Mark Nichols Joins Reigning Brier Champions Team Dunstone
In a significant development for Canadian curling, veteran curler Mark Nichols has officially joined the reigning Brier champions, Team Dunstone. This move comes after Nichols found himself without a team following the retirement of his longtime skip, Brad Gushue.
A Seamless Transition for the Champions
The Brier champions have demonstrated their determination to maintain their competitive edge despite the departure of front-ender E.J. Harnden. Team Dunstone announced that Nichols will be stepping into the vacated second position, ensuring the team remains a formidable force in upcoming competitions.
"We're incredibly excited to welcome Mark to the team," said Team Dunstone in an official release. "He's one of the most accomplished and respected players in the game, and his experience, shot-making, and competitive mindset are a perfect fit for what we're building."
The team emphasized their confidence in Nichols' ability to contribute to their championship aspirations, stating: "As we set our sights on defending our Brier title and earning our way back to the world championships, we believe Mark will be a huge part of helping us get there."
Nichols' New Chapter
Nichols, the 46-year-old native of St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, had been contemplating his future in the sport after Gushue's retirement. Despite persistent questions about his own potential retirement, Nichols has now committed to continuing his curling career with Canada's reigning champions.
He will be sliding in at second alongside skip Matt Dunstone, third Colton Lott, and lead Ryan Harnden, forming what promises to be a powerhouse lineup for the upcoming season.
"After a very rewarding journey with Team Gushue, starting this new chapter with Team Dunstone feels like the perfect next step," Nichols said in the release. "The opportunity to join forces with Matt, Colton, and Ryan was one I couldn't pass up."
Nichols expressed enthusiasm about his new role, adding: "I'm energized by the opportunity to bring my experience to an already elite lineup, and I look forward to building on the foundation they've established as we pursue our goals on the world stage."
Kayla Skrlik Announces New Rink for Olympic Quadrennial
In another significant curling announcement, Alberta skip Kayla Skrlik revealed her new rink lineup as teams prepare for the new Olympic quadrennial. The talented Calgary-based skip will be moving forward with Myla Plett at third, Sarah Koltun at second, and Samantha Fisher at lead.
A Promising New Lineup
"I'm excited," said the 28-year-old Skrlik. "Myla, Sarah and Sam bring so much experience to the new lineup."
The addition of Myla Plett brings particularly impressive credentials to the team. Plett, who recently skipped her Edmonton-area rink to the Canadian junior title for the second time in three years, brings young, fresh talent to Skrlik's squad.
"Myla's huge resume speaks for itself," Skrlik noted. "Just last year at such a young age, she skipped a team to the pre-trials while preparing for her second U21 world championship as Team Canada."
Experienced Front-End Tandem
The second and lead positions will be filled by Sarah Koltun and Samantha Fisher, respectively, who bring a wealth of experience from their time as the front-end tandem of Corryn Brown's British Columbia crew over the past two seasons.
Koltun, 32, previously played under Northwest Territories legend Kerry Galusha for seven years, while Fisher, 30, will be Team Skrlik's import from Kamloops, British Columbia. Fisher has been a consistent winner with Brown since their gold medal victory at the 2011 Canada Winter Games.
"Sarah Koltun will be moving to Calgary for the three of us to all train out of the Garrison Curling Club together," Skrlik explained. "Her and Sam's curling IQ is so high, and I'm excited to pull from both of their experiences playing with different skips that I respect so much."
These roster announcements signal exciting developments in Canadian curling as teams position themselves for success in the upcoming competitive season and the road to future international championships.
