Brendan Bottcher, the renowned skip from Calgary, is moving on from his team after two seasons of notable achievements. Bottcher’s departure was announced alongside a decision by his teammates—third Marc Kennedy, second Brett Gallant, lead Ben Hebert, and coach Paul Webster—to pursue a new direction for the upcoming season. The announcement marks a significant shift for the team as they plan to explore new options at the skip position.
In a statement, the team expressed their decision to make a change and indicated that they will be evaluating potential candidates for the skip role in the near future. Bottcher, reflecting on his departure, conveyed his best wishes to his former teammates. He emphasized his enthusiasm for the future of curling and his personal career. Bottcher noted that curling is experiencing a “golden era” with growing fan engagement and increased global interest.
Although Bottcher did not elaborate on his future plans, he expressed excitement about what lies ahead for both curling in Canada and his own journey. His statement hinted at potential developments with a new version of Team Bottcher, though specifics were not provided.
Bottcher, a 32-year-old from Spruce Grove, Alberta, had a remarkable tenure with his team, which he built with Kennedy, Gallant, and Hebert—each a former Olympian and world champion. Since their formation in 2022, the team secured two Grand Slam of Curling titles, winning the Co-op Canadian Open and the Champions Cup in their debut season. Last season, Bottcher’s team reached two Grand Slam finals but fell short in both, finishing as runners-up in the HearingLife Tour Challenge and the Co-op Canadian Open. They also claimed victory in three tour events early in the season and briefly held the No. 1 world ranking.
The team’s recent performance at the Princess Auto Players’ Championship saw them miss the playoffs, ending with a 2-3 record. Despite this, they have secured a pre-qualifier spot for the upcoming Montana’s Brier. As Bottcher steps away, the curling community eagerly anticipates his next move and the future of his reformed team.