Glenn Howard’s team breaking up as curling rumours go into overdrive

The world of curling is filled with rumours right now, with whispers of major changes to well-known teams all across the land.

Glenn Howard, the two-time world champion skip, got ahead of those rumours on Sunday, announcing that he would indeed be returning to play next season, but not with the same exact line-up.

“I’m not sure what my line-up’s gonna be, I think there’s changes in the works," Howard said, in an interview aired during Sportsnet's coverage of the final of The National (Howard defeated Brad Gushue in that final). "I don’t think you’re gonna see these same four guys together. I guess the news’ll be coming out soon."

"I’m not sure who I’m going to be playing with but I’m definitely curling," Howard said of next season.

The 51 year old skip, who's appeared in more games at The Brier than any other player in history, is even talking about seeing it through to the next Olympic Trials, to be held late in 2017.

"I’m not discounting the next four (seasons)," he told Sportsnet.

"I’m feeling good, I’m in great shape. Probably the best shape of my life, thanks to my trainer."

So, Howard will be making at least one change to the line-up in front of him and there may be more. The rumour mill has been churning out fantastic scenarios over the last few weeks, many of them curated in this blog post by Gerry Geurts at CurlingZone.ca.

Could Howard's longtime second, Brent Laing be leaving at season's end? Does Wayne Middaugh care to commit to an Olympic cycle, the way Howard would like?

There had been strong rumours all season long, that Kevin Koe's team was ready to splinter, with Carter Rycroft stepping away from the game completely (confirmed) and Nolan Thiessen and Pat Simmons leaving as well. However, after their Brier victory last week, both Simmons and Thiessen indicated they'd like to return to defend the title.

With Kevin Martin considering retirement, and his vice Dave Nedohin already announcing he's stepping back from the game once again (he'd announced that last year but reconsidered when Martin asked him to join his team), could be that Martin's longtime front end tandem of Marc Kennedy and Ben Hebert will be looking for the next thing. Seeing them join forces with Howard, though, would be a long shot.

For Howard, the game still holds a special place in his heart and he says the flame still burns.

"I still love the game. That’s the bottom line. I love to go out and play, I love to throw rocks and if that comes to a point where I don’t want to play because it’s not fun, I’m done."

"But right now, I still really enjoy it."

Middaugh joined the Howard four after vice Richard Hart retired from the game prior to the 2011-12 season. Laing, as well as lead Craig Savill, have been with Howard since the 2004-05 season.

With Laing and Savill, Howard has won two Briers, and two World Championships. With Middaugh, one Brier, one Worlds and five Grand Slams.

"You hate to see those times end," Howard said of the changes that are coming.

After a string of 8 consecutive Ontario Championships as skip, Howard's team lost the provincial final to Greg Balsdon last month.