Brendan Bottcher, the renowned skip from Calgary, has announced that he is leaving his team after two seasons of notable achievements. In a recent statement, Bottcher’s team, including third Marc Kennedy, second Brett Gallant, lead Ben Hebert, and coach Paul Webster, revealed their decision to change the skip position for the upcoming season. This move marks a significant shift as they seek new directions for the future.
Bottcher himself addressed the change, expressing his support for his former teammates while also highlighting his excitement for what lies ahead. “My passion for the future of curling and my own journey has never been stronger,” Bottcher stated. He emphasized the sport’s rapid evolution and growing global interest, suggesting that curling is on the verge of a golden era.
While Bottcher did not disclose his specific plans for the future, he conveyed optimism about the next chapter for Team Bottcher and Canadian curling. He concluded his message by expressing anticipation for upcoming developments both in his career and the broader curling scene.
During his tenure with Kennedy, Gallant, and Hebert, Bottcher’s team achieved significant milestones. They secured two Grand Slam of Curling titles in their inaugural season together, winning both the Co-op Canadian Open and the Champions Cup. In the 2023-24 season, Bottcher’s team made it to two Grand Slam finals, finishing as runners-up in both the HearingLife Tour Challenge and the Co-op Canadian Open. They also enjoyed a strong start to the season, winning three tour events and holding the top spot in the world rankings for four weeks in the fall.
The team’s recent season concluded at the Princess Auto Players’ Championship, where they fell short of the playoffs with a 2-3 record. Despite this, they have secured a spot in the pre-qualifier for next year’s Montana’s Brier. As Bottcher moves forward, the curling community eagerly awaits his next steps and the continued evolution of the sport in Canada.