Team McEwen to represent Saskatchewan at 2024 Brier

Mike McEwen brought his talents to Saskatchewan this year, hoping to get another chance to play at the Brier.

That risk has paid off for the Manitoba curler.

McEwen, along with Colton Flasch, Kevin Marsh, Daniel Marsh and coach Brent Laing, will represent the province at the 2024 Brier in Regina next month.

Team McEwen clinched its spot in the Brier after defeating Team Kleiter 7-3 at the Nutana Curling Club in Saskatoon on Sunday to cap off a perfect provincial championship weekend for the team.

“We came out of the gates and played really well early,” McEwen said. “We put Rylan (Kleiter) in some tough situations where he had to make a couple of tough doubles, and he didn’t, and that kind of set the tone of the game.”

McEwen’s rink stormed out to an early 5-0 lead after stealing a point in the second end and two more in the third. Team Kleiter brought the score of the game to 6-3 after seven ends, but couldn’t muster anything else against Team McEwen.

Team McEwen presented with their Taem Saskatchewan jackets after winning the SaskTel Tankard in Saskatoon at the Nutana Curling Club. (Shane Clausing/650 CKOM)

McEwen said he was happy with how his team curled after what wasn’t the best January.

“We had a really good tour ‘spiel season up until Christmas, and we’ve been building this year. It’s our first year as a team,” he said.

“I struggled the first couple days, and the guys played well all five days. Once I found my feet, it felt like we were unbeatable out here.”

Those words about their performance were echoed by Flasch, who felt this was the best they’ve played all season.

“We played really well this week,” Flasch said. “I think this is as good of a week as I’ve played with any team, almost.”

McEwen credited the personalities on his team as the reason they’ve been able to come together so quickly.

“There’s no egos. They just work hard – for example, Flasch wanting to sweep everything and still throwing third shots. He doesn’t feel like he needs to be in the house. Everybody wants to do what it takes to win,” he explained.

The Brier experience won’t be anything new for the members of Team McEwen, as all of them have previous experience. But it will be different for the likes of the Marsh brothers and Flasch, who will be playing in the Brier on home ice for the first time in their careers.

McEwen has previously represented Manitoba and Ontario at the Brier on home ice.

Flasch said he thinks their past experience at the national event will be used to their advantage.

“I don’t know if the home Brier adds any pressure – I think we put enough pressure on ourselves. We’ve just go to stay the course. If we play well and get into the playoffs, I know we can do some damage. Being there and all of us being in playoff games at the Brier is huge,” Flasch said.

“Mike’s been in every big game possible. He’s been at a Trials final (for the Olympics). I’ve played in the Brier final and we’ve won, and then the Marsh boys have played in a semifinal against (Brad) Gushue. We know what needs to be done, so we’ve just got to get there and do the job.”

The Brier in Regina begins on March 1 and runs until March 10. Team Saskatchewan will play its first game on opening night against an opponent still to be determined.