SaskTel Tankard

Last updated
SaskTel Tankard
SaskTel Tankard logo.png
Sponsor SaskTel
Established1927;97 years ago (1927)
2024 host city Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
2024 arena Nutana Curling Club
2024 champion Mike McEwen
Current edition

The SaskTel Tankard is the annual provincial championship for men's curling in Saskatchewan, with the winner representing the province at the Montana's Brier, the national men's championship. The bonspiel, which is organized by CURLSASK, the provincial curling association, is also known as the SaskTel Provincial Men's Curling Championship. SaskTel became the title sponsor in 2004; the Tankard was previously known as the Macdonald Tankard (1927–1979), the Labatt Tankard (1980–1994), the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool Tankard (1995–2003), and the SaskTel Mobility Tankard (2004–2006).

Contents

Qualification and format

The number of teams participating and the format of the bonspiel has varied over the years. Until 2022, the SaskTel Tankard was a sixteen team-seeded triple knockout bonspiel with a page playoff system; the sixteen teams qualified as follows: [1]

  1. Six berths were awarded based on Southern and Northern Playdown qualifying events.
  2. Four berths were awarded to the highest ranked Saskatchewan teams from the national CTRS ranking.
  3. One berth was awarded to the highest ranked registered Saskatchewan team from the Saskatchewan Curling Tour (SCT).
  4. Four berths were awarded from SCT provincial berth bonspiels.
  5. One berth was awarded at the SaskTour Players' Championship.

At the provincial final, the A Event winner, B Event winner, and the two finalists of the C Event advanced to the page playoff. [1]

In 2022, the number of teams was reduced to twelve but the event remained a triple knockout with a page playoff. Qualification was also simplified to include the top four teams on the CTRS, the top four ranked teams on the SCT, and four teams qualifying through direct events, called the Men's Last Chance. [2]

To align more closely with the Brier, the format of the tournament was changed in 2024 with teams divided into two pools of six teams leading to a page playoff. [3] [2]

A draw at the 2024 SaskTel Tankard at the Nutana Curling Club in Saskatoon. Nutana '24 Tankard.jpg
A draw at the 2024 SaskTel Tankard at the Nutana Curling Club in Saskatoon.

Champions

The Saskatchewan Tankard has been contested annually since 1927, with the event cancelled only once, in 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [4]

Into the 1970s, two families were able to establish impressive records. A team of Campbells from Avonlea, skipped by Garnet Campbell, won their first Tankard in 1947, and won three more in the 1950s, along with the province's first national title at the 1955 Macdonald Brier in Regina. [5] Garnet would go on to form a productive partnership with Bob Pickering, winning another six Tankards for a record ten overall. Altogether, the six Campbells won twenty four Tankards between 1947 and 1971. [6] The Richardson family, led by skip Ernie Richardson out of Regina, won five Tankards in a six year span from 1959 to 1964, and went on to win four Brier titles and four world championships, including the first ever at the 1959 Scotch Cup. [7] Altogether, the Richardson clan won fourteen Tankards. The other two rinks who went on to Brier success were Harvey Mazinke's, who won the 1973 Macdonald Brier, and Rick Folk's, who won three consecutive Tankards and the 1980 Labatt Brier. [8]

In the twenty first century, Pat Simmons won four consecutive Tankards as a skip from 2005 to 2008, and a fifth in 2011 with Steve Laycock skipping but throwing third stones. [9] Laycock has won seven Tankards overall, including five as skip. [10] The most recent Tankard champion is Mike McEwen, who teamed up with former Tankard champions Colton Flasch, Kevin Marsh, and Dan Marsh. [11] The 2024 Montana's Brier will be McEwen's ninth, but his first representing Saskatchewan after previous entries with Manitoba and Ontario. [11]

List of champions

Teams in bold denote national championships

YearSkipThirdSecondLeadWinning club
2024 Mike McEwen Colton Flasch Kevin Marsh Dan Marsh Nutana Curling Club
2023 Kelly Knapp Brennen Jones Mike Armstrong Trent Knapp Highland Curling Club
2022 Colton Flasch Catlin Schneider Kevin MarshDan MarshNutana Curling Club
2021Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Saskatchewan.
Team Dunstone (Matt Dunstone, Braeden Moskowy, Kirk Muyres, Dustin Kidby) invited to represent Saskatchewan at Brier [4]
2020 Matt DunstoneBraeden MoskowyCatlin SchneiderDustin KidbyHighland Curling Club
2019 Kirk MuyresKevin MarshDan Marsh Dallan Muyres Nutana Curling Club
2018 Steve Laycock [lower-alpha 1] Matt DunstoneKirk MuyresDallan MuyresNutana Curling Club
2017 Adam Casey Catlin Schneider Shaun Meachem Dustin KidbyHighland Curling Club
2016 Steve LaycockKirk MuyresColton FlaschDallan MuyresNutana Curling Club
2015 Steve LaycockKirk MuyresColton FlaschDallan MuyresNutana Curling Club
2014 Steve LaycockKirk MuyresColton FlaschDallan MuyresNutana Curling Club
2013 Brock Virtue Braeden Moskowy Chris Schille D. J. Kidby Caledonian Curling Club
2012 Scott Manners Tyler Lang Ryan Deis Mike Armstrong Battleford Curling Club
2011 Steve Laycock [lower-alpha 2] Pat Simmons Brennen JonesDallan Muyres Tartan Curling Club
2010 Darrell McKee Bruce Korte Roger Korte Rob Markowsky Nutana Curling Club
2009 Joel Jordison Scott Bitz Aryn Schmidt Dean Hicke Bushell Park Curling Club
2008Pat Simmons Jeff Sharp Gerry Adam Steve Laycock Davidson Curling Club
2007Pat SimmonsJeff SharpGerry AdamSteve LaycockDavidson Curling Club
2006Pat SimmonsJeff Sharp Chris Haichert Ben Hebert Davidson Curling Club
2005Pat SimmonsJeff SharpChris HaichertBen HebertDavidson Curling Club
2004Bruce Korte Clint Dieno Roger Korte Rory Golanowski Muenster Curling Club
2003 Doug Harcourt Kevin Kalthoff Greg Harcourt Brian Wempe Quill Lake Curling Club
2002Scott Bitz Mark Lang Brian McCusker Kelly Moskowy Caledonian Curling Club
2001Doug HarcourtKevin KalthoffGreg HarcourtBrian Wempe Humboldt Curling Club
2000Bruce KorteDarrell McKeeRoger KorteRory Golanowski Granite Curling Club
1999 Gerald Shymko Gerry Adam Arnie Geisler Neil Cursons Yorkton Curling Club
1998 Rod Montgomery Glen Despins Dwayne Mihalicz Jeff Tait Hillcrest Curling Club
1997 Jim Packet Jeff Mosley Dallas Duce Ken Loeffler Estevan Curling Club
1996Rod MontgomeryGlen DespinsDwayne Mihalicz Sandy Forsyth Hillcrest Curling Club
1995 Brad Heidt Mark Dacey Wayne Charteris Dan Ormsby Kerrobert Curling Club
1994Doug HarcourtKevin KalthoffGreg HarcourtBrian WempeQuill Lake Curling Club
1993 Randy Woytowich Brian McCusker Wyatt Buck John Grundy Tartan Curling Club
1992 Brad Hebert Warren Sharp Bob Novakowski Kerry Gudereit Caledonian Curling Club
1991Randy WoytowichBrian McCuskerWyatt BuckJohn GrundyTartan Curling Club
1990 Jamie Schneider Rick Schneider Mike Schneider Larry Schneider Kronau Curling Club
1989Jim Packet Bob Doerr Lloyd Schmidt Dallas DuceEstevan Curling Club
1988 Eugene Hritzuk Del Shaughnessy Murray Soparlo Don Dabrowski Nutana Curling Club
1987 Don Gardiner Garry Krupski Ray Krupski Mark Krupski Lemberg Curling Club
1986 Lyle Muyres Warren Muyres Craig Muyres Garth Muyres Humboldt Curling Club
1985Eugene Hritzuk Bob Miller Nick Paulsen Art Paulsen Nutana Curling Club
1984 Gary Bryden Dale Graham Wilf Foss Jerry Zimmer Caledonian Curling Club
1983 Kirk Ziola Jim Packet Monte Ziola John GrundyEstevan Curling Club
1982Brad Heidt Wayne Charteris Jack Whetter Warren Rechenmacher Kerrobert Curling Club
1981 Bob Ellert Don Bushell Ken Berner Bill Wilson Assiniboia Curling Club
1980 Rick Folk Ron Mills Tom Wilson Jim Wilson Nutana Curling Club
1979Rick Folk Rod Thompson Tom WilsonJim WilsonNutana Curling Club
1978Rick FolkRod ThompsonTom Wilson Rodger Schmidt Nutana Curling Club
1977 Les Rogers Greg Manwaring Morris Tait Vic Rogers Caledonian Curling Club
1976 Roger Anholt Gordon Stewart Bob Hicks Bill Wilson Moose Jaw Country Club
1975 Harvey Mazinke Bill Martin George Achtymichuk Dan Klippenstein Regina Curling Club
1974 Larry McGrath Ron St. John Wayne St. John Rod St. John Kindersley Curling Club
1973Harvey MazinkeBill MartinGeorge AchtymichukDan KlippensteinRegina Curling Club
1972 Doug Wyatt Glen Farrell Murray Trapp Dale Zoerb Hub City Curling Club
1971 Bob Pickering Garnet Campbell Jack Keys Gary Ford Avonlea Curling Club
1970Bob PickeringGarnet CampbellJack KeysGary FordAvonlea Curling Club
1969Bob PickeringGarnet Campbell Jim Thomas Gary FordAvonlea Curling Club
1968Bob PickeringJack KeysGarnet CampbellGary FordAvonlea Curling Club
1967 Doug Wankel Art Knutson Gay Knutson Elmer Knutson Elbow Curling Club
1966Bob PickeringJack KeysGarnet Campbell Glen Campbell Avonlea Curling Club
1965 Harold Worth Elmer MacNevin Murray Armstrong Gary Stevenson Hub City Curling Club
1964 Ernie Richardson Arnold Richardson Garnet Richardson Wes Richardson Regina Curling Club
1963Ernie RichardsonArnold RichardsonGarnet Richardson Mel Perry Regina Curling Club
1962Ernie RichardsonArnold RichardsonGarnet RichardsonWes RichardsonRegina Curling Club
1961Jack KeysGarnet CampbellBob PickeringGlen CampbellAvonlea Curling Club
1960Ernie RichardsonArnold RichardsonGarnet RichardsonWes Richardson Regina Civil Service Club
1959Ernie RichardsonArnold RichardsonGarnet RichardsonWes RichardsonRegina Civil Service Club
1958 Gordon Grimes R. John Sutherland Syd Gardiner Stu St. John Eston Curling Club
1957Garnet CampbellGlen Campbell Don Campbell Lloyd Campbell Avonlea Curling Club
1956 Jim Hill Harold Worth Elmer MacNevin Don Morris Delisle Curling Club
1955Garnet CampbellDon CampbellGlen CampbellLloyd CampbellAvonlea Curling Club
1954Garnet CampbellDon CampbellGlen Campbell Gordon Campbell Avonlea Curling Club
1953Jim Hill Jack Bentley Harold Worth Elmer MacNevin Delisle Curling Club
1952 Frank Hastings Nels Witherow Alvin Turner Fritz Ostberg Nipawan Curling Club
1951 Johnny Franklin Cliff Annable George Heartwell Harold Lloyd Rosetown Curling Club
1950 Ernie Whitter Buster Ortloff Bill Whitter Jim Whitter Prince Albert Curling Club
1949 Harold Horeak Edward Richter John Heaney Ernest Kittleson Caledonian Curling Club
1948 Cliff Annable Johnny Franklin Bill Heartwell John Sansom Rosetown Curling Club
1947Garnet CampbellGlen CampbellLloyd Campbell Sandy Campbell Avonlea Curling Club
1946 Dalt Henderson Jack Brower Cliff Annable Monty Burns Nutana Curling Club
1945 W. H. Hain D. S. Craighton Hi Green Fred Martin Saskatoon
1944 Jack Forsythe Herb Clement Percy Clement Rollie Postlewaite Saskatoon
1943 S. Glover Doug Cook Bergie Bergstrom Cec George Saskatoon
1942 Johnny Franklin Fraser Heartwell John D. Lang John SansomRosetown Curling Club
1941 Bill Dunbar Bert McMahon Jimmy Beckett A. E. McMahon Kinley Curling Club
1940Bill DunbarBert McMahonJimmy Beckett E. Ronald Eaton Kinley Curling Club
1939 George Dunbar Jack Brower F. Robert Glass James A. L. McNeill Prince Albert Curling Club
1938 Manfield Humphries Jack BrowerGeorge Dunbar Sudbury Reed Prince Albert Curling Club
1937 Frank Smith William J. Turner Earl Gordon West Archibald H. Graham Moose Jaw Curling Club
1936 Les Youngstown Dave Clayton Charles Gardner Jr. C. A. McNevin Regina Curling Club
1935 J. S. "Jimmy" Black [12] Frank Germaine Sid Peat Reg Fraser Nutana Curling Club
1934 Charles Anderson R. B. McLeod Edward Robertson Pat McNeill Nutana Curling Club
1933 Cliff McLachlan Fred Hayes William Stuart Bill Baum Rosthern Curling Club
1932 Carl Battell Frank R. Smith Pallie Pascoe Jim MacDonald Moose Jaw Curling Club
1931 Jack Miller Bill McArter Bert Barbour Percy Young Saskatoon Curling Club
1930 Bob McLeod Bill McArter Rube Watts Alex Scollon Granite Curling Club
1929 Dick Ross Ash Parkinson A. Smith W. Nesbitt Regina Curling Club
1928 W. L. McGillivray Fred Graham Ralph Teasdale C. S. Pace Regina Curling Club
1927 Oswald Barkwell Alf Hill Hector Hay Pete Wilken Yellow Grass Curling Club

Notes

  1. Team was skipped by Laycock, but Dunstone threw fourth stones. [10]
  2. Team was skipped by Laycock, but Simmons threw fourth stones and the team was known as Team Simmons. [9]

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References

  1. 1 2 "SaskTel Tankard". curlsask.ca. CURLSASK. Archived from the original on 11 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 "SaskTel Tankard". curlsask.ca. CURLSASK. Archived from the original on 19 January 2024. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  3. Shynkaruk, Carla (31 January 2024). "12 teams face off for SaskTel Tankard". CTV News Saskatoon. Archived from the original on 31 January 2024. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  4. 1 2 Heroux, Devin (14 January 2021). "Saskatchewan cancels curling provincials after health officials reject curling bubble". CBC Sports . Archived from the original on 16 January 2021.
  5. "Former Brier champ Garnet Campbell dies". CBC Sports. The Canadian Press. 3 January 2012. Archived from the original on 17 March 2016. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  6. "Campbell, Garnet". curling.ca. The Canadian Curling Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on 13 February 2014. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  7. Baird, Craig (7 February 2017). "Ernie Richardson led his family rink to international curling dominance". Regina Leader-Post . Archived from the original on 10 January 2019. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  8. "1980 Rick Folk Curling Team". Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on 1 May 2023. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  9. 1 2 Cey, Trent (8 February 2011). "Pat Simmons is five-time Tankard champ". Battleford News Optimist. Archived from the original on 20 May 2022 via Sask Today.
  10. 1 2 "Laycock wins SaskTel Tankard over Flasch". Sask Today. 4 February 2018. Archived from the original on 5 February 2024. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  11. 1 2 "Mike McEwen claims 6th men's provincial curling title, 1st in Sask". CBC News . 4 February 2024. Archived from the original on 5 February 2024. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  12. "Black's Rink Triumphs in Brier Final". Saskatoon Star-Phoenix. 20 February 1935. p. 10. Retrieved 19 April 2022.