Saskatoon product to play for Yukon at Tim Hortons Brier

While there already are two Saskatchewan-based rinks to cheer for at the 2022 Tim Hortons Brier, fans can keep their eyes on another player from the province.

Saskatoon’s Evan Latos is to throw lead stones for Team Yukon as a part of Thomas Scoffin’s rink out of the Whitehorse Curling Club.

Latos recently made the move to the territory and has fallen in love with it.

“A job opportunity came up (in) the spring of last year to move up to the Yukon. I jumped all over it to move up there,” Latos said.

“With that, in the back of my mind, I knew that there was curling (and) that there would be a great opportunity up there.”

Latos has adapted well to the new setting and has fallen in love with his new home that has all of his favourite things.

“Anybody that likes the outdoors, the Yukon is the place for you,” he said. “(There’s) tons of fishing, hiking (and) camping. It’s the place to be for sure.”

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Latos and his team made the decision not to travel out of the Yukon to participate in any tournaments. Instead, they’ve stuck to league play and have had more time to practise together.

“There’s a pretty strong contingent at the Whitehorse Curling Club,” Latos said. “The number of teams is definitely not there compared to Saskatchewan, but there are a couple other top teams there that do a lot of practising and playing as well.”

Although Latos won’t be playing for his own province, he’s excited to represent the Yukon the best way he can.

“I’ve really embraced the Yukon and I like to think the Yukon has embraced me as well,” he said. “I’ve made lots of friends there for the year I’ve been up there. I am excited to represent the north.

“But at the same time, I’m still a Saskatchewan guy at heart. So it will be a little bit weird wearing purple and seeing Sask. out there. I’m just super-excited and can’t wait for it.”

Saskatchewan will have plenty of representation at this year’s Brier.

Colton Flasch’s rink won the SaskTel Tankard to earn the right to wear the green jackets and Matt Dunstone’s foursome was awarded one of three Wild Card spots after losing to Flasch in the Tankard final.

The Tim Hortons Brier is to begin March 4 in Lethbridge.