The marquee event of the Canadian Curling season has arrived.

The 2018 Tim Hortons Brier in Regina begins on March 3rd as sixteen teams from across Canada will battle it out over nine days vying to become this year's national men's curling champion.

Last year's championship team, the Brad Gushue rink from Newfoundland & Labrador, will look to defend their title against the champions from the 13 provinces and territories, including an additional rink from Ontario (Northern Ontario) and one 'Wild Card' qualifying team that will be determined Friday night at the Brandt Centre in Regina. 

Skip: Steve Laycock, Third: Matt Dunstone, Second: Kirk Muyres, First: Dallan Muyres, Coach: Lyle Muyres.

READ MORE: Steve Laycock Wins 2018 SaskTel Tankard

Representing Saskatchewan in 2018 will be the Steve Laycock rink, curling out of the Nutana Curling Club from Saskatoon. It's a familiar face as Laycock will be participating in his fourth Brier as skip (2014, 2015, 2016, 2018), after also throwing lead stones twice (2007, 2008) and third stones once (2011) for Pat Simmonds at the Brier.

After losing in the 2017 provincial Tankard to Adam Casey, Laycock got back on top after winning the 2018 SaskTel Tankard played inside Affinity Place in Estevan from January 31st - February 4th.

"It never gets less exciting, it's an absolutely amazing experience," stated Laycock following his 9-7 Tankard victory over Colton Flasch. Flasch threw second stones for Laycock in 2014, 2015 and 2016 before skipping his own rink for the first time in 2018.

"We can't wait to represent the province in Regina."

Laycock is gunning to become Saskatchewan first Brier champion in 38 years, when Rick Folk's rink won the 1980 Brier played in Calgary, Alberta.

BRENT GEDAK:  

Estevan Played Host To The 2018 Provincial Tankard.

Estevan's Brent Gedak, who represented his hometown during this year's provincial Tankard, believes that the stars may be aligning for Steve Laycock and Saskatchewan at this year's tournament.

"Steve's been playing well for the past six years, and I think it's their time," expressed Gedak on the eve of the Brier on Friday morning. "They've put their time in, they work as hard as anybody, and they proved it at the Tankard again this year."

"I think they've got a good chance to win this year. Everyone's talked about the drought since 1980, and hopefully they end that in Regina."

Steve Laycock's first game is in Draw #1 at the Tankard, taking on Mike Fournier of Team Quebec at 2pm on Saturday afternoon.

CLICK HERE TO FOLLOW ALONG WITH THE 2018 TIM HORTONS BRIER 

Steve Laycock, Matt Dunstone, Kirk Muyres, Dallan Muyres, Coach: Lyle Muyres.