Team Ontario’s Mooibroek balancing competitiveness with camaraderie at 2025 Canadian Mixed

Sam Mooibroek is coming off a strong showing at the 2025 Home Hardware Canadian Pre-Trials. While his team fell short of keeping its dream of wearing the Maple Leaf in Italy alive, the 26-year-old skip still has plenty to look forward to this season.

Later this year, he’ll aim to make a second straight appearance representing Ontario at the one-of-a-kind Montana’s Brier in St. John’s, N.L. First, though, he has another chance to wear the Maple Leaf. This time, he will skip his province at the 2025 Canadian Mixed Curling Championship.

Mooibroek and his Kitchener-Waterloo rink of vice-skip Emma Artichuk, second Wyatt Small, and lead Jamie Smith wrapped up Pool A action undefeated at 6-0 on Wednesday evening. They capped the round robin with a win over Quebec’s Team Yannick Martel (3-3; Chicoutimi, Nairn, Jacques-Cartier) by a score of 9-2.

That win, along with an earlier victory over Team Betti Delorey of the Northwest Territories (1-5; Hay River), gives the former Wilfrid Laurier University classmates momentum heading into the Championship Pool. Their record carries forward into four games against Pool B’s top four teams.

While the chance to win a national title and represent Canada at the 2026 World Mixed Curling Championship (dates and location TBA) is motivating, Mooibroek also appreciates the off-ice camaraderie for which Canadian Mixed is known.

“I try not to look too far ahead, but 100 per cent, it’s a cool opportunity,” Mooibroek said. “You show up here and going to worlds isn’t really something you’re thinking about. But then you get here and realize you don’t actually have to win that many more games to have a chance. So it’s definitely a cool little feeling.”

Mooibroek’s drive remains strong, yet after games, he unwinds and also connects with teams across the country.

“It’s a lot of fun. I’m always going to be overly competitive, my teammates will tell you that,” he said with a grin. “On the ice, I’m competitive. Once we’re off, it’s great to relax, sit back and have some fun with the other teams. It’s really enjoyable to be in this kind of atmosphere.”

The Ontario foursome’s chemistry is clear on the ice. Artichuk and Smith also compete together in women’s play. Small is Mooibroek’s former university teammate. That familiarity keeps the group composed and their skip balanced.

“They probably bring a little bit to counteract me,” Mooibroek said. “They’re a little more fun-loving. I’ve been told to smile or have fun a few times, so they’re definitely the more relaxed bunch. It’s a good balance — my over-competitiveness and their laid-back approach kind of blend together.”

Joining Ontario in the Championship Pool are Saskatchewan’s Team Jason Ackerman (5-1; Regina), Newfoundland and Labrador’s Team Rod Feltham (4-2; Gander, N.L.), and Quebec’s Team Martel.

In Pool B, New Brunswick’s Team Rene Comeau (5-1; Fredericton) led the standings, followed by Manitoba’s Team Sean Grassie (4-2; Winnipeg), British Columbia’s Team Miles Craig (4-2; Victoria), and Nova Scotia’s Team Brent MacDougall (4-2; Halifax).

The top four teams from each pool crossover to play four more games against each other, as do the bottom three teams of each group for the seeding pool. This phase of the event wraps up on Friday with the top four teams of the Championship Pool advancing to Saturday’s playoffs.

Action from the 2025 Canadian Mixed Curling Championship will continue Thursday with draws at 9 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 4 p.m., and 7:30 p.m., (all times Central).  

For the 2025 Canadian Mixed Curling Championship live results, click here.  

For the full event schedule, click here.  

For ticket information, click here.