All star field set for curling grand slam

Five former and current world and Olympic champions highlight the field for the Grand Slam of Curling - Canadian Open set for Prospera Place December 12 to 16.

Photo: Contributed - Sportsnet

Jim Cotter is one of 18 teams confirmed for the Grand Slam of Curling at Prospera Place next month

The 18 rink field was announced Tuesday.

Teams competing for a total prize purse of $100,000 include:

• Kevin Martin - Four time Brier champion, two time world champion, Olympic champion (2010)
• Glenn Howard - Four time Brier and world champion
• Jeff Stoughton - Three time Brier champion, two time world champion
• Kevin Koe - Brier and world champion
• Brad Gushue - Two time world junior champion, Olympic champion (2006)

Jim Cotter of Vernon will skip his Kelowna Curling Club rink in the event as will Brent Pierce from the Royal City Curling Club in New Westminster.

Pierce's squad includes Kelowna's Jeff Richard who throws third stones.

Other rinks invited to compete include John Epping, Rob Fowler, Brad Jacobs, Mike McEwan, Mark Kean, Jean-Michel Menard, Greg Balsdon, Brian Cochrane, Jake Higgs, Rob Rumfeldt and Team Lyburn.

The Canadian Open is the second of four stops in the Grand Slam of Curling season.

Koe won the opening event in Brantford, Ont., beating Cotter 7-5 in the final.

Should he win each of the last three stops he would receive a $1M bonus from Rogers Sportsnet.

Along with the prize money teams will also be playing for merit points toward a berth in the 2013 Olympic Trials.

Tickets for the event are available through Select Your Tickets.

Full event packages for all 12 draws plus tie-breakers if necessary are $125 while championship weekend tickets are $37.50.

Single draw tickets and other packages will be announced at a later date.