Curling Legends Podcast
90 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 2 months ago - ★★★★★ - 7 ratingsConversations with the players and storytellers who shaped Curling from the 1940’s to the modern era.
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Episodes
Episode 40 - Don Bartlett, Part 2
September 07, 2018 08:00 - 1 hour - 47.7 MBIn Part 2 of my conversation with Don Bartlett, we cover the boycott years, dig deeper into the Ferbey rivalry and reflect on his Olympic experiences. Don will also talk runback strategy, handling emotions in big moments and eventually weigh in on the greatest teams and players of past generations.
Episode 39 - Don Bartlett, Part 1
September 06, 2018 08:00 - 1 hour - 55.2 MBDon Bartlett's greatest skill might be assessing talent. He recognized early on that Pat Ryan and later, Kevin Martin, were going to be the best skips in Alberta. Don had a short run with Pat and eventually joined Kevin in 1990, starting a run that would last 16 seasons and include 7 Briers, two Worlds and two Olympic Games. In Part 1, we cover Don's early development and the success and disappointments of the 1990's. We dig into corn broom controversies, Randy Ferbey's brief stint on Te...
Episode 38 - Barry Fry
April 30, 2018 03:45 - 1 hour - 29 MBBarry Fry was known as "The Snake" for his unique version of the tuck-slide. As a young skip he teamed with Orest Meleschuk, reaching the provincial semifinals while in their early twenties. He later helped Rod Hunter bring Don Duguid out of retirement in 1969. Over the years Barry watched friends and ex-teamates win Purple Hearts, wondering if it would ever be his turn. He won the Canadian Mixed in 1973 and finally conquered Manitoba in 1979 with Bill Carey, Gordon Sparkes and Bryan Wood...
Episode 37 - Morning Classes/David Padgett
March 31, 2018 20:28 - 1 hour - 28.4 MBWelcome to Morning Classes. Since 1948, members and friends of the Fort William Curling Club in Thunder Bay have held classes each morning during the Brier. During my detention, Fred Coulson and Alfie Childs share the history of this tradition and tell a few stories as well. The next time you attend the Brier, try to wake up early at least one day and attend a class. David Padgett started on his path to Ice Maker over 50 years ago. He began in Lindsay, Ontario at the age of twelve with ...
Episode 36 - Joan McCusker
February 24, 2018 20:10 - 1 hour - 29.6 MBJoan McCusker takes humour seriously. The 1998 Gold medal winning Schmirler Rink almost never happened because Joan and Marcia were concerned that Jan and Sandra were too intense. Eventually they agreed and everything clicked. Their team had balance, with Joan providing levity when it was needed most. She shares her days growing up on the farm and learning to curl at a two sheeter. We cover her University days, playing with sister Cathy and the early Scotties and Olympic experiences. J...
Episode 35 - Pal Trulsen
February 18, 2018 20:33 - 43 minutes - 19.8 MBPal Trulsen was supposed to be a ski jumper. It was the sport of his father. Admittedly, Pal was a little too husky and grew tired of walking to the top of the hill for each run. At 14 he and three friends (Flemming Davanger, Stig-Arne Gunnestad and Kjell Berg) discovered a four sheet curling club and took to the sport, eventually reaching the Uniroyal World Junior Championships in 1980. They returned in 1981 and then again in 1983, where they won a Silver medal, losing to Canada's John ...
Episode 34 - John Aasand
February 07, 2018 19:24 - 1 hour - 29.9 MBJohn Aassand doesn't live in the past. In 1972 four young players from Grafton, North Dakota competed in their first mens playdowns. From State to US Nationals and then to Germany, their magical run would eventually land them in the finals of the World Championship against Canada's Orest Meleschuk. Johnny at second, his brother Frank at third, lead Ray Morgan and skip Robert Labonte took a 9-7 lead into the 10th end. After what was thought to be the final rock of the game, with players p...
Episode 33 - Kim Kelly
January 31, 2018 06:41 - 1 hour - 34.5 MBKim Kelly understands what it takes to overcome adversity. Her father in the armed forces, Kelly moved often and had to adapt to new people and surroundings every few years. The local military curling club was always available to hone her skills and make new friends. After high school, Kelly returned to her birthplace of Halifax, Nova Scotia and eventually joined Nancy Delahunt, Mary-Anne Arsenault and Colleen Jones to form one of the most successful teams of all time. From 1999 to 2004, ...
