True World Class Champions

E J Harnden. A true curling champion. I read an article on facebook from a BC newspaper about Ryan Fry giving his broom to a 5 year old girl during practice just before the championship game. It was an excellent gesture and both the father and little girl will remember this for a very long time. There can be no doubt that Ryan Fry has earned the right to be a part of this world class curling squad, both by his great play and by the way he interacts with this young team. He may, in fact, be the addition that this team was waiting for to move to the next level.

But, then I got to thinking about E J Harnden. Once the third for this squad, he moved to second stone and made the way for Ryan Fry to become a part of the team. Surely a sign of his dedication to the success of this squad. (The same can be said about Ryan Harnden as well!) But more than this, E J was completely composed during the World Championship. Even when they struggled, he was supportive at all times. He played lights out and made shot after shot. They even named the run back double, "The E J". E J Harnden has matured exponentially over the few short years that they have been on the national curling stage. In the championship game against Sweden, when things were looking bleak and it was looking like Sweden was going to win (which they eventually did), E J said nothing but supportive comments to Brad when he was about to shoot and when the shot was done (made or not). This, to me, indicated the level of maturity that this young man has attained and this is the very thing that makes him a world class athlete and curler. My hat is off to E J Harnden because of this.

In fact, my hat is off to this entire squad. They did not win gold BUT they did win silver and this is a great accomplishment and we should be proud. Not only as Northern Ontario curlers, but as Canadians in general. As far as I am concerned, these guys made a tremendous splash at the Worlds (and the Brier) and they represented their country in an awesome fashion. All 4 players played excellent and they should be proud of the things they have accomplished. They are indeed role models in curling and in sports in general.

Arm chair curlers are the most critical when it comes to team analysis, and that sometimes is a disservice to the people that represent their country in sport. But make no mistake, the pressure involved in wearing the Maple Leaf on National (and International) TV must be staggering...but this squad bore it well. They are true champions and world class athletes. They deserve nothing but our respect and admiration and I say this as a Northern Ontario curler and as a curler in general. They have done their part for the sport of curling, Sault Ste Marie curling, Northern Ontario curling and Canadian curling. Kudos guys...you deserve it for an awesome display of curling and sportsmanship.

Rock On!

The Curling Chronic