Thomas Scoffin’s Yukon rink is feeling confident going into the 2022 Tim Horton’s Brier.

The Brier is running from March 4-13 at the Enmax Centre in Lethbridge. TSN is the broadcaster for the event.

The Star reached Scoffin, 27, in Lethbridge. His crew got in Wednesday afternoon in order to complete the required COVID protocols.

The Scoffin rink includes third Trygg Jensen, 24, second Joseph Wallingham 25 and lead Evan Latos (Lat-ish), 27. Scoffin’s father Wade is the alternate. The elder Scoffin is a certified coach who is “acting in both capacities for this week,” according to the younger Scoffin.

Scoffin said his team is looking good heading into the Brier.

“We’re feeling good. Obviously, it’s been a unique ... couple of years. We’re excited to be here ... we’ve been fortunate enough that we were able to get on the ice for the past couple of weeks here and throw a lot of rocks just to make sure we’re ready. It was kind of dicey at times with different COVID restrictions, but we’re happy to be here.”

Scoffin has been to two previous Briers, in 2018 (Regina) and 2020 (Kingston). He went 2-6 in 2018, in which father Wade threw second rocks, and 0-7 in 2020. Jensen and Wallingham were with Scoffin in 2020. Latos is a Brier rookie.

“Experience is huge,” stated Scoffin.

“Especially at an event like the Brier. That being said, the Brier is obviously totally different from anything that we’ve ever played in before, so those first couple games – I’ll never forget my first game at the Brier ... it’s quite the experience. So I’ll definitely rely on that.

“It’s nice that Joe and Trygg have that year under their belt as well at the Brier. It’s a crazy atmosphere. It’s super-fun. It’s one of the greatest shows on earth in terms of curling events, so it’s always just an absolute blast to be here, but having a bit of an expectation going in is certainly helpful, and glad we can help Evan out with that as well, in his first Brier.”

Scoffin says it’s great to have his dad with him at the Brier.

“It’s really cool. Obviously, in my first Brier, having a chance to play with him on the team was awesome, something that a lot of people don’t get to experience, so definitely very fortunate to have him around. He’s got a lot of experience with Briers under his belt as well, so definitely stuff we can draw on.

Scoffin acknowledges that there’s a very tough field at this year’s Brier.

“It’s a super-deep field. Curling over the last four or five years, especially ... at the elite level, has just taken off. Those top teams are improving at an incredible rate. The shotmaking, it just keeps getting better and better every year, so we just expect that the teams we are playing are going to be at the top of their game. We don’t expect to get very many misses, so we’ll have to keep ‘em close, and play a tight game ... there’s no expectation for us coming into this event. Obviously, some of the top teams in the world are here. It’s probably one of, if not the deepest field that we’ve seen at a Brier.”

The Scoffin foursome favour a balanced approach to the game, but can adapt if necessary.

“We can play any style we want. We’re a pretty strong team from a tactics perspective. We’re very confident in our strategy and shotmaking. Ultimately, it just comes down to execution for us.”

Scoffin isn’t intimidated by the deep field of foes facing his rink, including Brad Gushue.

“I wouldn’t say it’s intimidation. Obviously, we know that they’re one of the best teams in the world and we’ve had a number of games against teams like that. I’ve been lucky enough over my curling career that I grew up playing against a lot of these guys. I know them well .

“We know going into the game that we’re going to have to play one of the best games of our lives to come out on top, but that being said, there’s no expectation. There’s no pressure on us there, right? We actually kind of use that to our benefit. If we can keep things close coming down to the wire in the last couple of ends, then all the pressure’s on them.

For the first time in two years, full capacity will be allowed at the brier.

“It’s incredible to play in front of a packed house,” related Scoffin.

“I think it’s like 6,000 people that this barn holds. We’ve done it a couple times before. There’s nothing like it. It’s so cool to play in front of the fans. Really looking forward to that.”

“Ultimately, once you get down on ice level, you don’t really notice it. You kind of just get in the zone.”

Scoffin adds that “we’re just excited to be back, to be playing, to be competing.”