Humber's Jacob Horgan captures gold on Canada’s biggest curling stage

By: Fernando Bossoes
Humber Athletics Communications

The past month has been one for the books for Humber Hawks curler Jacob Horgan.

Horgan helped the Hawks capture the 2026 CCAA Curling Championships and, more recently, joined Team Dunstone to win gold at the 2026 Montana's Brier.

"I didn't even think I was going to the Brier, let alone win it," Horgan said. "I still really can't believe it."

The Sudbury native grew up surrounded by curling. With three older siblings who all played the sport, it didn't take long for Horgan to find his way onto the ice. His father coached them all growing up and helped the family fall in love with the sport.

One of his siblings, Tracy Fleury, recently captured a bronze medal at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics.

"Watching my sister on the podium, on the biggest stage in sports, was so inspirational," Horgan said. "It was a dream watching a family member at the Olympics."

Horgan has played alongside his brother Tanner for over two decades. The two have grown together in the sport and built a partnership rooted in dedication. He said his brother's hard-working mentality pushed him to achieve things he wouldn't have otherwise.

The two are no strangers to success.

That partnership led to six straight Northern Ontario Junior Men's Championships from 2014 to 2019, along with two national silver medals at the Canadian Junior Curling Championships in 2016 and 2018, and a bronze in 2017.

"My brother is one of the hardest-working people I've met in my life, and having him to push me to get better in the sport was just awesome," Horgan said.

He continued his development at the university level with the Laurentian Voyageurs. After leaving Laurentian and spending a couple of years working in Sudbury, the idea of continuing both his education and career remained in the back of his mind.

The opportunity came through Humber Hawks head coach Sean Turriff, who had previously worked with Horgan during the 2021 Olympic trials.

"He [Turriff] took the time out of his day to meet me, show me around the school [Humber] and to meet everyone involved in athletics," Horgan said.

"It was a big move for me. I quit my job, moved away from friends and family and wasn't sure how well that move would go, but having Sean to get me accustomed to Humber was really nice to have."

The move paid off.

Horgan is now a two-time OCAA silver medalist, a 2026 CCAA All-Tournament First Team selection and a national champion.

"[It is] really awesome to know that move paid off," Horgan said.

The Hawks skip said winning a national championship with Humber had a special meaning. Horgan said the support and resources provided by the institution are "out of this world" compared to other schools.

Representing the Hawks is something he takes pride in.

"I like to think I curl for the people that helped me get to where I am, and Humber helped me tremendously," Horgan said.

Just one week after capturing a national championship, Horgan travelled to the East Coast to join the world's number two team, Team Dunstone, at the 2026 Montana's Brier.

Team Dunstone defeated Team Kevin Koe of Alberta 6-3 to capture the gold medal.

He said competing in front of a packed stadium, with fans on the edge of their seats, is an experience that leaves him eager to chase that adrenaline again.

Horgan said being in that environment taught him valuable lessons about the sport, including preparation, performance and what it takes to compete at a world-class level.

"I played against Team Dunstone so many times in the last two years, so getting to be on the same side as them for once instead of having to play against them was pretty nice," Horgan said with a laugh.

Horgan will return to Humber next year to continue his business program while balancing his competitive curling schedule.

As he looks ahead, his focus is on the next Olympics, with plans already in motion to return to the Olympic trials and compete for a chance to represent Canada on the biggest stage.

But for now, he is taking a moment to reflect on a season that has taken him from coast to coast, while still finding a home at Humber.

"I travelled all over the world, but playing for Humber was definitely one of the highlights," Horgan said.

"I can't stress enough how much I enjoyed the whole team, and what the school puts into their athletics is amazing. It's rare to find that in curling, so I'm definitely grateful to have that."