Episode 32 - Bob Cole
January 26, 2018 07:25 - 34 minutes - 15.6 MBBob Cole is more than the iconic play-by-play announcer for Hockey Night in Canada. As a young broadcaster in St. John's, Newfoundland, Bob was introduced to curling and immediately became hooked. Despite his late start to the sport, regular practice led to early success with a trip to the Canadian Mixed in 1965, only the second time it was contested. Bob improved his game and eventually landed at skip, leading his team to the 1971 Brier in Quebec City. Afterwards, he recruited a youngst...
Episode 31 - Marilyn Bodogh, Part 2
January 13, 2018 18:38 - 54 minutes - 25.1 MBIn Part 2 of my conversation with Marilyn Bodogh, we'll dive into the 1996 Scotties playoffs against Connie Laliberte and Cheryl Bernard. She explains how to deal with trash talk from Dordi Nordby and warns of the dangers from Chinese food. Marilyn shares her thoughts on Colleen Jones, the Olympic Trials, both Battles of the Sexes and reveals what to wear under your kilt when you are on the ice.
Episode 30 - Marilyn Bodogh, Part 1
January 06, 2018 07:21 - 1 hour - 38.9 MBMarilyn Bodogh may have appeared brash, opinionated, outspoken or a little unfiltered. But behind the newsworthy quotes and smiles for the camera was a competitive drive to rival any of her contemporaries. Learning the game in St. Catherines, Marilyn and her older sister Christine had early junior success, reaching the Canada Winter Games in 1971. In 1980 the sisters appeared in the Canadian Ladies Curling Association Championship (two years before Scott Paper took over sponsorship). Mari...
Episode 29 - Alfie Phillips
December 22, 2017 04:21 - 1 hour - 32.7 MBAlfie Phillips Jr. had a tough act to follow. His father, Alf Sr., was an Olympian diver, a carnival showman and, despite taking up the game in his 40s, a provincial curling champion. In 1956, Ontario was poised to win the Brier for the first time since 1939, but Billy Walsh from Manitoba made what became one of the greatest shots in Brier history. Alfie joined up with his dad shortly after that loss, then later formed his own rink with John Ross, Ron "Moon" Manning and Keith Riley. In 1...
Episode 28 - Jim Ursel
December 14, 2017 01:11 - 1 hour - 31.3 MBJim Ursel had one of the smoothest deliveries of his era. He came a long way from the early days of knee sliding on a two sheet rink of natural ice in Glenella, Manitoba. After moving to Winnipeg, Jim improved enough to win the 1954 Provincial School Boys Championship. We discuss Jim's early days and his development as a player, eventually landing at the famous Strathcona Club. He recalls teaming up with Norm Houk and playing in his first Brier in 1962. We reflect on his move to Montrea...
Episode 27 - Lorraine Lang
November 23, 2017 09:00 - 1 hour - 35.2 MBLorraine Lang could be considered part of the first family of Thunder Bay curling. Despite starting later than most, Lorraine has put together a resume to rival her spouse. While husband Rick had success playing third for Al Hackner, Lorraine appeared in 8 Scotties, including 2 victories as vice for Heather Houston in 1988 and '89. Along with Diane Adams and Tracy Kennedy, they took home silver from their first trip to the World Championship in Glasgow and a gold the following year in Milw...
Episode 26 - Peja Lindholm
November 13, 2017 09:00 - 28 minutes - 12.8 MBPeja Lindholm began curling outdoors at age 11. Learning the game with his friends, Peja eventually led teams to three World Junior Championships, capturing gold, silver and bronze. With his longtime teammates Thomas Nordin, Magnus Swartling and Peter Narup, he captured three World Mens titles for Sweden in 1997, 2001 and 2004. Peja discusses his early days and the development of both his game and that of European curling during the 80's and 90's. We discuss the transition to the free gua...
Episode 25 - Arnold Asham
November 02, 2017 06:20 - 1 hour - 40.4 MBArnold Asham is a curler, dancer, inventor, showman and in his words, an opportunist. From his early days in Reedy Creek, Manitoba, Arnold dreamed he would be a millionaire in the sports industry. Curling became his passion and eventually the red brick slider, along with hard work and dedication to what to others deemed a foolish pursuit, led to his financial success. But there was also a desire to compete against the great teams that wore his corporate logo. When he teamed up with a you...
