Long-term goals!

Debut Montana’s Brier appearance sets up Saskatchewan’s Team Kleiter with new opportunities in 2025

It might be Rylan Kleiter’s first appearance at the 2025 Montana’s Brier, presented by AGI, but that doesn’t mean he’s just happy to be here.

The 26-year-old skip helped his team improve to 2-1 on Monday afternoon at Prospera Place in Kelowna, B.C. The Saskatoon-based unit dispatched Team Aaron Bartling of the Northwest Territories (0-3; Hay River) with an 8-2 win.

Short-term, the win keeps Kleiter, third Joshua Mattern, second/vice-skip Matt Hall, lead Trevor Johnson, alternate John Mattern and coach Dean Kleiter in the hunt for one of three playoff berths available in Pool B at the 2025 Montana’s Brier.

Long-term, it helps the young NextGen-funded team accumulate some oh-so-precious Canadian Team Rankings System (CTRS) points that will all but assure the team a spot at the upcoming 2025 Canadian Curling Pre-Trials (Oct. 20-26 at Wolfville, N.S.) or perhaps a direct berth to the 2025 Montana’s Canadian Curling Trials (Nov. 22-30 at Halifax) if all goes according to plan this week.

In 2021, his hometown of Saskatoon hosted the Canadian Trials. While he sat in the stands, there was little doubt in his mind he wanted to be on that ice four years later in Halifax.

“I was thinking about how I want to be there next time. We’ve been working hard and trying to get there for the next one,” Kleiter said.

Two years ago, Team Kleiter finished the season ranked 18th in Canada. Since then, it has skyrocketed 12 spots in the standings to sixth overall and has overcome the likes of teams led by Kevin Koe and Reid Carruthers. 

“I think it comes down to hard work. We spend a lot of time in the gym and a lot of time on the ice. I think that’s what’s helped take us to the next level now,” Kleiter said. 

Saskatchewan started the game against the Territories with hammer and scored its first points in the second end with a hit for two. After a blanked third, the Northwest Territories allowed a steal of three after missing a hit, narrowly ticking a top-house stone. 

The Northwest Territories scored a single heading into the fifth-end break and Saskatchewan’s Team Kleiter replied with a deuce in the sixth and forced its opponents to one in the seventh.

After a blanked eighth, Team Kleiter had a family moment on the ice. Alternate John Mattern subbed in to play with his son, third Joshua, for an end. Saskatchewan scored a single, and the Northwest Territories conceded.

For Kleiter, this victory was another step in the right direction.

“I think we’re putting the games together as a team. We’re really managing rocks well and putting them in the right spots where they need to be. I think if we just continue to do that and get a little bit more precise each game, we’ll be doing well,” he said. 

In other Draw 8 action, Saskatchewan’s Team Mike McEwen (4-0; Saskatoon) stayed perfect with a 9-4 win against Quebec’s Team Félix Asselin (2-2; Glenmore/Valleyfield/Etchemin/Des Collines/Belvedere); Alberta’s Team Brad Jacobs (3-0; Calgary) kept pace with a 10-3 victory against Prince Edward Island’s Team Tyler Smith (0-4; Crapaud); and Ontario’s Team Sam Mooibroek (3-1; Whitby) ousted Yukon’s Team Thomas Scoffin (1-3; Whitehorse) with a 9-3 win.

Nova Scotia’s Team Owen Purcell (1-2; Halifax) had the Monday afternoon Pool B bye. 

The Montana’s Brier continues Monday with draw at 6:30 p.m. (all times Pacific).

Live scoring, standings and statistics for the 2025 Montana’s Brier are available at www.curling.ca/scoreboard/.

TSN and RDS2 will provide complete coverage of the 2025 Montana’s Brier. CLICK HERE for the complete schedule.

For ticket information for the 2025 Montana’s Brier, go to www.curling.ca/2025brier/tickets/

This story will be available in French as soon as possible at www.curling.ca/2025brier/nouvelles/?lang=fr