By The Canadian Press

E.J. Harnden soaks in last Brier hurrah with brother Ryan

Mar 5, 2026 | 4:00 AM

ST. JOHN’S — The Harnden brothers expect there will be tears, whenever it ends.

E.J. Harnden’s impending retirement makes the 2026 Montana’s Brier the last of 14 he’s played with younger brother Ryan.

“I’m trying really hard to just stay in the moment for myself, but there’ll be a lot of tears when it all ends at the end of this ride,” said E.J.

E.J. and Ryan Harnden from Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., won a Brier in 2013 and an Olympic gold medal in 2014 playing second and lead respectively for Brad Jacobs.

The 42-year-old E.J. announced in December this season was his last as a competitive curler.

He joined another high-profile curler, six-time Canadian champion Brad Gushue, in declaring this year’s Brier his last.

Harnden’s sticking to his retirement plans even if his team skipped by Matt Dunstone wins in St. John’s, N.L., and earns the right to return as defending champions to next year’s Canadian championship in Saskatoon.

“No, I wouldn’t change my mind,” E.J. said. “What a way to go though right? What a way to end it.”

Ryan, 39, says he’s only jokingly suggested E.J. shouldn’t retire.

“It’s tough, but being his brother, I know he’s ready,” Ryan said.

“Definitely leading up this, visualizing the two of us having a moment and taking our time leaving that ice, hopefully at the end of the week we’re Brier champions and we’ve got one more event to go.”

Sunday’s victor in St. John’s represents Canada at the men’s world championship March 27 to April 4 in Ogden, Utah.

Dunstone, vice Colton Lott and the Harndens were positioned to make the Brier playoffs with a 5-1 record heading into Thursday’s final day of pool play.

A 13th playoff appearance at a Brier would rank the Harndens behind only Gushue and Mark Nichols (17) and Glenn Howard (14), and tied with Ben Hebert.

E.J.’s shooting percentage of 88 per cent ranked second to Brett Gallant among seconds in St. John’s.

E.J.’s runback double takeout earlier in the week for Dunstone to lie two was the stuff of curling highlight reels.

“That’s the way I want to end my career, is knowing that I can still play,” E.J. said.

“Don’t get me wrong, there were times where I was out there and I’m like ‘I think I could still do this’ and then I was like ‘no, I know it’s time.'”

He and his brother compete at a level of curling that requires constant training and travel.

“I’ve missed a lot of things with my children and they’re getting older,” E.J. explained. “My daughter is almost 11. My son just turned 8.

“I miss multiple dance competitions for my daughter that I’m not there for. I miss a bunch of hockey and baseball stuff with my son. I’m at a point now where I feel like there’s a different part of life that I want to experience.”

Dunstone hasn’t tried to talk Harnden out of his decision.

“Not my place to do that,” the skip said. “He’s got his reasons. He’s got a young family he wants to be around. And what the hell else is there for him to do in this sport? He’s done it all.”

When Jacobs, Marc Kennedy and the Harndens disbanded in 2022, E.J. joined Gushue’s team at second.

They won Canadian titles and world championship silver medals in both 2023 and 2024.

Ryan played for Dunstone, who has been a Brier runner-up two of the last three years, as well as a finalist in last year’s Olympic trials.

The siblings reunited early in 2024 when E.J. and Gushue parted company.

They continue to be a formidable front end in men’s curling.

“There’s no better way that I’d rather end my career than playing alongside Ryan,” E.J. said.

“The majority of my career and Ryan’s career has been spent alongside one another to experience Briers and world championships and Olympic gold-medal moments, and being on the podium with Ryan is extremely special.

“What a better way to end my career than alongside Ryan and hopefully on top of one more podium, standing next to one another.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 5, 2026.

Donna Spencer, The Canadian Press