A major roster change for Rob Fowler and his Brandon team with third Allan Lyburn deciding to take next season off and is contemplating retirement.
"It’s a long grind. Sign up for a four-year commitment. It’s a lot of pressure on my wife at home too, who has no problem with me curling but," Lyburn told CKLQ’s Tyler Crayston. "This last year certainly was very tiring. We didn’t get anything out of the year. It’s very frustrating putting a lot of time and effort and not seeing the team getting any better. With all those in mind it was time just to take a year off and maybe even be done."
The Fowler foursome fell in a qualifier for the Page 2-2 Playoff at this year’s Safeway Championship.
Fowler expects second Brendan Taylor and lead Derek Samagalski back in the fold and is in the process of finding a replacement for Lyburn.
"He’s definitely a big part of the team. We’re fortunate in once sense in Manitoba that there is lots of good curlers, but very difficult to find somebody like Allan, particularly with the experience that we gained over the last four years. Definitely somebody that’s a personal friend as well," said Fowler. "We’ll work through that process and we’re confident we’ll be able to get a good fit for us."
In 2012, Lyburn helped the Fowler rink capture a Manitoba title and was named an all-star at the Brier where the team brought back a national bronze medal.
"I got my Brier win, all be I would like to get another one or a couple more, but at the same time a lot don’t get any. I really thank Rob and the boys for making that happen, because that’s something I’ll never ever forget," said Lyburn.