Humboldt’s own Dustin Kalthoff has made a return to the skip’s position in men’s curling and is fronting one of the preeminent young curling teams heading into provincial men’s competition. To say the squad is newly minted would be an understatement. This past weekend’s provincial last chance spiel in Tisdale to gain a berth in the SaskTel Tankard was the first time the foursome had thrown rocks together. 

The new team is largely comprised of the Nathen Pomedli rink who saw considerable success on the junior circuit. Having aged into men’s play and having lost a member, the remaining three were exploring the possibilities of adding a fourth when a fortuitous set of circumstances brought Kalthoff into the fold.

“They were short a player this year,” explained Kalthoff. “They’re busy farmers, and so they hadn’t put something together to go on a playdown run this year, and I’ve been focusing mostly on mixed doubles this year. I was looking for three guys to link up with and maybe play in playdowns, if such an opportunity existed.”

A series of phone calls later, and the team, comprised of local area players, tossed their hat in the rink just before the Last Chance entry deadline. Kalthoff had parted ways with the Jason Jacobson foursome last year, and had played with a team in Alberta, along with focusing on a successful run with mixed doubles partner Ashley Thevenot. 

Jayden Bindig from the Kuroki/Foam Lake area throws third rocks, Humboldt’s Braden Fleischhacker plays second, and Wadena’s Nathen Pomedli throws lead and acts as vice-skip in the new configuration. 

The fledgling foursome faced the likes of regional rivals Dallan Muyres and a host of seasoned curlers and respected up and comers. 

“A team as committed as the Dallan Muyres team, who have been playing all over western Canada, and they’re in the Last Chance with us, it speaks to the level of competition in Saskatchewan right now. With eight pre qualified teams and Josh Heidt, the Ryan Deis/Scott Manners team, and some spectacularly good junior teams, there was really strong competition there and you had to play really well to come through.”

It’s a testament to the level of curling throughout the province, says Kalthoff, buoyed particularly by a young generation having risen through the ranks of competitive juniors and ready for the next challenge.  

“That’s one of the most exciting parts of where curling has gone. It used to be that junior curlers coming into mens were at a pretty significant disadvantage, but I think we’ve seen the success of players that have come right out of juniors and been among the best in the world - like the Matt Dunstones and the Bruce Mouats, among others.” 

Kalthoff and crew faced the likes of Teams Bryden and Team Sutherland, both of whom were serious contenders in the mix. The Ede team from Martensville, another young squad, rolled through the spiel undefeated to take the A side and earn their spot at provincials. 

Kalthoff returns to the four player game after a stellar run in mixed doubles with partner Ashley Thevenot. Like other players in the sport, Kalthoff has made a concerted effort to elevate the discipline and their place in it with increased focus.

“Ashley and I have been playing pretty hard on the mixed doubles circuit this year to try to ramp up our points to qualify for the Olympic Trials. So far we’ve had a great year playing in Manitoba, Alberta, Saskatchewan. We lost a final to Steve Laycock and Patty Hersikorn just a few weekends back, and we qualified in what’s arguably the toughest mixed doubles field that’s ever been assembled at the Super Series event in Winnipeg.”

Those efforts have left the duo with a yearly ranking in the top 25 in the world.

Still, the pull of the four person game and the chance to wear a green jacket remains strong. Kalthoff has strong praise for the trio working with him, and it’s what’s driving the energy and confidence heading into the Tankard in early February. 

“All three of these guys, Nathan, Jayden and Braden, are just phenomenally talented athletes. They’re the hardest sweepers I’ve ever swept with, and they’re just fantastic curlers.”

That’s why this band of curlers with east central roots will be working hard to mount a Tankard worth showing in Estevan - once their own brand new team jackets arrive.