Curling Clinic Coming To BRCC

With the start of the new season at the BRCC, there will be curling instruction offered on Wednesday / Thursday; October 2 - 3, 2013. Maymar and Al Gemmell will be hosting these 2 nights of instruction. The cost for this is $15.00 per person. Well worth it whether you are a new curler or an experienced player.

Al and Maymar are well-seasoned instructors and can give you the proper start or enhance your existing game.

Try to make it a point to get out for these nights of instruction. If you know people that are joining curling for the first time, encourage them to check this out because it will such a worthwhile start.

Rock On!

The Curling Chronic

New Season Starting Up!

Brad Gushue. Off to a good start as he wins the Baden Masters in Switzerland just this past weekend. This team was looking good last season as they had an excellent showing. This year, it looks like they have a full schedule and you can be sure they are stoked to do well enough at the Pretrials to get to the Roar of the Rings. They are playing again this weekend at the Stu Sells Oakville Tankard. Team Brad Jacobs will be there as well. Here is another team just brimming with potential and after the stunning season they had last year, you can be sure that this is one of the teams to watch in the Pretrials. Interestingly enough, I noticed Team Homan is not on the roster on the ladies' side in this Oakville spiel.

And it is near the beginning of another season at the BRCC as well. After a summer of repairs and preparation, the BRCC will be ready to rock n' roll for another season. The Brine Headers were replaced as well as the compressor. No small task but we needed it!

Brian St Pierre will be our new club associate so please make him feel welcome when you see him.

Here are some important dates to remember:

Sept 14: CLEAN UP DAY.  We need volunteers to show up at the club and help get rid of the cobwebs and get our club in shape for the upcoming season. This is an excellent way to get your volunteer hours out of the way early!

Sept 23:  7 pm - 9 pm. REGISTRATION! Git yer teams together and git them registered!

Oct 4 - 5: IRONBROOM.  This spiel has been resurrected. It features 8 ends of curling on Friday evening, 18 holes of golf on Saturday am (4 man scramble...shotgun start) and 8 ends of curling on Saturday evening. Also, there's a dinner and a dance. This is an Open format so mixed, ladies or mens teams are welcome. Cost is $240.00 per team. Leave your payment at the Huron Pines Golf Course or get hold of Bob Villeneuve. First 24 "paid" teams are in! Don't wait too long!

Oct 7: Leagues start up. Awesome...we'll be on the ice early this year!!

So here we go! Another year starting up and another year blogging. I'm stoked!  and I hope you guys are too!

Rock On!

The Curling Chronic

Welcome Back Cotter!

I loved this show back in the day. And I'm not the only one. There were lots of fans for this sitcom. So, could it be that Johnny Mo is the new "Epstein" of Team Cotter? Well, he be playin' third for Cotter, or so the story goes. I knew Johnny Mo would have a back up plan. I must say, this is not what I thought was going to happen. But hey, Jim Cotter throws a great stone. I have seen him make some doozies in some difficult situations. Perhaps the experience and shot-throwing ability of Johnny Mo will be just the thing that propels this squad onward. Cotter had a pretty good season in 2011-2012...it was looking like this team had places to go. Certainly they have the vast potential to get there with Johnny Mo crossing over.

And still no word on Kmart. They are weighing their options carefully I suppose. You can be sure that whoever they get is going to be of a skill level comparable to Johnny Epstein...I mean Mo!

Meanwhile, in local news, it turns out that Rocks and Rings will be coming to the Public School on May 16. Awesome news for local curling. This program has been getting more and more kids involved in the Roaring Game. I'm thinking that we will see an increase in the amount of Kids curling at the BRCC this fall.

Rock On!

The Curling Chronic

Is it a Club or a Center?

This is the Ice Cube Curling Center in Sochi, Russia and this is the place that will house the 2014 Olympic Curling event. Wow, it looks awesome! The BRCC does not look like this but then again, the BRCC costs a fraction of what this giant building costs to build and run. However, I draw your attention to the title of this building, "curling Center". There was an article in the January issue of the Curling News where they addressed the issue of Curling Clubs changing the name to "Curling Centers."

The argument is that referring to the entity as a "club" creates an air of exclusivity and may, in fact, discourage people from joining because they may not be hoity, toity enough. There may be some merit to this. For as long as I can remember, curling clubs have been called just that. I got my curling start at the Carol Curling Club in Labrador City. But I joined when I was 12 and I'm not sure if I viewed the Curling Club as a place where only the "well - to - do" would (or could) seek membership. Had I been an adult, would I have been reluctant to hang out there with all those perceived affluent types? it turns out that this was complete hogwash, some of my best teenage memories revolve around the Carol Curling club. nonetheless, the perception exists and I believe that it may be so that people are discouraged from seeking membership at the "club". The question remains, would more people join the Curling Center? And, is it not our responsibility as curlers and lovers of the Roaring Game (as well as members of our local club) to try to grow the game as best we can. A strong membership is the key to any curling club's success and perhaps this is a way to entice more people to come to the club (or should I say center) and try it out.

