Regina Cougars men’s curling team to represent Canada at 2025 FISU Winter World University Games

U SPORTS announced on Thursday that the national champion University of Regina’s men’s curling team will represent Canada at the 2025 FISU Winter World University Games from January 13-23 in Torino, Italy. 

“Our team is incredibly excited to be representing Canada and the University of Regina on the world stage,” said Cougars skip Joshua Bryden. “It’s been a goal I’ve had growing up, and having the opportunity to wear the maple leaf is thrilling. We look forward to having lots of support with family joining us and many more at home tuning in to cheer us on.”

The University of Regina's men's curling team collected its second national title in school history back in March of this year after defeating Dalhousie by a score of 8-5 in the final of the U SPORTS Championship in Fredericton, N.B, which qualified them to represent the country in the biennial winter games.

“I was very proud of our team at the U SPORTS Championship,” added Bryden. “We started the week slower than we wanted but continued to improve each game. As we picked up on the ice conditions, we gained more and more confidence. The confidence showed in our last round-robin game, where we battled back to win after being down by a few points. We played the University of Alberta in the semi-final, and after an extremely well-curled game by both teams, we came out on top. We carried that momentum with us to the final against Dalhousie University. The final was a close battle until we cracked a big score in the eighth end and were able to maintain the lead until the end.” 

The team—comprising Bryden (skip), Adam Bukurak (third), Carter Williamson (second), and Ayden Whittmire (lead)—has been preparing intensively for their international competition debut. Their competitive season began with the Pointset Invitational in Calgary this past September, and they will continue competing in local and regional events through the holiday season before departing for Italy on January 9. 

“Between practices, weekly league games, and travelling around Western Canada for bonspiels, we spend a lot of time together as a team,” Bryden added. “After winning in Fredericton, it was a moment of validation for all the hard work we’ve put in.”

The 2025 FISU Winter Games will be a test of both endurance and skill. The competition will take place over nine days, with university teams from curling powerhouses across the world. The Cougars will be looking to draw on their resilience, learned through their U SPORTS run, as they aim to top Canada’s bronze medal finish from the Lake Placid 2023 FISU Games. 

“One of the key lessons we took away from the U SPORTS Championship is the importance of battling through challenges,” Bryden said. “The FISU Games will be a long and demanding competition against some of the best university teams in the world, so staying mentally and physically strong will be essential.”

The Regina Cougars men’s curling team is poised to make their mark on the international stage, proudly representing their university and country at this prestigious event.