E.J. Harnden joins Matt Dunstone’s team at second
The Harnden brothers are reunited.
Winnipeg skip Matt Dunstone announced Sunday his team has added E.J. Harnden to throw second stones.
Ryan Harnden, E.J.’s brother, plays lead on the team. Colton Lott will shift from second to third to accommodate E.J.’s arrival.
“I am honoured to be joining Team Dunstone,” Harnden said in a release. “I have always had a ton of respect for both Matt and Colton, and obviously, it will be special to be alongside Ryan again.
“This team has a great mix of experience, youth, as well as talent. I also love the passion and energy everyone brings to the ice. I am truly looking forward to what lies ahead.”
The move comes three days after Team Dunstone split with third B.J. Neufeld following two-and-a-half seasons.
The Harnden brothers won the gold medal at the 2014 Olympics plus the 2013 Brier and seven Grand Slam of Curling titles while playing for their cousin, skip Brad Jacobs. After the team disbanded in 2022, Ryan Harnden joined Team Dunstone while E.J. Harnden linked up with skip Brad Gushue.
E.J. Harnden won two more Grand Slam championships plus back-to-back Brier titles with Team Gushue, but the St. John’s, N.L., club settled for silver medals both times at the world championship.
Team Gushue and Harnden parted ways in October. The 41-year-old from Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., filled in for Neufeld during the Red Deer Curling Classic last month, playing second as Lott shifted to third, and helped Team Dunstone win the title.
Although the addition means the team will have two out-of-province import players, Dunstone does not have to worry about residency restrictions having already pre-qualified for the Brier based on last season’s CTRS points.
Dunstone, No. 8 in the world rankings, missed the playoffs in the Grand Slam’s KIOTI National last weekend in St. John’s, N.L.
The team’s next event is the Nutrien Ag Showdown, Dec. 12-15, in Swift Current, Sask.