The Home Hardware Road to the Roar Pre-Trials takes place next month in Summerside, P.E.I., where the final two spots on both the men’s and women’s sides for the Tim Hortons Roar of the Rings Canadian Olympic Curling Trials will be determined.
(by Ryan Horne, TSN.ca Staff)
The Canadian trials event, scheduled for Dec. 2-10 in Ottawa, is curling’s toughest qualifying tournament, but the event in Summerside won’t be a walk in the park either.
Team Brad Jacobs of Sault Ste. Marie, alongside Team John Morris of Vernon, B.C., won the pre-trials in 2013. A few months later, Team Jacobs stood atop the podium in Sochi, Russia, as 2014 Olympic champions.
Will the 2018 men’s gold medalists start their journey on Canada’s East Coast?
Glenn Howard, The Canadian Press
The field is highlighted by the likes of four-time Brier and world champion Glenn Howard, 2013 Roar of the Rings finalist (and 2010 Olympic gold medalist) Morris, two-time Brier champ Pat Simmons, Canadian champ Jean-Michel Ménard and reigning Saskatchewan champion Adam Casey. These are the most notable names competing, but that doesn’t mean they are locks to advance to Ottawa.
Adam Casey
Other rinks, such as Saskatoon’s Team Colton Flasch and Winnipeg’s Team Jason Gunnlaugson, are finding success in their first season together. Edmonton’s Team Brendan Bottcher, who competed at nationals for the first time last year, could be ready to make the next step in their curling careers as well
All the action gets underway Nov. 6 at Summerside’s Credit Union Place.
Click this link to see all the teams and storylines for the men’s side of the pre-trials, at TSN.ca