Mike McEwen’s Saskatchewan foursome has qualified for the playoffs at the Canadian Curling Championship in Kelowna, B.C.
Team McEwen, from the Nutana Curling Club in Saskatoon, is attempting to end Saskatchewan's Brier championship drought, which dates back to 1980 when Rick Folk claimed the title.
The Saskatchewan team is pulling out all the stops for success, including honouring a superstition that started in 2024 when the Brier was held in their home province.
Identical twins Kevin and Dan Marsh, the lead and second for Team McEwen, are wearing Roughriders gloves when they sweep.
The pair were first introduced to them on a Mosaic Stadium tour before last year’s Brier in Regina, . Team McEwen finished second with the Marshes wearing the gloves throughout the competition, which they have done ever since visiting the Riders home stadium.
While most sweepers don’t wear gloves, the Marsh brothers were drawn to the added grip the gloves provide on the shaft of the broom. That extra hold allows them to apply more pressure to the broom head, which in turn allows them to better manipulate rocks.
Curling Canada does not regulate the use of gloves and football gloves are slowly gaining popularity among the players. However, the Marsh brothers are the only team to use a specific team-branded set that allows them to show off their Rider pride.
The Brier crowns a champion over the weekend.
