Montana’s BBQ & Bar continues commitment to curling in Canada with direct investment in growth youth impacts

Team Matt Dunstone took home the top prize at the 2026 Montana’s Brier, presented by AGI, in St. John’s, N.L., but young curlers across the country also won thanks to a direct investment from Montana’s BBQ & Bar that will set up future champions for success.

Montana’s BBQ & Bar presented a $50,000 cheque to support Curling Canada’s national youth engagement and youth curling programs during the closing weekend of the Montana’s Brier. Curling Canada CEO Nolan Thiessen accepted the cheque alongside two local participants in the Future Stars program, Lily and Liam Wall, and says this commitment reflects the partnership and aligned values between the two organizations.

“It was truly a week to remember at the Montana’s Brier. Not only did we see Matt Dunstone take home his first Brier title, but we also saw several younger teams make a name for themselves on the national stage, and we saw this investment in growing the game. The partnership between Curling Canada and Montana’s BBQ & Bar is bigger than any one event; it allows us to deliver meaningful, lasting impact across the sport because it is rooted in shared values: bringing communities together and investing in the long-term future of curling throughout Canada,” says Thiessen.

Montana’s BBQ & Bar has been the title partner of the Canadian men’s curling championship for the past three years and sponsored the 2025 Montana’s Canadian Curling Trials held in Halifax.

As well as sponsoring elite-level events, the partnership also has an impact on grassroots development – particularly in youth engagement and participation. The $50,000 investment further builds on this area of support.

“Montana’s has been instrumental in championing curling across the country, in raising awareness and profile of curling as a sport of choice, and we’re thrilled to see this further investment in youth programming. We are grateful for their commitment to giving back, which is not only ensuring that more kids across Canada take up the game, but also that young athletes have an opportunity to watch their role models through the Montana’s Brier. This partnership will inspire young curlers to achieve their own goals and grow in the sport,” says Brodie Bazinet, Curling Canada’s Director of Philanthropy & Youth Impacts.

Mark Sozanski, COO of Montana’s BBQ & Bar, says the partnership with Curling Canada has been a wonderful fit because the two organizations share similar values. As a proud Canadian company with predominantly locally owned and operated restaurants, Sozanski says Montana’s BBQ & Bar is also focused on giving back to the community and helping young people grow.

“When it comes to the commitment to youth, it goes beyond sport. Every day in our restaurants across the country, we invest in young people by fostering first-time jobs, mentorship and leadership opportunities … supporting youth in our communities is part of who we are, and we believe that youth curling gives people an opportunity to get out, get active and do something fun,” he says.

 Inspiring the next generation of curlers

Over the past year, Montana’s BBQ & Bar’s active support and commitment to youth curling have allowed many young people across the country to experience the sport.

Even with a close to sold-out event at the Montana’s Brier in St. John’s, 576 students attended over one of four morning draws. Through the Future Stars program, 72 local youth curlers also had VIP ice-level experiences.

A total of 260 Future Star participants received a VIP experience in the 2025/26 season, which were also held at the Montana’s Canadian Curling Trials, Scotties Tournament of Hearts and upcoming BKT World Women’s Curling Championship.

While more than 10,000 students were engaged through the Montana’s Brier Digital School Program, a new initiative launched this year that will extend to other Season of Champions events’ host cities going forward.

More than 4000 students in Halifax also attended the Montana’s Canadian Curling Trials through the #ExperienceCurling youth engagement program.

These programs provide an exciting opportunity for youth across the country – many of whom may not otherwise have the chance to see elite curlers play at a national event. By breaking down barriers to access, more young people will be exposed to the sport, which contributes to a more inclusive future for curling in Canada.

Indigenous youth from First Nations schools across Alberta will also have the chance to experience a FloorCurl FunSpiel at the BKT World Women’s Curling Championship, presented by Pharmasave, in Calgary later this month, which includes a Montana’s BBQ & Bar lunch and a ticket to attend the first draw of the championship event.

Creating memorable experiences for youth across the country, with the hope of inspiring them to play the game one day, is just another example of a shared value between Curling Canada and Montana’s BBQ & Bar.

Celebrating Gushue’s historic career

With Newfoundland and Labrador skip Brad Gushue retiring as a competitive curler and his last Montana’s Brier held in his home city, Montana’s BBQ & Bar hosted Retirement House Parties at two restaurants in St. John’s.

Held in advance of the Montana’s Brier, both events included a talk from Gushue about his career highlights and a chance for fans to meet the curling legend, with all proceeds supporting youth curling across Canada.

“When it came time for Brad to sign autographs, he took a picture with everyone, he listened to their stories, he was patient, gave people time so they could share their memory with him and to me that was inspiring,” says Sozanski.

The restaurants also offered special Kids Eat for $5 promotions the week of the Montana’s Brier, with a portion of the proceeds going to Curling Canada’s For the Love of Curling youth programs.

With the 2026 Montana’s Brier now in the books, the focus shifts to 2027, which will mark the 100^th anniversary of the Canadian men’s curling championship.

Sozanski says many exciting events are planned for the event, which will be held Feb. 26 – March 7, 2027, in Saskatoon.

“We think the 100^th is a special event for Canadiana, let alone curling, because it’s been such a huge sport in Canada. We’re really excited about what’s to come.”