EditorSA国际影视传媒檚 note: Martin Gavin is once again on the ground for SA国际影视传媒 at the MontanaSA国际影视传媒檚 Brier and will be providing coverage all week as Jamie Koe and his rink out of the Yellowknife Curling Centre take on the best in the country. That includes squaring off against big brother Kevin Koe, which will happen on Saturday.
Jamie Koe and his Yellowknife Curling Centre rink are set to begin their 2024 MontanaSA国际影视传媒檚 Brier this week in Regina.
This onset of the Canadian menSA国际影视传媒檚 curling championship holds special place for Jamie as he returns to the city where he first represented the North 18 years prior.
SA国际影视传媒淚t feels great to be heading back to the location of my first purple heart (the BrierSA国际影视传媒檚 sacred participant patch),SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淥ur first Brier was here, so itSA国际影视传媒檚 got a special place in my heartSA国际影视传媒�.
Special indeed as KoeSA国际影视传媒檚 Brier baptism saw he and his Yellowknife squad narrowly missed the playoffs with a 6-5 record, raising eyebrows across Canada towards curlers from the North.
Koe brings a well-seasoned squad filled with veterans this year as they take on CanadaSA国际影视传媒檚 best on the national stage. The team includes Glen Kennedy, Cole Parsons, Shad McLeod and Stephen Robertson, all of who have been there before with Koe and will be looking to make some noise.
McLeod feels that returning for his fourth Brier places him in a much improved mind set to perform.
SA国际影视传媒淭his Brier, I am looking forward to bringing some level of experience and really being present,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淣ot everything will be new now, so itSA国际影视传媒檚 a great opportunity to settle in, fully embrace the experience and not get too caught up with the other teams, the media, or the crowd.SA国际影视传媒�
Koe himself is making his 17th appearance, which puts him fourth all-time in terms of attendance and games, an accomplishment in itself. The Prairies have been good to Koe as theySA国际影视传媒檝e produced two of his best Briers. It was in Saskatchewan in 2012 where he made his biggest splash, rising atop the field to the playoffs before losing out to none other than big brother Kevin Koe.
SA国际影视传媒淟osing is hard and I would like to say itSA国际影视传媒檚 better losing out to Kevin, but it isnSA国际影视传媒檛,SA国际影视传媒� said Koe.
Paul Flemming, the reigning Canadian senior menSA国际影视传媒檚 champion, 11-time Brier participant and coach for Prince Edward Island at this yearSA国际影视传媒檚 Brier, spoke fondly of his experiences with Jamie Koe on the national stage.
SA国际影视传媒淛amie and his squad from the North are a true testament to the nationality of the Brier,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淭hey earn their way here most years and play really tough. ISA国际影视传媒檝e personally had at least 10 national event battles with them between the Brier and the (Canadian) mixed and every game was close, but I am up on him, I think.SA国际影视传媒�
One of the BrierSA国际影视传媒檚 favourite story lines is the battle of the Koe brothers. Last year, the Koe vs. Koe contest was replaced with Glen Kennedy vs. Mark Kennedy, his brother. This yearSA国际影视传媒檚 chapter of the Koe brother battle is tomorrow, Saturday.
SA国际影视传媒淚 love playing him and I hate playing himSA国际影视传媒� said Kevin Koe. SA国际影视传媒淧laying against each other at the Brier is special as most brothers never get to experience it, but Jamie and his team can take anyone down. They have proven that and one of these days it could be us. That loss could knock us out and thatSA国际影视传媒檚 scary.SA国际影视传媒�
Jamie, on the other hand, has a different thought when asked by SA国际影视传媒 how he feels about taking on one of the pre-tournament favourites.
SA国际影视传媒淲e are going to take them down,SA国际影视传媒� he said.
Everything starts tonight as the opening round consists of two pools of nine teams. The top three in each pool proceed to the playoffs. The NWT will be on the ice Friday night against Quebec in their opening contest.