Episode 24 - Wally Ursuliak
October 26, 2017 07:28 - 1 hour - 41.1 MBWally Ursuliak has had quite a life. From Brier Champion with Hector Gervais, to corn broom salesman, camp instructor, then curling missionary in Japan to selling granite from Ailsa Craig, all while running an amusement ride business across Alberta. We'll cover Wally's introduction to curling, and his relationship with Hector, Ray, Don and Herb Olson. He shares stories of the big games and many characters of that era, before explaining why he left the competitive game to become a builder....
Episode 23 - Paul Savage, Part 2
March 30, 2017 08:00 - 1 hour - 50 MBIn Part 2 of my conversation with Paul Savage, we'll cover the 1987 Olympic Curling Trials and the controversy surrounding the qualification process. We talk about the early days of the Skins format, the Battle of the Sexes and Paul's experience as fifth man with the Mike Harris Rink during their run to a Silver Medal at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan. There are a few extras after our talk as well. Paul shares stories from the Kurl for Kids Celebrity Bonspiel, Men With Brooms,...
Episode 22 - Paul Savage, Part 1
March 27, 2017 08:00 - 1 hour - 46.1 MBPaul Savage always believed curling should be a fun game. From his early days at the Parkway Club, he learned from Alfie Phillips Jr. how to generate points from drawing around guards. The result was his nickname "The Round Mound of Come Around", and four Brier appearances as skip for Ontario during the 1970s. For three of those events, the squad included a young firefighter from Benito, Manitoba. Ed Werenich would leave Paul's rink near the end of the 70s, but they would rejoin in 1982 ...
Episode 21 - Cathy King
March 20, 2017 07:44 - 1 hour - 65.6 MBCathy King keeps on curling. Growing up in Edmonton, she played many sports. Winter evenings included time spent around the dinner table discussing curling strategy with the whole family. Older brothers Robb and Chris won the 1974 Canadian School Boys and when Cathy skipped her team to a successful National Junior Womens Championship in 1977, curling appeared to be near the top of her list. After a repeat win in 1978, the only thing missing was a World Championship, but that wouldn't be a...
Episode 20 - Don Duguid
March 13, 2017 08:00 - 1 hour - 65.1 MBDon Duguid was curling before the Allies took Berlin. In 1943, at 8 years old, Don and brothers Gerry and Lorne would throw rocks at the CPR Curling Club where their father was the ice-maker. Initially Don fell out of the hack with two feet, but eventually his father helped him develop the original Manitoba tuck delivery that is still seen today. His parents moved him to the Granite curling club and at twenty he was recruited by Howard Wood Sr, then 70 years young. There was a Brier appe...
Episode 19 - Jack MacDuff
March 06, 2017 09:00 - 1 hour - 44.4 MBJack MacDuff is a true Maritimer. He now lives in New Brunswick, was born in Nova Scotia but is perhaps best known for his short stay in Newfoundland during the 1970's when he skipped the first and (so far) only Brier winning team from that province. Growing up in Lunenburg, NS, Jack would finish playing hockey, then swap his skates for Ken Watson curling boots and cross over to the rink to throw rocks until days end. In those practice sessions, he would play 12 end games against the Rich...
Episode 18 - Don Barcome
February 27, 2017 09:00 - 56 minutes - 39 MBDon Barcome always loved to curl. He was introduced to the game after his family moved to Grand Forks, North Dakota in the mid-60's. By the age of 11 he was playing with mens teams in the local club league, and by 13 he was skipping against Orest Meleschuk in the fourth event final of the Hibbing Last Chance Bonspiel. His first taste of International competition came in 1976 when his team of brother Earl and Gary Mueller at front end, along with Gary's brother Dale, traveled to Scotland f...
Episode 17 - Ron Northcott
February 21, 2017 09:00 - 1 hour - 65.6 MBRon Northcott was Alberta curling in the 1960s. From 1963 to 1969, Ron (AKA "The Owl") won the Alberta Tankard six times, five as a skip. He went on to win the Macdonald Brier in three of those appearances, ('66,'68 and '69) following each with a victory at the World Championship, including the first ever Air Canada Silver Broom in 1968. Those Brier championship rinks each had a different third (George Fink, Jimmy Shields and Dave Gerlach), but the dominant front end of lead Fred Storey a...
