Tyler Tardi Returns to Skipping Role with New Saskatchewan Curling Team
After gaining invaluable experience under two of Canada's top curling skips, Tyler Tardi is eagerly stepping back into the skipping position with a fresh Saskatchewan team. Following three seasons playing third and second for Kevin Koe's Alberta squad, and serving as an alternate for Brad Jacobs and Team Canada at the Olympics and world championships, Tardi is now joining forces with third Colton Flasch, second Kevin Marsh, and lead Daniel Marsh. This team was previously skipped by Mike McEwen, marking a significant reshuffle in the curling landscape.
A Long-Awaited Return to Skipping
For Tardi, a 27-year-old from British Columbia who now resides in Calgary, this move represents a return to the role where he excelled as a junior. "I've been wanting to get back into skipping for a good two years," Tardi revealed. "I very much missed it, and to be honest, I think these guys are probably my best opportunity to do that. I'm super grateful that they still trust in me that I've still got that in me to be a skip." His recent achievements include winning Olympic gold with Jacobs and finishing second with Koe at the recent Brier, underscoring his readiness for this transition.
Team Dynamics and Competitive Prospects
As the import on the Saskatoon-based team, Tardi will lead a squad that retains three of four players from last year's lineup, allowing them to carry forward their Canadian Team Ranking System points. This continuity positions them among the top three men's teams in Canada, giving them a strong chance at securing a Brier pre-qualifier spot for the 2027 national men's curling championship in Saskatoon. While the pre-qualifiers are not yet finalized, this advantageous standing alleviates some pressure on Tardi as he reacclimates to skipping after a five-year hiatus.
"Yeah, maybe a little bit," Tardi admitted regarding the reduced pressure. "Because let's be honest, I haven't skipped in five years, so I don't think it's going to be a dream team in the first event. We're going to have some road bumps, some learning, and I don't think there's any need to panic early if we don't see that early success because we're figuring some stuff out. But we all know that we're all capable of putting in the work, and we want to do that. So if we get some early road bumps, I don't see that ever being an issue."
Building Trust and Commitment
Despite limited off-ice familiarity with Flasch and the Marsh twins, Tardi was drawn to their reputation as dedicated athletes. "We know who the hard workers are on tour," he explained. "So that's what I was looking for." This mutual commitment to excellence is expected to drive the team's development and success in upcoming competitions, as they navigate the challenges of integrating a new skip while maintaining their competitive edge.
