Carruthers and Koe Secure Final Spots in Montana Brier

Summary:

• Reid Carruthers and Kevin Koe secured the final two spots in the Montana’s Brier with victories in their provincial finals. 
• The two earned their place in the Canadian men’s curling championship, which will be held from February 28 to March 9 in Kelowna, B.C.
• Kelowna’s winners will represent Canada at the men’s world championship in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.

Reid Carruthers and Kevin Koe have officially secured the final two spots in the Montana’s Brier, earning their place in the Canadian men’s curling championship with hard-fought victories in their respective provincial finals on Sunday. 

Kelowna Winners to Represent Canada at the Men’s World Championship

Carruthers edged out Braden Calvert 9-7 in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, while Koe prevailed over Evan Van Amsterdam by the same score in Stettler, Alberta.

Team Koe are your 2025 Alberta Boston Pizza Cup, Presented by Best Western Champions!! pic.twitter.com/kgOTZZT2IW

— Curling Alberta (@Curling_Alberta) February 10, 2025

With these results, the 18-team field is now set for the prestigious tournament, which runs from February 28 to March 9 in Kelowna, B.C. 

The team that emerges victorious in Kelowna will go on to represent Canada at the men’s world championship, scheduled for March 29 to April 6 in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.

The competition will feature a mix of provincial champions and pre-qualified teams. Among those already preparing for the Brier are Ty Di Lello (Newfoundland and Labrador), Thomas Scoffin (Yukon), Cameron de Jong (B.C.), Tyler Smith (Prince Edward Island), James Grattan (New Brunswick), Sam Mooiebroek (Ontario), Felix Asselin (Quebec), John Epping (Northern Ontario), Rylan Kleiter (Saskatchewan), Owen Purcell (Nova Scotia), Aaron Bartling (Northwest Territories), and Shane Latimer (Nunavut).

Defending champion Brad Gushue of St. John’s, N.L., will come back to lead his team in another title defense. 

Meanwhile, Brad Jacobs, Mike McEwen, and Matt Dunstone have pre-qualified based on their rankings after the 2023-24 season.

Jacobs, a decorated Canadian, world, and Olympic champion, has taken over as skipper of Brendan Bottcher’s Alberta-based team, ranked second in Canada last season. 

Bottcher, in turn, moved to Gushue’s squad in October, replacing E.J. Harnden as second.

The Kelowna Champion Could Reach the Olympic Trials

Beyond the national title, there are Olympic implications. The Kelowna champion can earn a direct berth in the November Olympic trials, provided they finish in the top six at the world championship. 

Gushue and Jacobs have already secured their spots in the trials. If either wins the Brier, the Olympic berth will go to the highest-ranked team after the 2024-25 season concludes in April.

Carruthers, making his 12th Brier appearance, controlled his final with an early 6-1 lead before fending off Calvert’s late push. 

Koe, a four-time national and two-time world champion, will make his 13th Brier appearance. His team built an early lead, stealing a crucial point in the sixth before closing out a 9-5 victory.