PEI’s Eddie MacKenzie rink end play this afternoon, against the Northwest Territories/Yukon team, at the Tim Hortons Brier in Kamloops. On Wednesday, it was made official that Team PEI would not advance to next year’s Brier, unless they win the “Relegation” pre-event between Nova Scotia, PEI, the Yukon, and Nunavut. Each member of the MacKenzie rink had something to say about the subject of relegation when interviewed for today’s edition of the CCA publication “Tankard Times” (click to read full publication).

CCA photo (L-R): Eddie MacKenzie, Anson Carmody, Tyler MacKenzie, Sean Ledgerwood

Eddie MacKenzie (skip): “A Brier that doesn’t include one of the provinces, let alone the “Birthplace of Confederation” province (slight bias here) for the full week of activities, clearly isn’t a true National Championship anymore, which for the small cost of amending the draw to accommodate all teams/provinces/territories seems a shame for such a long standing successful event steeped in history.”

Anson Carmody (3rd): “It will be unfortunate to see a national event without all representatives”.

Tyler MacKenzie (2nd): “It might be the Brier, but it won’t be the national championship.”

Sean Ledgerwood (lead): “I don’t think that adding a Team Canada is going to grow curling across the country. In fact, relegation is only going to hurt curling in smaller provinces. The Brier has a long history of provincial representation, and I fear relegation will diminish the diversity of the Brier we know and love.”

Phil Gorveatt (alternate): “I don’t see the Chicago Blackhawks getting a bye into the playoffs after winning the Cup last year. Actually, they would not want it. That is what makes this game so special. Going through the joys of victory and agonies of defeat in Provincials. It is simply heart-wrenching at times. Then be told you are not quite good enough to play in the SHOW but you can prove yourself if you come out four days early and roll the dice. Simple solution, find a way to include everyone. Not exclude.”