luca-Taronno 5 minute read Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025

The Taylor Jackson Financial Westman Superleague of Curling is once again underway.

Westman’s cream of the crop curling league kicks off action this evening at the Brandon Curling Club and will mark 49 years since the league was established in 1976.

Acting president and league member Cale Dunbar said he’s more than eager to throw the stones again.

“We’re all looking forward to getting started,” said Dunbar, who’s played in the league for more than 20 seasons and has helped manage it for 10. “It’s always exciting when everybody comes in and things start falling into place.”

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Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025

Team Irwin’s Travis Brooks, Travis Gouldie, Travis Taylor and Steve Irwin pose with Shawn Taylor of Taylor Jackson Financial Services after receiving the trophy as Westman Super League of Curling Champions. (Brandon Sun files)
Team Irwin’s Travis Brooks, Travis Gouldie, Travis Taylor and Steve Irwin pose with Shawn Taylor of Taylor Jackson Financial Services after receiving the trophy as Westman Super League of Curling Champions. (Brandon Sun files)

Dunstone and Homan win men’s and women’s finals at PointsBet Invitational

Darren Haynes, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

Dunstone and Homan win men’s and women’s finals at PointsBet Invitational

Darren Haynes, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Monday, Oct. 6, 2025

CALGARY - Rachel Homan's domination on the Canadian women's curling scene continued on Sunday afternoon.

One day shy of the one-year anniversary of the last time she lost to a Canadian opponent, Homan capped off a perfect week at the PointsBet Invitational with a 6-2 victory over Corryn Brown of Kamloops, B.C., at Calgary's WinSport Event Centre.

“They were playing great all week. We watched them on TV and they were making everything. So we knew we were gonna have to bring our 'A' game today," said Homan. “It looked they were gonna get a big end there, but we were able to capitalize on a couple mistakes and get a lead.”

Trailing 1-0, Brown had a chance to take the lead in the fourth end when her tap attempt for two was heavy and wide, resulting in a steal of one. Brown had another shot at a multi-point end in the fifth, but missed a double with her final rock to surrender another point and fall behind 3-0.

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Monday, Oct. 6, 2025

Canada's skip Rachel Homan, releases the stone during the gold medal match against Switzerland at the World Women's Curling Championship in Uijeongbu, South Korea, Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
Canada's skip Rachel Homan, releases the stone during the gold medal match against Switzerland at the World Women's Curling Championship in Uijeongbu, South Korea, Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

Dunstone to face Jacobs, Homan to play Brown in PointsBet Invitational finals

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Dunstone to face Jacobs, Homan to play Brown in PointsBet Invitational finals

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025

CALGARY - Rachel Homan of Ottawa will be facing Corryn Brown of Kamloops in a battle of unbeaten teams in Sunday's women's final at the PointsBet Invitational curling tournament.

Homan, with third Tracy Fleury, second Emma Miskew and lead Sara Wilkes, beat Christina Black's Halifax foursome 9-5 on Saturday night to advance to the final.

Homan, trailing 2-1 in the fifth, scored five with the hammer. Black came back with two in the sixth to trail 6-4, but Homan counted three more in the seventh. After Black was held to a single point in the eighth it was handshake time.

Brown, with third Erin Pincott, second Sara Koltun and lead Samantha Fisher, advanced to the final with a 10-5 win over Kayla Skrlik of Calgary. The B.C. skip scored three in the first end, then added deuces in the fourth and fifth ends to take control.

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Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025

Manitoba-Dunstone skip Matt Dunstone calls out to the sweepers while playing Alberta-Jacobs during the final at the Brier, in Kelowna, B.C., on Sunday, March 9, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Manitoba-Dunstone skip Matt Dunstone calls out to the sweepers while playing Alberta-Jacobs during the final at the Brier, in Kelowna, B.C., on Sunday, March 9, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. curler Corryn Brown remains undefeated at PointsBet Invitational

The Canadian Press 3 minute read Preview

B.C. curler Corryn Brown remains undefeated at PointsBet Invitational

The Canadian Press 3 minute read Friday, Oct. 3, 2025

CALGARY - Corryn Brown remained perfect at the PointsBet Invitational curling tournament with a 10-6 win over Kate Cameron in Friday's early draw.

Brown's team from Kamloops, B.C., improved to 3-0 and held the top spot in the women's Pool B.

Cameron's rink from St. Adolphe, Man., made a game of it with two points in the eighth and a steal of one in the ninth to cut Brown's lead to 7-6. But Brown made the most of the hammer in the final end to put the game away.