We could put up a sign in front of the BRCC calling it the Blind River Curling Center. This might minimize the perceived image of the club catering to the affluent only. And, if we increase our membership, isn't it worth it?

Many might argue that such a perception is nonexistent these days and "curling club" is fine. There is only one way to find out.

Personally, I like the idea of "Curling Center" and I am certainly interested in expanding our membership base. If the cost of a sign is a way to market our game (organization) to the public, perhaps it is a good first step. Just curling food for thought.......

Meanwhile, no word yet on Johnny Mo's replacement. Apparently they asked Dave Nedohin, but with wife Heather already in the Olympic trials, Dave opted out and said he had to stand aside and help with family life. I'll say this, Dave Nedohin is a stand up guy. I have always thought that of him, since meeting him in Halifax in 2003. Other names are getting bounced around out there like Brendan Botcher although personally  I think that is unlikely. Also the name Richard Hart is out there but once again, I can't see it. The talent pool is pretty deep in Alberta so I'm sure Kmart will look for the best of the best.

Rock On!

The Curling Chronic

Team Martin Shake Up!

"Good - bye Mo, Me gotta go, me - oh -my -oh, Me gotta go, pole the pirogue down the Bayou...."  Yes folks, that's right! Johnny Mo packed his curling shoes and broom into his pirogue and poled out of Team Martinville. Incredible news! I saw this coming but I thought it would happen after the Olympic Trials run in December. There is no doubt that things were going a bit awry for this squad. They did not have a great season and certainly the writing was on the wall. In my opinion, the chemistry was just not there anymore and it showed in their play. It only goes to show, you can have 4 of the best players in the world on a team but if the chemistry is not there, it will be difficult to win.

So, what will become of Johnny Mo? My guess is that there is already an offer on the table for him with either a team that has qualified for the Trials OR the pretrials. This has yet to be revealed. Who knows, perhaps Johnny Mo will step back from competitive curling and concentrate on just fighting fires. Not likely! I'm thinking that within the next month, Johnny Mo will be named as a member of another squad.

And what of Team Kmart? Will he move Kennedy and Hebert up and make a spot for his son? Not likely. I think Martin looks for a third. So who is available? Well, there are lots of good curlers in Alberta. Annie thought that maybe he would look to Jamie Koe from the territories. Interesting idea. Bob Weeks, in his article, named Don Walchuck. Another interesting idea..I miss that broomball shoe!

I don't fault Johnny Mo for his departure. If it is not working, then it is not working and that's all that can be said about that. I'm surprised they stayed together as long as they did. Nonetheless, this squad had a great run and they accomplished alot in that time.

Stay tuned, there is more to this story yet to be revealed.

Rock On!

The Curling Chronic

In The Final Analysis

Eve Muirhead. What a year this young lady has had (and her team!). At 22 years old, Eve has accomplished an incredible amount in the Roaring Game. She has won the World's and now has won the Player's Championship. Some would argue that this is the best team in the world today. Indeed, they would be right. And right on her heels is Team Sweden with Maria Prytz shooting last. Personally, I would have to argue that this is also the best team in the world albeit the fact that they have lost numerous finals.

One thing is for certain, Canada is no longer the big, bad wolf of curling. The rest of the world is catching up in leaps and bounds. Although this may not be the best news for Canada at face value, it IS good news for curling in general and certainly good news for international curling. Look at the Russian curling program...Team Siderova has lots of game and they will be getting better. Then there is the Czech Republic..another program that has taken leaps and bounds.

I think Canadian curling is still right up there. A transition is taking place...and the younger teams are coming into their own. Teams like Jacobs and Homan, although not winning gold are solid squads and it is teams like this that will rise to the top on the world stage. But make no mistake, the rest of the world is improving too. The Olympics in 2014 will be huge!!! And entertaining as there are so many good teams out there now.

It turns out that Epping took the last spot in the Olympic Trials which means that Jacobs and Gushue will have to qualify through the pre-trials. Not the worst news...they will have to practice hard and play well. Certainly they are capable.

Gushue's team looked good this year. They looked strong in the Brier and they played well in the Player's Championship. I think Gushue has finally found the right mix and they seem to play well together. This squad can only get stronger.

And what's to say about Jacobs that has not already been said. I hope to see them advance to the Olympic Trials and with any luck, make it to the Olympic Games.

Check this site from time to time over the summer holidays. It might be summer but there is still curling stuff to fill you in on.

Enjoy your summer. Be safe.

Rock On!

