Team Dunstone to split after season

Team Dunstone is the latest curling rink out of Canada to announce some roster changes at the conclusion of this season.

“After four memorable seasons together, the 2021-22 season will be the final season together for Matt Dunstone, Braedon Moskowy, Kirk Muyers and Dustin Kidby,” Team Dunstone announced in a release on social media.

The team isn’t the only one making some major changes, now that the 2022 Winter Olympics are in the rearview mirror.

Brad Gushue, Kevin Koe and Brendan Bottcher are each making some roster moves at the end of the season.

Matt Dunstone will move back to his home province in Manitoba and skip a team consisting of B.J. Neufeld, Colton Lott and Ryan Harnden.

It’s a heartfelt good-bye for the Dunstone team, based out of the Highland Curling Club in Regina.

“The last four years with this team have been some of the best years I have ever lived. I am so thankful for every moment, every win, loss I got to share with these guys,” Dunstone said.

“Some people never get to play with a friend over their career, I’ve been fortunate enough to say I got to play with three of my best friends the last four seasons and I will forever be thankful for them, their families and the wonderful people of Saskatchewan that have treated me like their own the last five years.”

Team Dunstone achieved plenty of success together over the years. The group became back-to-back Brier Bronze medalists in 2020 and 2021, not to mention capturing the 2019 Grand Slam Masters Title that saw Dunstone, Moskowy and Kidby on the active roster.

However, right now Team Dunstone is focusing on finishing their season strong in Toronto. 

The Princess Auto Players’ Championship will run in April in the heart of Toronto, Ont. from April 12th-17th.

Here’s a look at some of the major roster changes around both the men’s and women’s teams to start the 2022-23 season:

Team Dunstone

Current: Matt Dunstone, Braedon Moskowy, Kirk Muyres and Dustin Kidby.

New: Matt Dunstone, B.J. Neufeld, Colton Lott and Ryan Harnden.

Team Koe

Current: Kevin Koe, B.J. Neufeld, John Morris and Ben Hebert.

New: Kevin Koe, Tyler Tardi, Brad Thiessen and Karrick Martin.

Team Gushue

Current: Brad Gushue, Mark Nichols, Brett Gallant and Geoff Walker.

New: Brad Gushue, Mark Nichols, E.J. Harnden and Geoff Walker.

Team Bottcher

Current: Brendan Bottcher, Pat Janssen, Brad Thiessen, Karrick Martin.

New: Brendan Bottcher, Marc Kennedy, Brett Gallant, Ben Hebert.

Team Jones

Current: Jennifer Jones, Kaitlyn Lawes, Jocelyn Peterman, Dawn McEwan and Lisa Weagle.

New: Jennifer Jones, Mackenzie Zacharias, Karlee Burgess, Emily Zacharias and Lauren Lenintine.