Mcewen’s wild-card rink is rocking a new look
Team Wild Card rocks new badass look and a win streak to open preliminary round
They’re the Men in Black of curling, with skulls on their broom handles and evil jokers on their Team Wild Card hats.
Meet Team Mike Mcewen, a group of nice guys with a badass look.
It’s all the brainchild of lead Colin Hodgson, who is known as both a fine curler and the man whose company produces the player apparel for events like the Tim Hortons Brier and Scotties Tournament of Hearts.
He designed the black outfits for Team Wild Card, which is perfect for the Mcewen team as they regularly wear black shirts, jackets and hats on tour.
In a sport known for being gentlemanly and full of decorum, Team Mcewen definitely comes across as being edgy.
“I’m getting edgy,” said Hodgson, who recently got most of his right arm tattooed, grew a beard and got a Mohawk-ish haircut.
“I’m feeling more comfortable in my skin than I ever have. This is me and I’m starting to care less what other people think. That has relaxed me and been more fun, too.”
The rest of the members of the team — Mcewen, Reid Carruthers and Derek Samagalski — aren’t quite as colourful, but the dark uniforms are certainly intended to portray a certain image.
“All the guys know us so I’m not sure it’s all that intimidating,” Mcewen said.
“I enjoy the dark colours. I think they look sharp. I know sports teams that wear black uniforms are tough — you know, like the (Las Vegas) Raiders. They win lots of games. So is it about attitude? There is a scientific study on uniform colours and I think there’s a lot of sports teams that have dark black uniforms that tend to do well.”
Mcewen and his teammates are enjoying an excellent season after struggling mightily in their first year together (2018-19 season).
They rose to fourth in the Canadian Team Ranking System standings, and though they lost the Manitoba men’s curling final to Jason Gunnlaugson, they won the Brier wild card game last Friday.
On Monday, they won two games — 6-2 over Northwest Territories and 10-5 over British Columbia — to improve to 4-0. They still have preliminary round games against Team Canada (Kevin Koe) and Ontario (John Epping) to come, but they’re looking like they can contend with anyone at this point.
They’ve been looking good on the ice, both in terms of performance and style.
Hodgson certainly sticks out the most. After all, there aren’t many other curlers with grim reaper tattoos.
“I don’t foresee Mike or Reid or Derek getting grim reaper tattoos,” Hodgson said with a laugh. “But who knows, it’s not off the table yet. They haven’t said no.”
Hodgson, a 29-year-old originally from Edmonton, is proud of the fact that he’s been able to show his individuality without getting people’s noses out of joint.
“I’m blown away by it,” he said. “I thought there would be lots of resistance.
“People have been so nice to me and generous, reaching out and happy that we’re doing different things. I’m not sure why, because other people have done similar things and have been condemned for it.”
One thing you should not expect from Hodgson is that he’ll look the same next year.
I enjoy the dark colours. I think they look sharp. I know sports teams that wear black uniforms are tough — you know, like the (Las Vegas) Raiders.
“I’m gonna keep pushing,” he said. “I’m gonna rock a braid and try to look like Ragnar Lothbrok from Vikings. Why not?
“I’m not gonna go for a full face or side head tattoo yet, but if people can do that and feel comfortable doing that, why not? I love this stuff.”
While he has clearly changed his look, Hodgson also says he’s changing his ways.
He’s been known for years a curler who burns the candle at both ends. Let’s just say he enjoys both the on-ice and off-ice festivities at the Brier.
“I can’t handle the things I once could,” Hodgson said. “I can’t be at the patch late and then go to bed and be up for a 9 a.m. game and perform.”
And what does he mean by ‘late?’
“Late used to be when the patch closed. I haven’t closed the patch yet, nor will I if I have a morning game.
“I want to win. I think this team can win. We’re in a great place. We haven’t played our best yet, but we’re comfortable. I think we’ve got a good vibe going.”