Canadian Curler E.J. Harnden Announces Retirement from Competition

Canadian curler and Olympic champion E.J. Harnden has announced his retirement from competitive curling at the end of the current season. In a heartfelt Instagram post on December 28, 2025, the 42-year-old from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario shared that he will be playing his final full season, marking the end of an illustrious career in the sport.

Harnden currently plays the second position on Matt Dunstone’s Winnipeg-based team, alongside his brother and lead Ryan Harnden. The Harnden brothers achieved significant success together, winning an Olympic gold medal at the 2014 Sochi Games as part of a team skipped by their cousin Brad Jacobs. Throughout his career, E.J. Harnden has accumulated a remarkable record, including four silver medals at the World Curling Championships in 2013, 2022, 2023, and 2024, as well as two Canadian Men’s Curling Championships in 2023 and 2024, both won with Brad Gushue’s St. John’s rink.

As Harnden prepares for his third career Brier title, set to take place from February 27 to March 8, 2025 in St. John’s, he reflected on the impact curling has had on his life. In his post, he expressed gratitude for the experiences, opportunities, and memories the sport provided him.

“This sport has given me more than I could have ever imagined. From the first stone I threw to competing at the highest level, curling has shaped who I am,” Harnden wrote. He emphasized his commitment to the game, stating, “Every time I stepped onto the ice, I gave everything I had — for my team, for the moment, and for the love of the game.”

His journey through curling has been marked by numerous achievements, including Canadian championships and Grand Slam victories, culminating in the cherished moment of winning an Olympic gold medal. “Those moments will stay with me forever,” he concluded.

The announcement of Harnden’s retirement resonates with the curling community, highlighting the end of an era for a talented athlete whose contributions to the sport will long be remembered. As he embarks on this new chapter, fans and fellow curlers alike will celebrate his legacy and the indelible mark he has left on the sport.