Jim Cotter at The Brier/via Radio NL archives
A lifetime in the game… and still plenty of tread left on the tires.
Kamloops curling product Jim Cotter has been named to the Curl BC Hall of Fame Class of 2026.
Cotter and longtime Curling official Dianne Barker of Kamloops have already been announced as part of the 2026 Class.
“The first thing I thought of was all the teammates over the years,” a reflective Cotter told Radio NL’s Jon Keen.
“The people I’ve curled with over the years, guys like Rick Sawatsky,” he recalled. “You really reflect on all the teammates that have helped you along the way.”
Rick Sawatsky(L), Mike Lovejoy(C) and Jim Cotter(R) pose for a photo to commemorate the 100th game played for each of them at the 2021 Brier/via Curling Canada
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“I still think about it,” admitted Cotter. “That one did sting… it took a couple years to get over.”
Cotter curled under John Morris that year wearing BC colours.
“My dream was to win one – it still is,” said Cotter.
“It’s tough to beat a guy like [Alberta curling powerhouse] Kevin Koe three times at an event,” added Cotter. “We did it twice, but they curled so well in the [Brier] Final that year.”
“We thought we played very well,” he added.
However, it’s not the Brier appearances that come first to mind for the long-time fixture of the Kamloops curling scene, who now hangs his banner from the Vernon Curling Club, as the north Okanagan city is where he currently calls home.
“Coaching Team Brown was a real highlight,” said Cotter. “That’s right up there.”
“To go to a couple of Scotties with the team, that was real rewarding,” continued Cotter.
“And to curl with my daughter Jaelyn at the Olympic Trials [in Mixed Doubles] and some other events, that’s real special.”
Jim Cotter and daughter Jaelyn competing at the Mixed Doubles Olympic Curling Trials in Halifax in 2025/via Team Cotter
While Vernon may be where he lays his head at night these days, Cotter does say his time at the Kamloops Curling Club is what shaped him.
“Kamloops is home…I grew up there [at the Kamloops Curling Club],” said Cotter. “I always love coming home and still feel part of the club, to be honest.”
The veteran of the pebbled ice isn’t ready to be put to pasture, suggesting he’s far from done.
“I’ve always wanted to put together a professional men’s team out of the Interior,” mused Cotter. “BC gets a rep for being soft for whatever reason.”
“I want to mentor and lead a young team – minus myself,” he chuckled. “See where it might go.”
After helping guide Team Brown for several years from the carpeting behind the bumper before the team dissolved in early 2026, Cotter’s drive, eye for curling talent and the lure of the Brier itself has charted him on a new course.
Photo of Team Brown attached to announcement of the dissolution of the Kamloops-based rink in January, 2026/via Team Brown
Cotter’s reputation and skills were enough to convince Kamloops-born curling standout Jared Kolomaya to come onboard with himself, Erik Colwell and Connor Deane — a blend of veteran and rising talent that has been hand-crafted to compete for a BC title and –he hopes– another shot at a national men’s curling title.
“I want to pass on to these guys what I’ve learned over the years,” said a humble Cotter.
“Eventually I’ll step away and let these guys run,” he added. “It’s year-to-year right now… but we are excited for what the future holds.”
Through it all, Cotter remains outwardly stoic when it comes to accolades, such as his induction into the BC Curling Hall of Fame.
But he admits, its something he says he won’t brush aside either.
“I’m an emotional guy… a lot of passion and desire,” he concedes. “But I internalize a lot.”
“This one is special[to me], but I share it with everyone.”
