Winnipegger Mike McEwen aims to secure Saskatchewan's 1st Brier win in more than 40 years

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

The Saskatchewan champions will face Prince Edward Island's Tyler Smith on March 1 to kick off the tournament.

“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 getting my first win, so having a story line like this on the back makes me even more excited.”

43 years old, raised in Brandon, Maine. but lives in Winnipeg, has skipped Team Manitoba at the Brier every year since 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.

First person to skip Brier in 3 provinces

McEwen skipped the Ontario lineup 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 definitely not something I planned,” McEwen said.

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“If it's the odd stat next to my name, I think that's great. I don't think it's a bad thing.”

Curling Canada accelerated after 2015 when it began allowing teams to play one player outside the province or territory.

After missing Northern Ontario at the Brier for twelve years, Brad Jacobs captured the Manitoba crown at Stonewall on Sunday. Manitoban Matt Dunstone, who previously skipped Saskatchewan teams at the Brier four times, earned a spot in the 18-team field through the sport's ranking system.

McEwen is familiar with competing for a host province, having done so in London and in Brandon in 2019.

“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 outfit. She has a hoodie that says 'Mike's Mom' on the sleeve, so she's in. Everyone's pumping it up. They're wearing green.”

“We'll be ready”

The Flash and Marsh siblings ran hard in the 2022 Brier in Lethbridge, Alta., with Kathleen 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 the moment,” McEwen said.

LISTEN / Skip Manitoba to lead Saskatchewan at Regina Brier:

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 when she grows up. As a father, I'm glad he got to see me play.”

“Being able to inspire your own kids, that's what really drives me. I hope he has a blast at the Brier.”