KELOWNA, B.C. — The 2025 Montana’s Brier curling championship reached its climax this weekend, showcasing exceptional talent and fierce competition. The event, held at Prospera Place, unfolded with thrilling semifinal matchups and the announcement of all-star teams and award winners.
Among the highlights was the announcement of the all-stars, determined by shooting percentages and media votes. The first-team all-stars included skip Brad Jacobs of Alberta, third Mark Nichols (Team Canada), second Brett Gallant (Alberta), and lead Ryan Harnden (Manitoba). The second team featured skip Brad Gushue (Team Canada), third Marc Kennedy (Alberta), second Kevin Marsh (Saskatchewan), and lead Connor Njegovan (Manitoba-Carruthers).
One of the coveted honors, the Ross Harstone Sportsmanship Award, was awarded to Sheldon Wettig, the vice-skip from Nunavut, recognized for embodying sportsmanship during the competition. Another significant award presented was the Paul McLean Award, which honors contributions to curling from behind the scenes. This year, it was awarded posthumously to Ted Wyman, the longtime curling writer for the Winnipeg Sun, accepted by his son Chris Wyman. Ted, who passed away from cancer last November, was remembered for his fairness and dedication to the sport.
During the playoffs, veteran skip Brad Jacobs secured his semifinal berth with a nail-biting 6-5 win over Reid Carruthers of Manitoba on March 8, 2025. Following the match, Jacobs expressed confidence, stating, “We’re giving ourselves every opportunity to try to win this thing. I’m just really confident in the guys.” This set the stage for his subsequent matchup against defending champion Gushue on March 9.
Earlier, Gushue faced defeat at the hands of Manitoba's Matt Dunstone, who clinched his spot for the championship game with a 7-4 victory. Dunstone commented on his performance, noting, “I thought we had control of the game right from the get-go. We got key forces when we needed to,” highlighting the strategic play throughout the match.
Jacobs, who has been on the road to reclaiming top form after two events, maintained a perfect 8-0 record through the round-robin stages of the tournament. His only loss this season came from Gushue during the early qualifiers. Jacobs, who won his sole Brier title back in 2013, now prepares to make another bid for the championship. He shared, “We’ve worked really hard to get here,” echoing the sentiments of teammate Marc Kennedy, who also spoke of their commitment to preparation.
Meanwhile, Dunstone's team demonstrated tenacity, overcoming early pressure from Gushue’s side. The match saw leads exchanged multiple times, with the score tied at 4-4 through the seventh and eighth ends. Dunstone summarized their winning performance as they took the lead, reflecting on their strategy and teamwork, saying, “I’m really proud of the group.”
On the opposite end, Carruthers expressed his disappointment after the loss to Jacobs but acknowledged the effort put forth, stating, “It's obviously disappointing losing, but we lost to a great team and there's a lot to be proud of.” This feeling of respect and admiration among competitors showcased the spirit of camaraderie within the curling community.
The Brier not only highlighted the top-level curling talent across Canada but also focused on the sportsmanship and dedication to the craft. Alongside the competitive spirit, Jacobs and his team aimed to build on their experience and knowledge, reflected through Kennedy's words: “We’re trying to build a team capable of beating the best teams, both nationally and internationally.”
With the championship match set to take place on March 9, 2025, the excitement reached its peak. Manitoba will face either Team Canada or Alberta, who had earlier defeated Carruthers' squad on the same day. Fans are eager to witness this showdown, where curling excellence will again shine.
Reflecting the broader legacy of curling, this event also served as a remembrance for Ted Wyman, whose contributions still resonate within the sport. The accolades and heartfelt tributes throughout the weekend illustrated the remarkable impact he had on curling journalism and advocacy. From the intense competition to honoring those who paved the way, the 2025 Montana's Brier promises to be remembered for years to come.