HearingLife Canadian Open Insights: Hammy McMillan Jr. Discusses Team Mouat’s Remarkable Fairy Tale Journey

In recent curling events, Team Mouat, led by Bruce Mouat, has showcased remarkable performances, especially following a challenging period at Merlis Belsher Place. Previously, the squad had faced disappointment, missing the cut during the Masters two years ago. Since then, they have excelled in the Grand Slam of Curling series, securing seven men’s titles out of 10 events and consistently reaching the playoffs.

HearingLife Tour Challenge Success

In their latest outing at the HearingLife Tour Challenge, Team Mouat achieved a 7-4 victory against Team Casper from the United States. With this win, they maintained a perfect 3-0 record, ensuring their place in the playoffs for the 11th consecutive Grand Slam event.

The Fairy Tale Journey

Hammy McMillan Jr., the lead for Team Mouat, expressed the team’s evolution, describing their last two years as akin to a fairy tale. The turning point, he noted, came during the 2024 World Men’s Curling Championship in Schaffhausen, Switzerland, where they reassessed their goals and found consistency.

• Team Mouat aims for a third consecutive Grand Slam title.
• Previous titles included back-to-back wins at the CO-OP Tour Challenge and KIOTI GSOC Tahoe.
• The team’s identity is heavily tied to their success in Grand Slam events.

Upcoming Goals and Challenges

As 2025 approaches, McMillan highlighted the importance of concluding the year on a high note with potential participation in the Players’ Championship in January and the Olympics in February. He described this week as crucial for their season.

The Match Overview

In the match against Team Casper, the latter played without their regular skip, Danny Casper. Rich Ruohonen stepped in as skip, while Luc Violette managed the last-rock duties. Team Mouat started strong, flipping the hammer early in the game and building a lead that proved insurmountable for Team Casper.

• Mouat scored a tap for two points early on, gaining a 2-1 lead.
• Team Casper struggled to recover from an early deficit and ultimately finished with a 0-3 record in the tournament.

Rock League Announcements

The Curling Group recently unveiled plans for the 2026 and 2027 Rock League seasons. This new mixed-gender league will consist of six franchises, each featuring both male and female curlers. Notable figures like Jennifer Jones and John Morris are involved in team strategy and player selection.

Team Alpine and Upcoming Events

McMillan will join the Alpine Curling Club, which boasts a strong roster, including captain Alina Pätz and general manager Eve Muirhead. The league is gearing up for a preview season from April 6-12, 2026, in Toronto, followed by an extended season in 2027.

Summary of Recent Draws

With their sights set on further victories, Team Mouat continues to solidify their legacy in the world of curling, paving the way for both upcoming generations and current fans of the sport.