Cameron fell to 1-3 after losing to Selena Sturmay of Edmonton (2-2) 6-4 in Friday's late draw.

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Friday, Oct. 3, 2025

British Columbia skip Corryn Brown calls a sweep in Scotties Tournament of Hearts action against Team Canada in Thunder Bay, Ont. on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn
British Columbia skip Corryn Brown calls a sweep in Scotties Tournament of Hearts action against Team Canada in Thunder Bay, Ont. on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

John Epping off to strong start with pair of wins at PointsBet Invitational

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

John Epping off to strong start with pair of wins at PointsBet Invitational

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025

CALGARY - John Epping picked up a pair of wins to start off his schedule at the PointsBet Invitational curling tournament on Thursday.

Epping defeated Brad Gushue 10-9 in Draw 3 before returning for Draw 4 to top Calgary's Kevin Koe 9-3.

Gushue's team from St. John's, N.L, scored two points in the 10th end before Toronto's Epping put the back-and-forth contest away with a decisive point in the extra end. Gushue, who announced this will be the final season of his decorated career, fell to 1-1.

Against Koe (1-1), Epping's team scored two points in the eighth and four in the ninth to turn a tie game into a six-point edge. Epping now sits atop the Pool A standings at 2-0.

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Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025

Northern Ontario skip John Epping watches his shot while playing Nunavut during the Brier, in Kelowna, B.C., on Thursday, March 6, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Northern Ontario skip John Epping watches his shot while playing Nunavut during the Brier, in Kelowna, B.C., on Thursday, March 6, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

PointsBet Invitational altered to help Canada’s top teams prepare for Olympic trials

Donna Spencer, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

PointsBet Invitational altered to help Canada’s top teams prepare for Olympic trials

Donna Spencer, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025

CALGARY - It's all about Olympic trials for the Canada's top curling teams now.

November's trials in Halifax will determine which men's and women's teams representing Canada at the 2026 Olympic Games in Milan and Cortina, Italy. 

Canada's last Olympic gold medals in team curling were won in 2014, when teams skipped by Jennifer Jones and Brad Jacobs prevailed in Sochi, Russia.

Seven of the eight men's teams and seven of the eight women's teams bound for the Halifax trials are competing this week in the PointsBet Invitational that's been altered to mimic the trials environment.

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Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025

Canada skip Brad Gushue delivers a rock while playing Alberta-Jacobs during the semifinal at the Brier, in Kelowna, B.C., on Sunday, March 9, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Canada skip Brad Gushue delivers a rock while playing Alberta-Jacobs during the semifinal at the Brier, in Kelowna, B.C., on Sunday, March 9, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Curling hub network expands to B.C., Saskatchewan, Ontario, another in Alberta

Donna Spencer, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

Curling hub network expands to B.C., Saskatchewan, Ontario, another in Alberta

Donna Spencer, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Thursday, Sep. 25, 2025

Curling Canada is expanding regional high-performance training hubs to Victoria, Okotoks, Alta., Moose Jaw, Sask., and Kitchener-Waterloo, Ont.

Clubs in those communities join Winnipeg, in its second year after a pilot project, and long-established training centres in Calgary and Edmonton to create a network that can mimic arena ice conditions, offer technology to enhance shotmaking and sweeping, and provide high-level coaching.

"The challenge for Canada is just the sheer size of the country," said Curling Canada high-performance director David Murdoch. 

"We have national training centres located in Alberta, but how do other athletes get access to those types of resources? How do we create something in these facilities where we create the next future Rachel Homan or Brad Jacobs?

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Thursday, Sep. 25, 2025

Players sweep a rock at the Tim Hortons Brier in Lethbridge, Alta., Sunday, March 6, 2022. A network of curling high-performance training centres in Canada has been created with expansion to Victoria, Okotoks, Alta., Moose Jaw, Sask., and Kitchener-Waterloo, Ont. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Players sweep a rock at the Tim Hortons Brier in Lethbridge, Alta., Sunday, March 6, 2022. A network of curling high-performance training centres in Canada has been created with expansion to Victoria, Okotoks, Alta., Moose Jaw, Sask., and Kitchener-Waterloo, Ont. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Legendary skip Gushue, set to retire at season’s end, weighs in on Rock League pitch

Gregory Strong, The Canadian Press 3 minute read Preview

Legendary skip Gushue, set to retire at season’s end, weighs in on Rock League pitch

Gregory Strong, The Canadian Press 3 minute read Friday, Sep. 19, 2025

Don't expect legendary Canadian skip Brad Gushue to cap his farewell season in the fledgling professional Rock League this spring.

