Two Peace Country-raised curlers will be back together again come this fall.
Dawson Creek’s Jason Ginter and Fort St. John's Sterling Middleton will be part of the Jacques Gauthier rink along with Victoria’s Alex Horvath beginning next season.
“A pretty strong team. Still pretty young guys, all of us in our twenties,” says Middleton in describing the new foursome. “Looking to play lots, build together as a team and, like last year, try to get back up that list on the world curling tour.”
He figures they’ll play as many as ten events, maybe more, depending on schedules.
As for his teammates, Middleton says they not only know each other well on circuit, but have also played together in some combination, just not on the same team at the same time.
“Jacques and I have been buddies for quite a few years. He came with us (Team Tardi) as our alternate to the World Juniors in Scotland in 2018. He also played for us in one of the Grand Slam events that season.”
Gauthier is currently living in Winnipeg.
Ginter, who will curl second, is also no stranger to Middleton.
Jason is the son of current Dawson Creek Curling Club general manager Jeff Ginter.
“When I first started curling, right out of the gates, I was, like, twelve years old,” recalls Middleton when he first competed against Ginter. “His team was a bit older, 17, 18-years-old. I’ve lost my fair share of games to Jason. Kinda funny how things have come full circle.”
“He’s a really positive guy on the ice,” explains Middleton. “A lot of great input and experience to bring that would differ from the rest of the guys. He’s a fantastic sweeper and team player.”
The final member of the team, Alex Horvath, played with Team Tardi from 2018 to 2020.
“He’s a really fun guy to be around, played every position throughout juniors and mens. He wants to specialize at lead, and, I think, that’s where his best fit is.”
“The whole team, we’re all quite comfortable to be with each other,” adds Middleton. “We’re gonna get along off the ice too. Pretty similar personalities.”
While the four have yet to be in one place, including when they made their social media announcement April 1, they’re hoping to meet up in Edmonton in July.
Ginter currently calls Edmonton home.
Although their skip lives in Manitoba, and Ginter is based in Alberta, Middleton says the foursome will be under the B.C. banner.
With Middleton living in New Westminster and Horvath in Victoria, they meet the requirements to represent the province.
