New Team BC Coach Niklas Edin (image credit - CFJC Today)

By Michael Reeve

ALL-TIME GREAT

Team B.C. adds Olympic and world champion as coach for Scotties

Feb 17, 2023 | 4:12 PM

KAMLOOPS — He is the reigning Olympic and world championship gold medalist. In total, he’s won six world championships and has three Olympic medals in his collection. He’s regarded as one of the best curlers of all-time, but this week at the Scotties, he’s just a Team B.C. coach.

“[We] just asked,” laughed B.C. skip Clancy Grandy.

Apparently it’s just that easy to convince Niklas Edin to come to Kamloops and coach at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts, all thanks to a connection forged between Edin and Grandy in Europe.

“I’ve known him for a long time through the (Grand Slam of Curling events) and through some work I’ve done coaching in the Netherlands — at Europeans and the worlds. Obviously, he is the best at what he does in the game, in my opinion,” said Grandy.

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For Edin, who is recovering from an injury, the decision was easy, crediting the Scotties as one of the foremost events on the curling calendar.

“I was very surprised. But, as soon as I heard Scotties, and that’s a fun group of people, too. I was like, ‘Yeah, it’s a no brainer. I got to go,'” said Edin.

Despite being a late addition to the squad, Grandy believes that Edin meshes well with her team’s personality.

“We were looking for some tactical help, somebody who could come out and provide some quick input. We also really think his personality meshes well with our team. He has that calm demeanor,” said Grandy.

“I don’t stress too often, so it is a really good match. I feel this team is very calm and collected — so am I, and I like that approach on the ice. Really just pick up on the facts, and then move on. Use what you can and what you can’t impact, just leave it,” added Edin.

The experience of Edin and his laundry list of accomplishments on the world stage should help a Team B.C. who is making its Scotties debut.

The Grandy rink kicks off their run for Scotties immortality at 6:00 p.m. (Feb 17) versus Quebec.