The six-time national men's curling champion announced this week that he would retire at the end of the 2025-26 campaign.

Gushue, speaking on a conference call Thursday, said representatives from The Curling Group met with him and his wife last summer "to propose the Rock League to us" before making an offer.

"I kind of sat on it for a little bit and then the offer came back and it was not the same offer," Gushue said.

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Friday, Sep. 19, 2025

Canada skip Brad Gushue calls out to the sweepers while playing Team Manitoba-Dunstone during the playoffs at the Montana's Brier in Kelowna, B.C., on March 8, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Canada skip Brad Gushue calls out to the sweepers while playing Team Manitoba-Dunstone during the playoffs at the Montana's Brier in Kelowna, B.C., on March 8, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

With Trials coming up and Brier in hometown, Gushue “has the drive” for final season

Gregory Strong, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

With Trials coming up and Brier in hometown, Gushue “has the drive” for final season

Gregory Strong, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Thursday, Sep. 18, 2025

Of all the victories, moments, titles and podium appearances that Brad Gushue has experienced over his legendary curling career, his team's ability to be a consistent contender for two-plus decades is something that stands out for the Canadian skip. 

"Just the longevity," Gushue said Thursday on a video call with reporters. "The fact that we've been able to stay at or near the top of the game for such a long time, keep that motivation at (a high) level and go through how the game has evolved over the last 25 years. 

"I think that's something that I'm very proud of and I think that's something that's hard to achieve."

The 45-year-old Gushue, from St. John's, N.L., announced Wednesday that the 2025-26 season would be his last in competitive curling.

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Thursday, Sep. 18, 2025

Canada skip Brad Gushue watches his shot while playing Team Manitoba-Dunstone during the playoffs at the Montana's Brier in Kelowna, B.C., on March 8, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Canada skip Brad Gushue watches his shot while playing Team Manitoba-Dunstone during the playoffs at the Montana's Brier in Kelowna, B.C., on March 8, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Canadian curler Brad Gushue calling it a career after upcoming season

The Canadian Press 3 minute read Preview

Canadian curler Brad Gushue calling it a career after upcoming season

The Canadian Press 3 minute read Wednesday, Sep. 17, 2025

Brad Gushue is calling it a career after this upcoming season. 

The skip from St. John's, N.L., announced on social media Wednesday that this season will be his last in competitive curling.

Gushue is a two-time Olympic medallist, having won gold in 2006 and bronze in 2022.

He also won five world championship medals (one gold, four silver), with his gold coming in 2017 in Edmonton, and is a six-time Brier champion (2017, 2018, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024). 

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Wednesday, Sep. 17, 2025

Canada skip Brad Gushue delivers a rock while playing Alberta-Jacobs during the semifinal at the Brier, in Kelowna, B.C., on Sunday, March 9, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Canada skip Brad Gushue delivers a rock while playing Alberta-Jacobs during the semifinal at the Brier, in Kelowna, B.C., on Sunday, March 9, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Orange Crush: 20 years after Trials win, Gushue goes for same look in Halifax return

Gregory Strong, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

Orange Crush: 20 years after Trials win, Gushue goes for same look in Halifax return

Gregory Strong, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Thursday, Sep. 11, 2025

Of the many memories that remain from Brad Gushue's surprise win at the 2005 Olympic curling trials, one pre-event recollection sticks out.

When the St. John's skip arrived in Halifax that year, he was surprised to learn his rink was given bright orange jerseys for the competition.

"We thought it was because we were the youngest guys, we were getting the worst pick," Gushue said. "We were not thrilled at all when we opened our box and saw that we were orange."

The team eventually embraced the colour. Supporters at the arena soon jumped on board too. 

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Thursday, Sep. 11, 2025

Brad Gushue of St. John's, N.L., celebrates as he defeats Team Jeff Stoughton from Winnipeg at the Canadian curling trials in Halifax, N.S. on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2005. (CP PHOTO/Andrew Vaughan)
Brad Gushue of St. John's, N.L., celebrates as he defeats Team Jeff Stoughton from Winnipeg at the Canadian curling trials in Halifax, N.S. on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2005. (CP PHOTO/Andrew Vaughan)

Versatile Wayne Middaugh inducted into World Curling Hall of Fame

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Preview

Versatile Wayne Middaugh inducted into World Curling Hall of Fame

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Thursday, Sep. 4, 2025

PERTH - Canada's Wayne Middaugh, one of the sport’s most versatile players, was inducted into the World Curling Hall of Fame on Thursday.

