Purcell, Asselin early Brier entries after winning provincial men’s curling finals [Video]

Nova Scotia’s Owen Purcell and Quebec’s Felix Asselin joined the Canadian men’s curling championship field by winning their respective provincial finals Sunday.

Purcell, who defeated Kendall Thompson 8-5 in Halifax, will make his debut as skip at the Montana’s Brier in Kelowna, B.C.

Asselin’s 9-3 victory over Robert Desjardins in Alma, Que., marks the return of his third and former Canadian champ Jean-Michel Menard to the Brier.

Menard, the 2006 national champion and world silver medallist, stepped back from men’s competitive curling in 2018 before joining Asselin’s team this season. Asselin makes his fifth Brier appearance and second as skip after going 5-3 in 2023.

Purcell and Asselin were among the first provincial and territorial representatives determined for the 18-team field Feb. 28 to March 9 in Kelowna.

Six-time champ Brad Gushue of St. John’s, N.L., has already punched his Brier ticket as defending champion.

Teams skipped by Brad Jacobs, …