(Sports column by Joe MacIntyre).
Summerside’s Mike Gaudet and his rink are off to Saskatoon, Sask., next week for the 2012 Tim Horton’s Brier.
The Canadian men’s curling championship begins Saturday, March 3, with the Gaudet rink leaving next Thursday to prepare for the 85th Brier.
Gaudet’s teammates are third stone Tyler MacKenzie, second stone Tyler Harris and lead Sean Clarey. Andrew Robinson has been added as the fifth player while well-renowned curler Peter Gallant will serve as Team P.E.I.’s coach.
This will be Gaudet’s fourth appearance at the Brier, and his third as skip. He played third on last year’s Eddie MacKenzie rink.
When asked who will be the team to beat at this year’s event, Gaudet quickly answered: “All of them. Obviously, when you have two of the top five curlers in the world not at this year’s Brier, it does make it a little easier, but they are all good; that is why they are there. Both Kevin Martin and Jeff Stoughton did not qualify for this year’s Brier.”
Glenn Howard, representing Ontario, Kevin Koe from Alberta and Brad Gushue from Newfoundland and Labrador will be the favourites.
Adam Casey will also be at next week’s Brier as he throws second stones for Gushue’s Newfoundland and Labrador rink.
Casey is from Seven Mile Bay, and his appearance should add a little extra interest for local fans.