Former Brier Champion Jean-Michel Ménard Returns to Elite Men’s Curling
Calgary — Jean-Michel Ménard is back on the Canadian men’s curling stage. The first francophone skip from Quebec to win a national men’s championship has returned this season playing third for Félix Asselin.
Ménard, who defeated Glenn Howard in the 2006 Brier final in Regina, also earned a silver medal at the world championship in Lowell, Massachusetts. With 119 games over 11 career Brier appearances, including 10 as a skip, Ménard is one of the most accomplished players in Canadian curling.
Stepping back from men’s curling in 2018 to prioritize family life, Ménard continued to play in mixed curling and claimed a Canadian mixed team championship in 2021, playing alongside his wife, Annie Lemay, an eight-time provincial women’s champion. The couple went on to win the 2022 World Mixed Championship in Aberdeen, Scotland.
Now, Ménard is back in men’s curling after receiving a call from former teammate Martin Créte in February, offering him a full-time position with Asselin’s team. Initially thinking it was a request to spare in a bonspiel, Ménard embraced the opportunity to contribute as Asselin’s vice-skip. “I think I still have some shots left in me. Why not give it a try?” Ménard said. He expressed confidence in playing as part of the team without the pressure of skipping, remarking on how long it’s been since he last swept.
Asselin, who was 11 years old when Ménard won the Brier, expressed excitement about the addition of the veteran skip. “He can help a lot. His experiences in tense moments is where it’s going to show,” Asselin noted.
Ménard, now 48, hasn’t ruled out a return to the Brier, with hopes that a strong performance from Asselin’s team this season could lead to another Brier appearance. “Maybe I have a sniff to go back to the Brier,” Ménard said, optimistic about their chances if they maintain their current form.
SOURCE: Global
