Team Carruthers will be looking for a new second place after Derek Samagalski takes a step back

WINNIPEG – Team Reid Carruthers has begun the search for a new second following Derek Samagalski’s decision to step back from the rink in Winnipeg.

Carruthers, vice Catlin Schneider, Samagalski and leader Connor Njegovan were in their first season together as a foursome. Schneider joined the team last spring after the departure of Brad Jacobs.

Samagalski, 40, made nine national men’s championship appearances and played parts of 14 seasons at Carruthers. They won the first two editions (2022, ’23) of the PointsBet Invitational together and took the Champions Cup crown in 2016.

In a social media post on Tuesday confirming the news, Carruthers said Samagalski was a dedicated teammate and a good friend.

Team Carruthers is currently ranked 12th in the world and returns to the ice starting Friday at the Red Deer Curling Classic.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 12, 2024.