Middaugh, from Brampton, Ont., is the only athlete to win world men’s titles in three different positions. 

He earned gold in 1993 in Geneva, Switzerland, playing second for Russ Howard, skipped Canada to victory in 1998 in Kamloops, and added another in 2012 in Basel, Switzerland, playing third/vice-skip for Glenn Howard.

He also represented Ontario at 10 different Briers.

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Thursday, Sep. 4, 2025

Team Wild Card Three alternate Wayne Middaugh, left, directs his teammates as Team Wild Card Two skip Kevin Koe looks on at the Brier in Calgary, Alta., Saturday, March 13, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Team Wild Card Three alternate Wayne Middaugh, left, directs his teammates as Team Wild Card Two skip Kevin Koe looks on at the Brier in Calgary, Alta., Saturday, March 13, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Homan, Jacobs teams gear up for Pan Continental Curling Championships

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Homan, Jacobs teams gear up for Pan Continental Curling Championships

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025

Curling teams skipped by Rachel Homan and Brad Jacobs will represent Canada at the Pan Continental Curling Championships, which serve as qualifiers for the 2026 men's and women's world championships.

Homan's team out of the Ottawa Curling Club and the Jacobs foursome from Calgary's Glencoe Club will compete Oct. 19-26 in Virginia, Minn., after winning their respective Canadian championships this year, Curling Canada said Tuesday in a release.

Homan claimed last year's Pan Continental women's title in Lacombe, Alta. 

The Jacobs team will represent Canada for the first time after Brad Gushue's team participated in the first three editions of the tournament. Gushue won twice before finishing fourth last year.

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Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025

Canada's skip Rachel Homan, second from left, speaks to her players during the qualification match against Scotland at the World Women's Curling Championship in Uijeongbu, South Korea, Saturday, March 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
Canada's skip Rachel Homan, second from left, speaks to her players during the qualification match against Scotland at the World Women's Curling Championship in Uijeongbu, South Korea, Saturday, March 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

Jennifer Jones recounts journey from shy girl to curling legend in book “Rock Star”

Donna Spencer, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

Jennifer Jones recounts journey from shy girl to curling legend in book “Rock Star”

Donna Spencer, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025

Curling dragged a shy introvert into the spotlight because she was so good at the sport.

Jennifer Jones chronicles her evolution from the youngster who snuck out of the St. Vital Curling Club daycare to sit behind the glass and watch her parents throw stones to international stardom in "Rock Star: My Life On and Off the Ice" released Tuesday by HarperCollins.

The Winnipeg skip who led her teams to an Olympic gold medal, two world championships and six Canadian titles wrote the memoir after retiring from team curling in 2024.

"It was really actually almost therapeutic for me to go through all the stories," Jones said. "I was sad, a little bit sad, about leaving curling, and it was a really good year to just kind of go through and reflect and reminisce on all the incredible memories."

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Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025

Team Manitoba-Jones skip Jennifer Jones directs her teammates as they play Team Alberta in qualifications at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Calgary, Alta., Friday, Feb. 23, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Team Manitoba-Jones skip Jennifer Jones directs her teammates as they play Team Alberta in qualifications at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Calgary, Alta., Friday, Feb. 23, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Homan’s curling team hires Heather Nedohin as coach for upcoming season

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Homan’s curling team hires Heather Nedohin as coach for upcoming season

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Monday, Aug. 25, 2025

OTTAWA - The reigning world and Canadian women's curling championship team skipped by Rachel Homan has announced Heather Nedohin as its coach for the upcoming season.

Homan, third Tracy Fleury, second Emma Miskew, lead Sarah Wilkes and alternate Rachel Brown out of the Ottawa Curling Club are No. 1 in the world in World Curling's women's team rankings.

Nedohin, from Sherwood Park, Alta., is a two-time national champion (1998, 2012) and two-time world championship bronze medallist.

Homan's team started last season with Brendan Bottcher as its coach, but he stepped away from that role when he joined Brad Gushue's men's team at second.

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Monday, Aug. 25, 2025

Alberta alternate Heather Nedohin skips against Saskatchewan during the Scotties Tournament of Hearts in St. Catharines, Ont., on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Alberta alternate Heather Nedohin skips against Saskatchewan during the Scotties Tournament of Hearts in St. Catharines, Ont., on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

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