Jones, a curler, ended his four-man team career with a loss

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TORONTO — Jennifer Jones responded during Friday's postgame media interview when her youngest daughter pulled her leg and reminded her why the decision to retire was so difficult.

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The legendary skip's voice rang out loud as Skyla screamed “don't” as her mother discussed why the time was right to quit the sport.

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“The hardest thing for me is that our girls don't want me to retire,” Jones said. “So I feel bad because he doesn't really want me.”

Winnipeg's long run as a member of the four-player team came to an end moments ago with a 7-6 loss to Anna Hasselborg at the Princess Auto Players Championship.

The result spelled a long farewell bow – Jones announced plans to retire last February – and capped a career for the ages.

“I think it's the right time and it's the right decision,” he said. “I spent most of my life trying to be good at curling. I'm looking forward to what the next challenge will be.”

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Skyla's older sister Isabella made it to the circuit finale from the coach's seat alongside Jones' former teammate Dawn McEwen, who flew out unexpectedly the day before.

“I felt like it was one of those times in someone's life that you just can't miss,” McEwen said.

In the sixth leg, Hasselborg scored three goals and changed the game. Jones hit two to tie it, but his Swedish opponent controlled the final tip and nosed for the win.

As “Simply the best” blared over the speakers at the Mattamy Athletic Center, an extended parade of hugs began.

Teammates, rivals, daughters, husband Brent Laing and other supporters — many with tears in their eyes — were on hand for the moment.

“It's pretty surreal,” Jones said. “I don't think it's sunk in yet. (It) probably (will) start next season and I'm not a curler. Honestly, I can't believe everything that has happened since I made the announcement. I am very grateful.

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“I received many kind messages. I developed a deep love for the sport and it has grown even more over the past six weeks.”

Before kick-off, fans gathered near the sidelines to watch the teams make their final draws. Brampton, Ont.,- Karen Straatsma, who brought a Jones jersey and signed cowbell, said it was important to her to see Jones one last time.

“He's not just a player,” he said. “He's everything and around the world for curling.”

Jones spoke to a near-capacity crowd after the game and promised to sign every last autograph. He did just that, taking selfies and chatting with spectators before hanging at ice level as the recreational players visited the four-a-side facility.

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Jones had to win the final round to qualify for the tiebreaker at the season-ending Grand Slam. Instead, Hasselborg finished in the top six heading into the weekend's play.

Jones, a six-time national women's champion and 2014 Olympic gold medalist, still plans to compete in mixed doubles with Laing.

“I think he's just one of a kind,” McEwen said. “I don't know if there will ever be another like him.”

Earlier, Ottawa's Rachel Homan defeated Japan's Satsuki Fujisawa 6:5 to take first place in the women's tournament and advance to the semifinals.

The top-ranked Homan, who won the world title last month, finished the circuit with a perfect 5-0 record. Sweden's Isabella Vrana beat Italy's Stefania Constantini 5:4 and qualified for the semi-finals.

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Other teams in the playoffs included Yoon Ji Gim of South Korea, Silvana Tirinzoni of Switzerland and Yoon Jun Kim of South Korea.

Scotland's Bruce Mouat and Winnipeg's Mike McEwen lead the men's standings at 4-1. Both qualified for the semi-finals.

St. John's, NL's Brad Gushue, Italy's Joel Retornaz, Scotland's Ross White and Sweden's Niklas Edin rounded out the playoff teams. The final is scheduled for Sunday.

Even with the playoff points, the other sheets got less attention from the crowd. The night belonged to Jones.

“For me, it's about the longevity of everything, I always want to get better,” he said. “To this day, I want to be better.

“I never lost my love for the game.”

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