Nineteen curling rinks are coming to North Battleford to keep their hopes alive in their quest to win a provincial men’s title.
The Twin Rivers Curling Club will play host to the SaskTel Men’s Northern Qualifier starting Thursday, which will see four teams earn spots at the provincial playdowns in Tisdale from Feb. 1 to 5.
North Battleford curling fans will have a rink of their own to cheer on during the week.
Drew Heidt, who is joined on his team by third Jesse St. John, second Cole Tenetuik and lead Chadd McKenzie, will begin their journey through the triple-knockout format at 7 p.m. Thursday against Murray Sunderland of Tisdale.
There will also be a number of other area skips vying for a spot at the provincials.
They include Ryan Armstrong of Lashburn, Lloyd Fell of Unity and Spiritwood’s Garrett Reddekopp and Terry Thompson.
Also competing will be Darren Camm, Scott Bitz, Brayden Stewart, Brady Scharback and Tyler Travis of Saskatoon, Scott Comfort of Wadena, Lawrence Corrigal and Harold Morin of Ile a la Crosse, Jordan Henry and Doug Phelps of Prince Albert, Terry Marteniuk of Yorkton, Lionel Holm of Watrous and Jonah Sweatman of La Ronge.
The event will get underway at 1 p.m. Thursday and will wrap up at 1 p.m. Sunday.
This is one of two regional qualifiers for the men’s tankard, with two other spots up for grabs at the South Provincial Qualifier in Assiniboia this weekend.
Eight teams have already qualified for the provincials, which will see Saskatoon’s Steve Laycock go for his fourth straight title.
Fellow Saskatoon skips Bruce Korte, Dale Craig, Jason Jacobson and Kody Hartung will also be in Tisdale.
Also locked into the field are Randy Bryden and Shaun Meachem of Regina, Brad Heidt of Kerrobert, Ryan Deis of Fox Valley and Carl deConnick Smith of Rosetown.
The winner of the provincials will go on to represent Saskatchewan at the Tim Hortons Brier in St. John’s, N.L. in March.