Episode 16 - Dan Carey
February 13, 2017 09:00 - 1 hour - 57.3 MBDan Carey didn't think he was too competitive. Growing up in Winnipeg, he could gauge his drive against older brother Bill, and everything seemed fine. After his hockey aspirations were thwarted by a broken arm, and having seen Bill win a Brier as third for Barry Fry, Dan decided that curling might be the path to feed his hunger for competition. Following a decade of near misses, Dan re-teamed with Vic Peters in 1991. Joined by long time playing partner Don Rudd at lead and Vic's teammate...
Episode 15 - Vera Pezer
February 06, 2017 23:04 - 58 minutes - 40.5 MBVera Pezer has always had a mind for curling. From her early days in Meskanaw, SK, tossing stones on a two sheeter at the age of 6, Vera developed a lifelong passion for the roaring game. In our conversation, we cover her development at the University of Saskatchewan where she honed her curling skills and her studies, eventually blending the two as part of her PhD in Sports Psychology. Vera won 4 Canadian Championships as Team Saskatchewan. First as third for Joyce McKee in 1969, then sk...
Episode 14 - Matt Baldwin, Part 2
February 02, 2017 09:00 - 53 minutes - 36.6 MBIn Part 2 of my conversation with Matt Baldwin, we'll cover the 1958 Brier in Victoria, where Alberta landed in a playoff against a young Braunstein rink from Manitoba. Matt will share the disappointment of perhaps his best rink, when in 1960 he teamed with Hector Gervais, and didn't reach the Brier. You'll hear about Hector, Garnett Campbell, Ernie Richardson, and Matt's confrontation with Paul Gowsell in the finals of the Vernon Carspiel. Matt tells stories from the 1971 "Blizzard" Brie...
Episode 13 - Matt Baldwin, Part 1
January 30, 2017 09:00 - 1 hour - 53.2 MBMatt Baldwin begins with a story about Gordie Howe's sister in small town Saskatchewan. From there we head to Saskatoon and then Edmonton, where he (eventually) graduates with a degree in a new program for petroleum engineering. Matt's curling begins during wartime, develops through university, and in the winter of 1954 he's able to convince a local rival to join forces in playdowns with hopes of reaching the first ever Edmonton Brier. At 27, Matt became the youngest Brier winning skip (a ...
Episode 12 - Paul Gowsell
January 23, 2017 09:00 - 1 hour - 61.7 MBPaul Gowsell had irrational confidence from an early age. While other junior curlers were learning the game by challenging their peers, Gowsell was taking cash and cars from the best teams in the world. When Neil Houston and Glen Jackson graduated from Team Gowsell's junior ranks after their Uniroyal World Championship in 1976, they continued as part of Paul's bonspiel team, even while he and lead Kelly Stearne picked up John Ferguson and Doug McFarlane to win the '77 Canadian Juniors and ...
Episode 11 - Rod Hunter
January 16, 2017 09:00 - 1 hour - 74.2 MBRod Hunter now resides in Viking, Alberta, made famous for a local family with six brothers who all played in the NHL. Rod, AKA "The Arrow", found his curling fame in Manitoba, where he qualified for the Brier 4 times from 1970 to 1975, winning twice as vice for Don Duguid. That same Duguid rink also captured back-to-back Air Canada Silver Broom World Championships in 1970 and '71, going undefeated in 17 straight games. Rod will share his experiences from those events, the near misses in ...
Episode 10 - Mike Riley
January 09, 2017 09:00 - 55 minutes - 38 MBMike Riley had a passion for curling, but it never fully consumed him. Mike reached his greatest success when he found balance in pursuing business and travel along with his curling aspirations. As a high school curler, Mike remembers anticipating Christmas more for the Winnipeg Junior Bonspiel than the presents under the tree. As a young skip, he recalls testing his mettle against the legendary Don Duguid rink in the early 70s, and gaining confidence from the experience. Don's teammates...
Episode 9 - Ed Lukowich
January 02, 2017 16:03 - 1 hour - 63.1 MBEd Lukowich has been there in Curling. "Fast" Eddy has been central to some of the greatest shifts in the history of the game. He learned to curl in Speers, Saskatchewan, back while the sliding rules were being shaped. Four decades later he won the Moncton 100, the no-hit bonspiel that ushered in the Free Guard Zone era. From the Richardsons to Kevin Martin, he's battled Legends from every living generation. In 1973, with a chance to join a young Paul Savage, Ed may have been one of the...
