The lineup changes continue in the curling world as Matt Dunstone’s team announced Thursday it has parted ways with third B.J. Neufeld.
A replacement player was not immediately named.
Neufeld joined Dunstone, second Colton Lott and lead Ryan Harnden at the start of the Olympic cycle in 2022, helping the team earn silver at the Brier in 2023.
The Winnipeg-based club is currently ranked No. 8 in the world rankings.
Before joining Team Dunstone, Neufeld won seven Grand Slam of Curling men’s titles with skip Mike McEwen. The 38-year-old from Winnipeg also captured the Brier and world championship silver medal with skip Kevin Koe in 2019.
“Although I’m sad and disappointed I’m no longer a part of Team Dunstone, I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to battle alongside some of the best humans in the game,” Neufeld said in a release.
“The bonds and friendships that I have fostered with this team is something I hold very dear to my heart, and I wish all the success in the world for all of you.
“Excited to see where my curling journey will take me next.”
The Canadian men’s curling scene has had a flurry of activity this year that was kickstarted after Brendan Bottcher’s teammates — third Marc Kennedy, second Brett Gallant and lead Ben Hebert — decided to move in a different direction during the off-season and linked up with skip Brad Jacobs, who had departed Reid Carruthers’s team.
Brad Gushue parted ways with second E.J. Harnden, brother of Ryan Harnden, and added Bottcher in October.
Kevin Koe also made changes, dropping second Jacques Gauthier. Koe added former skip Aaron Sluchinski at third with Tyler Tardi shifting over to second.
E.J. Harnden filled in for Neufeld during the Red Deer Curling Classic tour event last month and helped Team Dunstone win the title.
Dunstone missed the playoffs at the Grand Slam’s Kioti National last week in St. John’s, N.L.
Dunstone’s next event is the Nutrien Ag Showdown, Dec. 12-15, in Swift Current, Sask.
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