The Curling World is Shaking Up North of the Border!
In a move that could dramatically reshape the Northern Ontario men's curling scene, the 2025 champions are disbanding—at least in their current lineup. But here's where it gets intriguing: Skip John Epping, who fell to Sandy MacEwan in last month's provincial playdowns in North Bay, and Dryden’s Ian McMillan are staying together, while Sudbury’s Tanner and Jake Horgan are parting ways to explore new curling ventures. This shift isn’t just about team dynamics—it’s about the future of curling in the region.
And this is the part most people miss: Epping, based in Toronto, will need to recruit two Northern Ontario-eligible curlers to continue competing for the region’s Brier spot. Meanwhile, the Horgan brothers, who previously teamed up with Jordan Chandler and Ryan Harnden to win the 2022 championship in Sudbury, will also need at least one Northern Ontario-eligible player to enter the playdowns. Their 2023 defeat to Thunder Bay’s Trevor Bonot led to their merger with Epping, but now they’re charting their own course again.
In a statement, the team hinted at a bold new chapter: “Ian and John will now explore options as the team looks ahead, with the focus on building on recent successes and continuing the push to remain in the world’s top 10. Stay tuned for a new-look Team Epping heading into the 2026/2027 season.”
Currently ranked eighth in the World Curling rankings and third in Canada behind Matt Dunstone and Brad Jacobs, Team Epping’s future is a hot topic. But here’s the controversial question: Will Epping’s Toronto roots complicate his ability to rebuild a Northern Ontario-eligible team? And what does this mean for the Horgan brothers, who are now free agents in a region with limited top-tier talent? This reshuffling could either elevate Northern Ontario’s curling scene or leave it fragmented. What’s your take? Do you think Epping can maintain his team’s elite status, or will the Horgans emerge as new contenders? Let’s debate in the comments!
