A look at the skips in the 2016 Brier
The skips heading up the teams participating in the 2016 Tim Hortons Brier in Ottawa have won a wide array of national and international curling championship medals.
Here’s what their resumés look like:
❚ ALBERTA: Kevin Koe, 41, Calgary; fifth Brier appearance, 2010 and 2014 gold medals, 2012 silver medal; 2010 world championship; 2000 Canadian mixed championship; 1994 Canadian junior silver medal.
❚ BRITISH COLUMBIA: Jim Cotter, 41, Vernon; sixth Brier appearance, 2014 silver medal.
❚ MANITOBA: Mike McEwen, 35, Winnipeg; first Brier; Canadian junior 2001 silver medal and 1998 bronze medal; 2003 World University Games gold medal.
❚ NEW BRUNSWICK: Mike Kennedy, 53, Edmundston; fifth Brier, including 5- 6 record in Ottawa in 1993; Canadian senior 2013 gold medal and 2015 bronze medal; 2014 world senior gold medal.
❚ NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR: Brad Gushue, 35, St. John’s; 13th Brier, 2007 silver medal, 2011 bronze medal; 2006 Olympic gold medal; Canadian junior 2001 gold medal, 2000 silver medal, 1999 bronze medal; world junior 2001 and 1998 gold medals.
❚ NORTHERN ONTARIO: Brad Jacobs, 30, Sault Ste. Marie; eighth Brier, 2013 gold medal, 2015 silver medal, 2010 bronze medal; world championship 2013 silver medal; 2014 Olympic gold medal.
❚ NORTHWEST TERRITORIES: Jamie Koe, 38, Yellowknife; 10th Brier; Canadian mixed 2015 silver medal; Canadian junior 1994 silver medal and 1997 bronze medal.
❚ NOVA SCOTIA: Jamie Murphy, 34, Timberlea; third Brier.
❚ ONTARIO: Glenn Howard, 53, Penetanguishene; 16th Brier, gold medals in 2012, 2007, 1993 ( in Ottawa) and 1987, silver medals in 2011, 2010, 2008, 2006, 1994, 1992 and 1986, bronze medals in 2013, 2009 and 1989; world championship 2012, 2007, 1993 and 1987 gold medals.
❚PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND: Adam Casey, 26, Albany; fifth Brier; Canadian junior 2009 gold medal, 2007 silver medal, 2008 bronze medal; world junior 2009 silver medal; Canada Winter Games 2007 bronze medal.
❚ QUEBEC: Jean- Michel Ménard, Aylmer; 10th Brier, 2006 gold medal; world championship 2006 silver medal; Canadian mixed 2001 gold medal.
❚ SASKATCHEWAN: Steve Laycock, 33, Saskatoon; sixth Brier, 2015 and 2008 bronze medals; Canadian junior 2003 gold medal ( in Ottawa); world junior 2003 gold medal; Canadian Interuniversity Sport 2002 and 2001 gold medals.
❚ TEAM CANADA: Pat Simmons, 41, Calgary; ninth Brier, 2015 and 2014 gold medals, 2012 silver medal, 2008 bronze medal; world championship 2015 bronze medal; Canadian junior 1995 bronze medal.
❚ YUKON: Bob Smallwood, 42, Whitehorse; third Brier.
❚ Note: Either Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia or Yukon will advance to the main draw of the Brier, pending the results of round robin matches Friday afternoon and pre- qualifying final Saturday afternoon. The other teams will be eliminated.
❚ SATURDAY GAME OF THE DAY: Defending-champion Team Canada, skipped by Pat Simmons and with Ottawa- raised John Morris at third, opens the Brier against the Quebec foursome skipped by Aylmer’s Jean-Michel Ménard. It’s one of four games in the opening draw at 2:30 p.m. at TD Place arena.