Saskatchewan heads to the Montana’s Brier with two teams in the field, as Regina’s Kelly Knapp looks to make noise as an underdog. At the same time, Mike McEwen’s Saskatoon rink brings proven experience to the national stage.
Regina’s Kelly Knapp and Saskatoon Nutana’s Mike McEwen will carry the green and white into St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, part of an 18-team field that might be one of the deepest in recent memory.
Add in hometown hero Brad Gushue, who has announced this will be his final competitive event on home ice, reigning champion Brad Jacobs fresh off Olympic gold in Milano-Cortina, and heavyweights like Manitoba’s Matt Dunstone, and you’ve got yourself a Brier.
The format is two pools of nine. Eight-game round robin. The top three advances. No tiebreakers, head-to-head and last-shot draw numbers decide it. The Page playoffs begin March 7, with the final set for Sunday night. The winner moves on to represent Canada at the 2026 World Men’s Curling Championship in Ogden, Utah.
Knapp’s Regina-based squad, third Brennen Jones, Dustin Kidby, Mat Ring and Trent Knapp, opens against the biggest test imaginable: Team Canada skipped by Jacobs.
Team Knapp Schedule (All Times CST):
- Sat., Feb. 28 – vs. Canada (Jacobs), 1:00 p.m.
- Sun., Mar. 1 – vs. Nova Scotia (Thompson), 11:00 a.m.
- Mon., Mar. 2 – vs. Quebec, 7:00 a.m.
- Mon., Mar. 2 – vs. Prince Edward Island, 3:00 p.m.
- Tue., Mar. 3 – vs. Nunavut, 11:00 a.m.
- Wed., Mar. 4 – vs. Newfoundland & Labrador (Young), 7:00 a.m.
- Wed., Mar. 4 – vs. Newfoundland & Labrador (Gushue), 3:00 p.m.
- Thu., Mar. 5 – vs. Ontario, 11:00 a.m.
Jones joined the SportsCage from St. John’s and made it clear that they know exactly what they are walking into.
“We’re aware we’re an underdog,” Jones said. “But we’re not going to be a pushover. We’re going to make it challenging and difficult to get by us.”
There’s a quiet confidence with this group. They missed the playoffs last time they were in the Brier, in 2023, by a razor’s edge. This time? The goal is the championship pool.
Jones says they’re at their best when they’re loose.
“We’re just really good buddies. There’s no drama. When we’re enjoying ourselves and having fun, that’s when the best play comes out.”
That mindset matters in a Brier where the margins are thin and the pressure, especially for Saskatchewan teams carrying a 45-year title drought, can weigh heavily.
Jones even admitted he doesn’t care which Saskatchewan rink does it.
“I don’t care if it’s us or McEwen. I just hope somebody wins so Saskatchewan doesn’t have that on their back anymore.”
If Knapp enters as the scrappy contender, McEwen arrives battle-tested.
The Saskatoon-based rink features Kevin Marsh (throwing second), Colton Flasch, and Dan Marsh, a lineup with experience and pedigree.
Team McEwen Schedule (All Times CST):
- Sat., Feb. 28 – vs. Northwest Territories, 12:00 p.m.
- Sun., Mar. 1 – vs. Alberta (Koe), 7:00 a.m.
- Sun., Mar. 1 – vs. Yukon, 5:00 p.m.
- Mon., Mar. 2 – vs. Northern Ontario, 11:00 a.m.
- Tue., Mar. 3 – vs. New Brunswick, 7:00 a.m.
- Tue., Mar. 3 – vs. B.C., 5:00 p.m.
- Wed., Mar. 4 – vs. Manitoba (Calvert), 11:00 a.m.
- Thu., Mar. 5 – vs. Manitoba (Dunstone), 5:00 p.m.
McEwen’s path runs through Pool B, a gauntlet that includes Dunstone, Alberta’s Kevin Koe and two Manitoba entries.
The good news? This is a team built for grind-it-out weeks.
Unlike Knapp’s youthful core, McEwen’s group has lived the Brier pressure before. They know the travel. They know the ice adjustments. They know how to navigate the draw-to-draw swings.
And if Saskatchewan fans are looking for a safe bet to reach the playoffs, McEwen’s consistency makes them a strong candidate.
This Brier feels different.
Gushue’s farewell at home will dominate headlines in Newfoundland. Jacobs and company will draw attention after their Olympic triumph. The field is stacked with provincial champions and CTRS qualifiers.
But from a Saskatchewan perspective, this is about opportunity.
Two rinks. Two different styles. One province is desperate to see its name etched on the tankard again.
Knapp brings chemistry and belief.
McEwen brings experience and firepower.
And if Jones is right, maybe it doesn’t matter which one does it.
Maybe this is finally the year Saskatchewan stops talking about 1980.
Here is the complete interview with Brennan Jones:
