Veteran skip Brad Jacobs leaves Team Carruthers, joins former Bottcher teammates

Veteran skip Brad Jacobs leaves Team Carruthers, joins former Bottcher teammates

WINNIPEG — Veteran skip Brad Jacobs’s time as a free agent didn’t last long.

Jacobs is joining third Marc Kennedy, second Brett Gallant and lead Ben Hebert for next season — former teammates of Brendan Bottcher who are based in Alberta. Kennedy made the announcement on social media Wednesday evening.

“Looking forward to playing with a familiar face!” Kennedy said as part of his announcement that Jacobs would be joining the team.

“Me too Marc! Excited for the new challenge,” Jacobs said in response.

Jacobs and Kennedy played together from 2019-22 and won three consecutive Grand Slam titles in their first season as teammates.

The move comes after Jacobs announced earlier Wednesday that he was parting ways with Reid Carruthers and his Manitoba-based curling team. It also comes a day after Edmonton’s Bottcher parted ways with his team after a two-year run.

Jacobs joined the team based near Winnipeg, which also includes second Derek Samagalski and lead Connor Njegovan, midway through the 2022-23 season as a replacement for former third Jason Gunnlaugson.

He became a permanent member of the team this season and took over as skip when he swapped roles with Carruthers in December.

“It is with mixed emotions that I have decided to part ways with Reid, Derek, Connor and (coach Rob Meakin),” Jacobs said in a statement on social media. “It is never easy nor enjoyable to make these tough decisions.

“They welcomed me with open arms, treated me like family, were incredible teammates and friends.”

Team Carruthers appeared in the Canadian men’s championship in February after winning Manitoba’s provincial playdown. The squad most recently finished 2-3 and out of the playoffs at last week’s season-ending Grand Slam of Curling Players’ Championship.

“Brad was a huge part in our team’s success, including representing Manitoba at the 2024 Brier, and we wish him all the best in the future,” Team Carruthers said in a statement.

Jacobs won the 2013 Brier and 2014 Olympic men’s curling gold medal with a team based out of his hometown of Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., before stepping away from the sport in March 2020.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 17, 2024.

The Canadian Press