The Curling Chronic

World Mixed Doubles This Weekend

Robert Desjardins and Isabelle Neron. This Quebec duo is going to represent Canada in the World Mixed Doubles, kicking off this weekend in Fredericton, NB. It will begin Saturday, April 13 and go till the 20th. It will all begin with Canada meeting Italy at 3:30 pm on Saturday. And guess who will be commentating...none other than longtime BRCC pal, Dean Gemmell. They will be streaming the games live and you can watch them...just go to www.youtube.com/WorldCurlingTV  Check it out, I'm sure there will be some good curling and Dean will no doubt have excellent insights.

Just google 2013 World Mixed Doubles Curling and you can check out game times and who the other competing teams are.

Mixed Doubles is really catching on. It is a fast game and certainly an interesting game. If you ever wanted a way to improve your shooting shills, then start playing Mixed Doubles. Certainly it would make practice more fun!

It would be nice to start a Mixed Doubles league at the BRCC...at the very least have a Mixed Doubles tournament some weekend. I think I will attempt to make this an agenda item at a board meeting this summer. I think we could generate enough interest in it and perhaps grow this type of curling match within the club. Now that our beloved Maymar and Al are back, I am betting they would be interested in this as well.

Don't forget, the Players Championship, the final stop of the Grand Slam events will be kicking off in Toronto on April 16. All the big teams will be there and here's the thing, if Team Jacobs does well, they will secure a berth in the Roar of the Rings. At this point, I think the Jacobs rink have a slight edge, pointswise, on Team Epping so hopefully the boys can keep it going. Stay tuned for my updates and predictions.

With the readership growing on this blogsite, I am going to try to keep the blog going all summer long. There is always curling news going on and perhaps I can also keep you abreast on what is happening at the BRCC as well, in terms of summer repairs, etc. So, stay with me during the summer.

Rock On!

The Curling Chronic

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

Canada Gets Silver

Team Edin. Gold medal finish at the Worlds. And they deserve it too. They played well and were strong to the finish. Good on them! And the Canucks took the Silver. Not too shabby! They played well and all in all, a great showing for a young team at their first worlds. I am predicting they will get back there.

And Team Jacobs can hold their heads high. Second place in the world is an excellent accomplishment. When you think about starting at the regions and working their way to the final of the world championship, it's been a long hard road and they had to put together alot of wins to get there. Kudos to these guys. They certainly have put Northern Ontario curling back on the map. Awesome job guys!!

Ryan Fry was phenomenal! In fact, the entire team was phenomenal all year long. This is only the beginning for this team...they will be back and even more formidable than they were this year.

The Players Championship is coming up. The Jacobs crew will have to do well here and they will secure a berth in the Roar of the Rings. The possibility of them getting through to the Olympics is very real! They are an awesome team and they have a good shot. Practice hard boys, knock back a few more protein shakes and before you know it, you'll be representing your country again.

Rock On!

The Curling Chronic

The Finals!!!

 I know what you're thinking. Is Yvon Valiquette playing for Scotland? And is his shot tight?

 Or perhaps you're thinking what is Steph Lemieux so happy about. The shot or the hair?

You might even be wondering if curling is a good fit for Alfred E Newman. He looks so serious.














Well, the first one is Tom Brewster. Third for Scotland. Interesting dynamic, this 5 man rotation. I'm not sure I'm a fan. They had Brewster sit out last  night's semi-final. Granted, he had a tough game in the semi-final  but to me, that was just a bad game. Who hasn't been there/ However, he's an awesome player in his own right and I think that on the night of that semi-final, it would have been key to have him in this that game, but hey whatever. The Canadians pulled it out, in fine style.

The second one is NOT Steph Lemieux, it's Rasmus Stjerne...skip of Denmark. He is a rising star out of this country. Awesome shooter...what a great surprise. His game was awesome and this squad had Canada in a nail biter in that 3 - 4 game. That run back by Ryan Fry was nothing short of spectacular and I invented a new dance move right there in my living room when that shot got made. I was smelling the win before that shot, but I tasted it after it got made. The Fry Guy has been spectacular...and the Gushue is still scratching his head!

The third one is Greg Drummond...he usually plays second but for the semi-final, he played third. He curled 81 % but  was out curled by Fry and hey, I think that perhaps this rotation was more disruptive to this squad than a benefit. But Greg Drummond is no slouch..he is an excellent curler and he is tough to out curl. You gotta bring your A game to take this veteran on.

So the Bronze game is in the 7th as I type this. Tom Brewster has been awesome. So has Rasmus Stjerne. Boy, it's hard to predict a winner.

Tonight is the BIG GAME. Edin et al have been in the zone  but so is Jacobs. And me with no fingernails left. Break out the Melba Toast! (That is so 50 - something of me).

Rock On!

The Curling Chronic