A men’s curling team with local connections is competing at the SaskTel Tankard being hosted in Estevan: Jan. 31 – Feb. 4.
Andrea McEwen of Carlyle is coaching Team Stewart, which is skipped by Brayden Stewart of Maryfield. Brody Blackwell of Assiniboia is the lead, brothers from Lloydminster Evan Latos is second and Jared Latos is third, while Oxbow’s Shane Kitz is the team’s alternate.
“I’ve been coaching them juniors for the last three years and this is the first year the opportunity to compete at more men’s events developed,” McEwen explained. “They had lost out in the semi-finals at juniors, so we decided to try our hats at the Northerns with no expectations. Out of that they were one of the teams to qualify to compete at the Tankards and they will be the youngest competitors there.”
“It’s a huge accomplishment for these guys.”
The team formed through university connections and McEwen was brought into the fold through her relationship with the Kitz family.
The winner of the Tankard goes on to represent Saskatchewan at the Tim Hortons Brier.
“It’s a far off goal, but it is a goal,” McEwen said. “They’ve played in various events and will be coming up against familiar teams; they had a close game against Steve Laycock’s team.”
“They’re excited. They grew up watching these guys and now they have the opportunity to play on arena ice and to be a part of it with these guys is pretty special.”
McEwen is also excited that curling is in the family as her brother is currently competing in the Manitoba provincials.
“They’ve had a fabulous year so far and now they get to go out there with the big boys,” McEwen said smiling.