Episode 8 - Warren Hansen, Part 2
December 29, 2016 09:00 - 1 hour - 49.2 MBIn Part 2 of my conversation with Warren Hansen, we'll dive deep into the Winter Olympics. Warren will share how curling came to be a demonstration sport in 1988 and the efforts involved to secure status as a full medal event in 1998. You might be surprised to hear how it was nearly dropped, because of a Canadian, and may have been saved by a Japanese billionaire. Warren will also address the controversy surrounding the Curling Trials for those Calgary Olympics and the clash with Ed Weren...
Episode 7 - Warren Hansen, Part 1
December 26, 2016 09:00 - 57 minutes - 39.4 MBWarren Hansen loves curling. Growing up in Namao, Alberta, it was a passion rivaled only by football. Warren played and coached for several years with the Edmonton Huskies of the Canadian Junior Football league, but eventually curling took centre stage. It became more than just a seasonal endeavour as a player, it became a path for his life's purpose. From Brier winner with Hector Gervais, to coaching, event management, media relations and Olympic training and development, Warren has cov...
Episode 6 - Errol Klinck
December 19, 2016 06:15 - 1 hour - 31.3 MBErrol Klinck, better known as "Colonel", started curling in Regina with his father. His grandfather, Ozzie Barkwell, skipped the team representing Western Canada at the first Brier, held in Toronto in 1927. After moving to Winnipeg, Colonel landed a sparing role, filling in for Bryan Wood and helping the Duguid rink capture the Birks Trophy (Main Event) in the 1971 MCA Bonspiel. Errol would skip his own team to the same title in 1974, winning a berth into the provincial Tankard and the Ca...
Episode 5 - Neil Houston
December 12, 2016 08:00 - 1 hour - 31.7 MBNeil Houston is now an Event Manager for Curling Canada. He has been instrumental in bringing the Brier to large NHL arenas and showcasing curling at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. Over forty years ago, he teamed with second Glen Jackson, lead Kelly Stearne and skip Paul Gowsell to form perhaps the greatest junior team in history. The Gowsell squad stormed through the Canadian and World Juniors, while combating mens teams on the cashpiel circuit...and winning. To the older crew cut players...
Episode 4 - Ernie Richardson
December 05, 2016 05:43 - 1 hour - 32.7 MBErnie Richardson still lives in Saskatchewan, a province he represented at the Brier 5 times. In 1959, Ernie and his family rink of brother Garnet "Sam" Richardson and cousins Arnold and Wes Richardson won their first Canadian Championship. They were swiftly flown overseas to compete as Team Canada in the first ever World Championship (originally known as the Scotch Cup) against Willie Young of Scotland. The Richardsons repeated as Brier champions in 1960 and '62. Wes departed due to bac...
Episode 3 - Art Lobel
November 27, 2016 17:20 - 1 hour - 35.6 MBArt Lobel was born near Virden, Manitoba, then started curling as a teenager in Winnipeg...except he wasn't very good. He was actually more skilled at target shooting. Eventually Art made his way to Quebec and his curling improved. Quite a bit in fact. Art qualified for the Canadian Mixed, then appeared in 5 Briers for Quebec, first with Bill Kent (originally from Virden) and later with Jim Ursel, who hailed from the same Winnipeg high school Art had attended. Along with their front end ...
Episode 2 - Terry Braunstein
November 21, 2016 04:19 - 1 hour - 37.2 MBTerry Braunstein has the unique distinction of a rule being named after him. Until recently (2015), the "Braunstein Rule" prohibited junior teams of high school ages from competing in mens and womens Tankard playdowns. Terry, along with brother Ron, Ray Turnbull and Jack Van Hellemond surprised the Manitoba and Canadian curling elite by qualifying for the Brier and then making it into a final game playoff against Matt Baldwin in 1958. In 1965 Terry would return with Ron, Ray and Don Dugui...
Episode 1 - Pat Ryan
November 14, 2016 06:00 - 1 hour - 37.3 MBPat Ryan grew up curling in Winnipeg, where he perfected his tuck slide delivery, but found his greatest success in Alberta. Following his heartbreaking loss to Al Hackner in the 1985 Brier, Pat would go on to build a team with Randy Ferbey, Don Walchuk and Don McKenzie. The "Ryan Express" won back-to-back Briers in 1988 and '89 with advanced hitting abilities that transformed the game and helped lead to the adoption of the free guard zone in the 1990s. After moving to British Columbia,...