He's proud of him and loves spending as much time as possible with him.
While Carter Williamson no longer lives in Dauphin, he knows every day that he wakes up, his younger brother who lives in Dauphin is thinking about him. Brock Romanow has been right by his brother's side and has enjoyed watching his older brother accomplish many incredible things on the pebbled ice.
After qualifying for the 2024 USport Canadian University Curling Championships, Carter, curling on Team Bryden, won a national title when they beat Dalhousie University in the national final. Williamson shot 86% in that game and when the team clinched their first national title as a game, they were bound for Italy. Carter, Ryan Grabarczyk, Adam Bukurak, and Josh Bryden were set to represent Canada in the 2025 FISU World University Games.
Brock watched his brother with great pride as he won a national title.
"I'm so proud of him, everything that he has accomplished from his high school days to now," said Romanow. "It's a pretty proud moment, me and my whole family are so proud of him."
Williamson and his teammates went to Torino, Italy, for the FISU World Games last month and it truly was a family affair. Brock and his parents also made the journey as watching Carter on the international stage was an opportunity they simply couldn't pass up.
Competing against teams from Norway, the United States of America, Switzerland, Korea, Italy, Sweden, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and China, the event featured the top university teams in the world. Cheering from the stands, Brock and his parents watched Carter and his team win five of their nine-round robin games to qualify for the playoffs in third place.
Williamson and his team settled for a fourth-place finish after a loss against the U.S. in the semi-finals and a defeat against Switzerland in the bronze medal match. The Dauphin star represented his country with great pride and put on a show for fans.
For Brock and his parents, it was an unforgettable experience.
"It was amazing. A once-in-a-lifetime experience to spend time with my family while travelling and seeing so many new things," continued Romanow. "To see my brother battle against some of the top teams in the world was incredible. I thought they did very well and I am so incredibly proud of him."
Following the incredible trip, Brock and his parents made their way back to Dauphin and settled in. But it wasn't long before they were back at the curling rink. Brock started curling when he was eight. Why you ask? He wanted to follow in his brother's footsteps and while Brock has never had the chance to compete on the international stage like Carter has, you never know what the future holds. Especially if he continues to develop at the rapid pace he is.
Brock is playing lead on a team and is widely regarded as the Fab Four. Romanow and his teammates are putting together an excellent season on the pebbled ice. With a knack for delivering two perfect rocks to begin each end, Brock helped his team win a tournament in Yorkton in December. Brock and his mom were volunteering to sell tickets for the Dauphin Kings Tractor Lotto right before they left for Yorkton.
Brock and his team were back in action earlier this month in Erickson and just like they did in Yorkton, it was another winning weekend. They won their second bonspiel of the season.
"It feels really good. We struggled last year, but we're hitting our stride this year," continued Romanow. "Everyone is playing great and it's more of a team effort. We came together in the summer and became better friends, which has helped us this winter."
Brock has curled on a few different teams over the years, but what separates this team from those, is the bond.
"I've played with teams in the past that we're not friends off the ice, these guys are some of my best friends, I love playing, and winning with them," commented Romanow. "It's never a dull moment, we're always having a blast. We also know when to be serious and focus on the task at hand, we're a special group."
Next up for the team is an event hosted by Viterra in Rivers later this season. Given their red-hot performance so far, there’s every reason to believe they’ll rise to the occasion and battle toe-to-toe with the province’s best U-15 curlers.
"I have a lot of confidence in our team. We have come a long way since we started in October, I love playing with this team," continued Romanow. "I believe we have a good chance coming up in Rivers."
From the pebbled ice to the friendly confines of Credit Union Place. When you head to the Dauphin Kings game, you will notice Brock on the bench and walking down the tunnel before the game and during the intermissions.
When Mitchell Rauliuk stepped down as the team's assistant trainer, a golden opportunity opened up. Wasting no time, Brock fired off an email to the Board of Directors, and before he knew it, the call came—he was the chosen one.
"I was very happy when I found out. It was something that I always wanted to do," said Romanow. "I love being around the team, being hands-on with them and seeing firsthand how the organization works and helping out any way I can."
Now in his second year as the Kings' assistant trainer, Brock has become the backbone of the team behind the scenes. Known as "Mr. Reliable," he’s always there when needed—focused, and ready to get the job done.
"I love it. Everyone knows my name, they talk to me, and make me feel right at home," said Romanow. "I know what everyone needs. Certain players need different things on game day and I've learned what is needed over the past two years. I have a list and make sure everything that I need to do is done."
Brock is also a billet brother and has been for years. This year, Nolan Masson and Bryson Yaschyshyn have moved into the Romanow home.
"Everything is great, we play mini-sticks in my basement and that's always a ton of fun," ended Romanow. "We watch hockey games, basketball, and anything else on TV. It's great spending time with them."
Brock Romanow is the definition of dedication—a standout brother, a loved son, a rising star on the pebbled ice, and the Kings' go-to guy who never hesitates to step up and deliver.
