U of R Cougars men’s curling team’s delivery is gold in U SPORTS Curling Championships

Move over Team Gushue! Could a future Brier be in the cards for members of the University of Regina men's curling team? 

The University of Regina Cougars men’s curling team have claimed their first title since 2009 with an 8-5 victory over the Dalhousie University Tigers at the U SPORTS Curling Canada University Championship held at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton. 

In a closely contested game, Joshua Bryden’s rink brought home the gold with an 8-5 victory over the Dalhousie Tigers earlier this month. “It’s an incredible feeling,” said Bryden. “Words can’t describe how I’m feeling right now. I didn’t really know what to expect when I came here, but to have that feeling of going home with a medal is just incredible.”

We just did our best to keep our focus and wait for the opportunities to come. It’s incredibly exciting to bring home the gold for the University of Regina. — Joshua Bryden, Skip and 2nd year Business Administration student

Tied at 3 at the end of the seventh, the Cougars scored five points to take a commanding 8 – 3 lead at the end of the eighth. The game ended with the final score of 8-5 at the end of the ninth. 

“We just kept battling throughout the game,” said Bryden. “It’s a long week with a lot of curling, so we just did our best to keep our focus and wait for the opportunities to come.”

The championship team consists of Skip, Joshua Bryden (2nd year Business Administration), Lead, Adam Bukurak (3^rd year Business Administration), Second, Carter Williamson (3^rd year Kinesiology and Health Studies), Third, Ryan Grabarczyk (4^th year Science), and Fifth, Ayden Whittmire (1^st year Kinesiology and Health Studies). The team earned a berth at the finals after winning four out of five games, and coming in second, at the Canada West Championships in Edmonton earlier this year. 

Jamie Schneider, men’s curling head coach, who skipped for Team Saskatchewan in the 1990 Brier, was also awarded U SPORTS Coach of the Year at this year’s championships. Schneider helped develop the first men’s and women’s junior and senior divisions for the University of Regina curling club and has coached multiple teams at Canada West and U SPORTS competitions.

“The boys seemed to be building momentum and confidence as the week went on,” said Schneider. “The Saturday turned out to be our best days as we put up high numbers to out score U of A and Dalhousie and accomplish the goal and win gold. During the banquet, I had the honour and joy to be named the U SPORT Coach of the Year.” 

With accolades on everything from their coach to the team's ability to spot and make the most of opportunities on the rink, we just might see Team Bryden on the Brier podium in the years to come.

Banner photo credit: Rob Blanchard.