Last Updated on:
The Season of Champions is roaring into Halifax for the 2025 Montana’s Brier, Canada’s marquee men’s curling event, following another thrilling edition of the Scotties Tournament of Hearts in St. John’s, Newfoundland. This marks the first time since 2015 that Nova Scotia’s capital will host the Brier, promising a week of intense competition, passionate crowds, and unforgettable moments on the ice.
Event Details: Dates, Times, and Venue
The 2025 Montana’s Brier will take place from March 1–9 at the Scotiabank Centre in downtown Halifax, a venue renowned for hosting world-class sporting events. The 18-team field will compete across ten days of round-robin matches, playoffs, and a championship final. Daily draws begin at 9:00 AM AT (Atlantic Time), with evening sessions starting at 7:00 PM AT. The gold medal game is scheduled for Sunday, March 9, at 6:00 PM AT.
TV: All matches air on TSN .
Streaming: Curling World OTT for international viewers.
Pool Standings and Tournament Format
The 2025 Brier features two pools of nine teams each, competing in a round-robin format. The top four teams from each pool advance to the championship bracket, while remaining teams enter a seeding round for placement. Standings will update in real time on Curling Canada’s website and the Curling Scoreboard app. Key matchups to watch include:
Pool A: Defending champion Brad Gushue (Team Canada) headlines a stacked group featuring 2024 runner-up Brendan Bottcher (Alberta) and rising stars like Saskatchewan’s Mike McEwen.
Pool B: Reigning Olympic gold medalist Brad Jacobs (Northern Ontario) faces off against Manitoba’s Reid Carruthers and wildcard contender Matt Dunstone (British Columbia).
Fans can expect daily updates on standings, tiebreakers, and playoff scenarios via The Brier’s official social media channels.
Teams Preview
Brad Gushue’s Quest for History: The Newfoundland skip, a six-time Brier champion, aims to tie Randy Ferbey’s record of seven titles.
Saskatchewan’s Hometown Heartbreak: After a near-miss in 2024, Mike McEwen (representing Saskatchewan) seeks his first Brier win in front of a province that lives and breathes curling.
Wildcard Drama: The addition of two wildcard teams—based on Canadian Team Ranking System points—adds unpredictability, with 2024 semifinalist Glenn Howard (Ontario) eyeing a deep run.
The 2025 Montana’s Brier promises to deliver high-stakes drama as Canada’s best curlers vie for the Tankard. Whether you’re cheering from the stands at Scotiabank Centre or streaming from home, don’t miss a moment of the action.
The Montana Brier employs a sophisticated tournament structure designed to identify the best men’s curling team in Canada.
Round-Robin Stage:
During this phase, teams are divided into pools, with each team playing multiple matches to secure their standing. This stage is crucial, as it sets the groundwork for the playoff rounds and provides teams with an opportunity to adapt their strategies.
Playoffs and Championship Rounds:
After the round-robin, the top teams advance to the playoff stage. Here, the tension rises as every shot carries immense pressure. The playoff format often utilizes the Page playoff system—a method that rewards teams with a high standing by offering them multiple chances to progress further.
Page Playoff System Explained:
In this system, the top four teams face off in a structured format where the highest-seeded teams get a second chance if they falter early. This not only adds an extra layer of excitement but also ensures that consistency and precision are rewarded.
A tournament of this magnitude brings together a diverse array of teams, each with its own unique style and rich history. Let’s dive into the teams and the key players who are set to make an impact at the Montana Brier 2025.
Team Canada – Led by Brad Gushue:
Skip: Brad Gushue
Third: Mark Nichols
Second: Brendan Bottcher
Lead: Geoff Walker
Alternate: Adam Casey
Coach: Jeff Hoffart
This powerhouse team returns with a legacy of Olympic gold and multiple Brier titles. Their blend of experience and relentless drive makes them favorites to defend their title.
Alberta (Koe):
Skip: Kevin Koe
Third: Aaron Sluchinski
Second: Tyler Tardi
Lead: Karrick Martin
Alternate: Mike Libbus
Coach: John Dunn
Known for their aggressive gameplay and strategic precision, Team Koe is renowned for pulling off clutch shots under pressure.
Manitoba – Carruthers and Dunstone:
Carruthers Team:
Skip: Reid Carruthers
Third: B.J. Neufeld
Second: Catlin Schneider
Lead: Connor Njegovan
Alternate: Kyle Doering
Coach: Rob Meakin
Dunstone Team:
Skip: Matt Dunstone
Third: Colton Lott
Second: E.J. Harnden
Lead: Ryan Harnden
Alternate: Adam Kingsbury
Coach: Caleb Flaxey
Manitoba brings two different styles to the ice: the calculated finesse of Carruthers and the dynamic, youthful aggression of Dunstone.
Other Contenders in Pool A:
Teams from regions like New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Northern Ontario are also ready to punch above their weight, bringing resilience and unpredictability to the competition.
Alberta (Jacobs):
Skip: Brad Jacobs
Third: Marc Kennedy
Second: Brett Gallant
Lead: Ben Hebert
Alternate: Mike Caione
Coach: Paul Webster
An Olympic gold medalist with a legacy of excellence, Team Jacobs is expected to bring fire and precision to every match.
Saskatchewan Teams – Kleiter and McEwen:
Kleiter Team:
Skip: Rylan Kleiter
Third: Joshua Mattern
Second: Matthew Hall
Lead: Trevor Johnson
Alternate: John Mattern
Coach: Dean Kleiter
McEwen Team:
Skip: Mike McEwen
Third: Colton Flasch
Second: Kevin Marsh
Lead: Daniel Marsh
Alternate: Brent Laing
Coach: Pat Simmons
Saskatchewan’s teams are known for their fearless shot-making and tactical ingenuity, making them exciting underdogs and formidable contenders.
Ontario, Quebec, and Maritime Teams:
Representing a mix of seasoned veterans and rising stars, these teams add an element of surprise to the tournament. Their dynamic approach and adaptability could see them upsetting more established squads.
The Montana Brier 2025 is not just about individual teams but the classic match-ups and rivalries that bring extra spice to the tournament.
Stay tuned to BusinessMole for breaking news and post-event analysis of the 2025 Season of Champions.