Mike McEwen ready to skip Saskatchewan as host to Brier spotlight – Winnipeg Free Press

A Manitoba curling proverb says “a buffalo feels heavy.” Expectations are high from the curlers of that province in the national and international arena.

But what about representing another passionate curling province that hasn't won a Brier in more than 40 years?

Mike McEwen played in seven Canadian men's curling championships for Manitoba. He is set to wear the Saskatchewan colors at the 2024 Brier in Regina, Montana.

The last Saskatchewan team to win the Brier was Rick Faulk in 1980.

McEwen, vice Colton Flash and forward brothers Kevin and Daniel Marsh will look to end Saskatchewan's drought and do so March 1-10 on home ice at the Brandt Centre.

“As opposed to adding pressure and anxiety and things like that, I think it actually adds more excitement,” McEwen said. “I'm still chasing my childhood dream of winning for the first time, so having that story in the background makes me even more excited.”

The 43-year-old from Brandon has led Team Manitoba at the Brier seven consecutive years between 2016 and 2022 — four times as provincial champions and three times as a wild card.

His best mark in that stretch was 10-4 in 2017 to finish third. McEwen lost to Kevin Coden in the men's Olympic Trials final that year.

McEwen edged out an Ontario team of Ryan Frye, Brent Laing and Joey Hart at last year's Brier in London, Ont. They reached the playoffs, losing to Brendan Boettcher in the Page game between the third and fourth seeds.

McEwen has won three championships in three different provinces (Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan), making him the first person to skip three different provinces at the Brier.

“It's not what I planned,” McEwen said. “If it's the odd stat next to my name, I think that's great. I don't see it as a bad thing.”

When Curling Canada began allowing teams to bring one player from outside the province or territory after 2015, the migration of curlers accelerated.

Brad Jacobs, who missed Northern Ontario at the Brier by twelve years, is the favorite to beat Manitoba this week.

McEwen is familiar with competing for the host province in London and in 2019 in Brandon, Man.

“Being next door to Saskatchewan, I know how loyal sports fans are in the province, whether it's curling or soccer,” McEwen said.

“Even my mom has a green Sask hoodie that says 'Mike's Mom' on the sleeve, so she went inside. Everyone is pumping it up. They're wearing green.”

The Flash and Marsh siblings ran hard at the 2022 Brier in Lethbridge, Alta., with Caitlin Schneider third. Flash lost to eventual champion Brad Gushue in the Page Playoff between the third and fourth seeds.

When Fry stepped down from curling as a coach last year and Lane considered his future in curling, McEwen needed a team. The Flash's team lost their partnership with Schneider and moved down the ranks to make way for skip McEwen. Three-time world champion Laing is the coach of the team.

Saskatoon's Nutana Curling Club's freshman four posted a 41-24 record this season in a grueling schedule of 12 tour events. They went 7-0 to win the Saskatchewan Championship.

“If we're going to be in a big playoff game, we're not going to look like a deer in the headlights. We'll be ready for that time,” McEwen said.

McEwen's wife, Dawn, won an Olympic gold medal in 2014, as well as multiple world titles for Jennifer Jones. The curling couple have two daughters: Vienna, 8, and Avalon, 2.

“Not everyone can play as long as Glenn Howard,” McEwen said. “Vena is old enough to remember this as an adult. As a father, I'm glad he got to see me play.'

“The opportunity to inspire your own children is what really drives me. I hope he has a blast at the Brier.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on February 8, 2024.