2015 Brier: Brad Jacobs rink favoured
A team-by-team look at who's competing in Calgary
Reigning Olympic champion Brad Jacobs and his Northern Ontario rink are the favourites to win a second Canadian title in three years at the Tim Hortons Brier, which begins Saturday in Calgary.
Here's a look at the field:
Team Canada — Defending champions recruited a big name to replace skip Kevin Koe, but John Morris and company are light on games played together compared to other teams.
British Columbia — Skip Jim Cotter has big-game experience throwing fourth stones for Morris in the 2014 Brier final and the 2013 Olympic trials final.
Alberta — Kevin Koe's new team is a who's who of Canadian men's curling. Third Marc Kennedy and lead Ben Hebert won 2010 Olympic gold with Kevin Martin. Second Brent Laing is a two-time world champion with Glenn Howard.
Saskatchewan — Former world junior champion Steve Laycock just missed the playoffs last year in his Brier debut as skip with a 6-5 record.
Manitoba — Reid Carruthers twice beat Mike McEwen, who has the top-ranked team men's team in Canada, to win the provincial playdowns.
Northern Ontario — Reigning Olympic champion Brad Jacobs a favourite to win a second Canadian title in three years.
Ontario — Mark Kean leads the Brier's youngest team with an average age of 24. Lead Scott Howard is the son of former Canadian and world champion Glenn Howard.
Quebec — Jean-Michel Menard was the first francophone skip and just the second team from Quebec to win the Brier in 2006.
New Brunswick — Chartered accountant Jeremy Mallais makes his Brier debut after toppling perennial provincial rep James Grattan.
Nova Scotia — Under the new format, Glen MacLeod's team has to beat the Yukon and P.E.I. to get into the Brier's main draw.
Prince Edward Island — See above. Adam Casey played on Brad Gushue's front end in three straight Briers before forming this young team.
Newfoundland and Labrador — Olympic gold medallists in 2006, Brad Gushue and third Mark Nichols reunited this season and have won a pair of Grand Slams.
Yukon — Each territory can have its own team under the new format. Bob Smallwood -- curling under the name of Robert Andrews -- skipped the Yukon to a 2-9 record two decades ago.
Northwest Territories — Kevin's brother Jamie skipped his teaminto the playoffs for the first time in 2012 with 7-4 record, but posted a 3-8 record in 2014.
Nunavut — No entry.