'We all agreed that our team had reached its expiry date:' Brad Jacobs

It’s a “fresh start.”

Team Jacobs announced via social media on Friday morning that the team will see a change next season as Ryan Fry, who throws third for the team, will not return.

The trio of Brad Jacobs, E.J. Harnden and Ryan Harnden will remain, and the team will look for a new fourth member.

Jacobs said he had a conversation by phone with Fry on Thursday and the decision was made.

“We had a conversation and mutually agreed that all four of us need a fresh start,” Jacobs said. “We all agreed that our team had reached its expiry date, and that was it.”

Jacobs added that “everybody is doing very well with the decision.”         

In a prepared statement, Fry called the seven years with Team Jacobs “an amazing ride.”

“Over that time, Brad, E.J., and Ryan have become some of my closest friends and I wish them all the best moving forward,” Fry also said. “I am excited to pursue new opportunities while change is sometimes necessary for personal growth and perspective, but I will always be thankful for the time spent with the team.”

Fry will remain with the team for the final two events of the season, both Grand Slam of Curling events.

The team is set to compete in the Players Championship in Toronto, which begins on April 9, and the Champions Cup, which begins on April 23 in Saskatoon.

Fry will be exploring new options for next season.

Jacobs called the decision to make a change a tough one.

“It’s going to be a lot harder when we play in our last event together as a team,” Jacobs said. “Although it’s tough right now, I think it will get tougher.”

In seven years together, the team had a successful run.

The team won gold at the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia, and silver at the 2013 World Championship in Victoria, B.C.

The team advanced to seven Brier appearances, winning the event in 2013, finishing second in 2015 and finishing third three other times.

“We had a great seven years together,” Jacobs said. “I know everyone is looking forward to playing in the last two events as a team and capping the seven years off as best we can.”