There’s a certain feel when a curling lineup shifts, not just a change on paper, but a ripple that moves through a province’s competitive landscape.
Saskatchewan felt another one on Wednesday morning.
Saskatchewan roots. New chapter. Let’s go. 👊 pic.twitter.com/5fkczk9WYG
— Team Mike McEwen (@TeamMcEwen) March 18, 2026
For the second time in a week, the men’s curling scene in the province has been shaken up, and this one might be even louder.
Veteran skip Mike McEwen, a 10-time Brier competitor and one of the most recognizable names in the sport, is staying in Saskatchewan but with a new team around him. McEwen is joining forces with Saskatoon’s Rylan Kleiter, forming a new team that immediately reshapes the province’s competitive picture.
McEwen will throw last rock as skip, while Kleiter moves into the third position. The front end remains intact, with Trevor Johnson at lead and Joshua Mattern at second, giving the new-look squad a blend of continuity and elite experience.
Three players who already know each other. One who knows how to win.
The announcement came via social media, but it landed in the middle of what’s been a whirlwind stretch for Saskatchewan curling. Just days ago, McEwen’s former team, featuring Colton Flasch, Dan Marsh and Kevin Marsh, announced they were moving on without him and quickly pivoted to bring in Tyler Tardi as their new skip.
That alone raised eyebrows. For McEwen, though, the message is simple: he’s not going anywhere.
“I’m not leaving…” he said with a smile. “I’m excited for both the team and myself to stay in Saskatchewan.”
But every addition comes with a subtraction.
Matthew Hall, a key piece of Team Kleiter over the past three seasons, announced Tuesday that he is stepping away from the team and from the grind of high-performance curling.
In a statement, Hall reflected on a run that included a Tier 2 Grand Slam title, an Olympic Trials appearance, and the lifelong goal of playing in his first Brier.
“This decision wasn’t easy,” Hall said. “I still have a deep love for the game, but at this point in my life, I feel it’s important to spend more time at home and focus on other priorities.”
He also acknowledged the reality of elite competition and the level of commitment required to chase it.
“They deserve someone who can match that commitment every step of the way.”
Meanwhile, for Kleiter, Johnson, Mattern and now McEwen, the focus shifts forward.
Because in the span of a week, Saskatchewan men’s curling hasn’t just changed, it’s been reshaped.
On paper, this new team has everything you’re looking for: chemistry, experience, and a skip who’s been there before.
But curling isn’t played on paper, and with two major shakeups in a matter of days, one thing is clear:
The battle for Saskatchewan just got a lot more crowded.
