Curling Legends Podcast

In Part 2 of my conversation with Harvey Mazinke we begin with a Paul Gowsell story, discuss the original Labatt Brier cresting, re-writing of the "burnt stone" rule, hogline officials and the controversy surrounding the qualifying for the 1988 Olympics. Harvey was President of the Canadian Curling Association from 1987-1988 and takes us behind the scenes from that era. We eventually head back to...

Harvey Mazinke influenced curling as a player and a builder.  Growing up in Manitoba, Harvey reached the Brier in 1964 with Bruce Hudson, but moved to Saskatchewan a few years later.  Eventually he built a team of Billy Martin at third, George Achtymichuk at second and Dan Klippenstein at lead.  In 1973 they broke through to win the Brier in Edmonton.  The reward was a return trip home to Regina f...

Anne Merklinger understands the mind of an athlete. As a swimmer she competed with the University of South Carolina and Canada's national team, a choice that delayed her curling pursuits for four years. Eventually Anne returned to Ottawa and skipped a team that would battle the best in Canada for a decade. Her rink of third Theresa Breen, second Patti McKnight and lead Audrey Frey won four Ontario...

Bob Weeks joins Kevin to discuss TSN's recent attempt to rank Canada's Greatest Curlers (35:45).  Bob explains how the process came together and they discuss the many challenges of trying to rank curlers from different eras.  Eventually they dig into the categories and compare their choices with the results.  Before talking to Bob (35:45), Kevin is joined by Mickey Duzyj, creator of the Netflix sp...

Rick Folk was meant to throw the last rock.  His ability to focus while remaining calm under pressure worked for both golf and curling.  After coming up short in his first two Briers (1978 and '79), Rick, along with Ron Mills and the Wilson Brothers (Tom and Jim) became the first team to lift the Labatt Tankard Trophy in 1980.  Rick's focus was tested at the World Championships in Moncton, where t...

Bob Picken had a voice for curling.  An accomplished skip who nearly won a Purple Heart at the 1963 Manitoba Provincials, Bob became widely known for his other contributions to the sport.  His distinct broadcasting sound covered many Briers and World Championships and his involvement with the CCA and the International Curling Federation helped usher in the Uniroyal World Junior Men's Championship...

Rick Lang had an awkward start with success.  His first purple heart was won as third for Bill Tetley, but he had spared for Tom Todd and the uncertainty of who would go to the Brier hung over that evening's banquet.  Rick did make the trip and their rink would win the 1975 Brier in Fredericton but fall short at the World Championships a few weeks later.  The next season Rick was back on the open...

Ron Anton was the original boy wonder.  He started skipping a men's team at the age of sixteen.  With his father at third, they reached the semifinals of the Swift Current Carspiel in 1959, holding their own against the great Matt Baldwin.  Matt's third in the event, Hec Gervais, returned to skipping a year later and recruited Ron as his vice.  Joined with Ray Werner and Wally Ursuliak, they would...

Lloyd Yerama would sooner curl than eat.  The second of 13 children, Lloyd grew up in Gilbert Plains, Manitoba, learning to curl on a unique two sheeter that had the hockey rink sandwiched in between.  It was in 1968 that Lloyd and teammates Roy Berry and Jack Yuill picked up Burke Parker as their fourth for the local zone playdowns and found themselves representing Manitoba at the Brier in Kelown...

Robin Wilson grew up a fighter.  She was active in supporting social change during the early 1970's and, after earning her business degree, applied for positions in male dominant companies. Her path eventually led to one of the greatest sponsorships in sport.  Robin met Lindsay Davie at the North Shore Winter Club while in their early teens.  Robin, her sister Dawn, Lindsay and Lorraine Bowles wou...

Pierre Charette may have been a little feisty. Regardless of his position for Team Quebec at the Brier (and he played them all) he was intensely focused on trying to win.  During a phenomenal run in the late nineties, he nearly won it all.  Teamed with Guy Hemmings and the front end of Dale Ness and Guy Thibaudeau, Pierre reached two consecutive Brier finals in 1998 and '99.  Pierre reflects on th...

Ron Green grew up in the Toronto curling scene of the 1960s. After a close loss in the Ontario school boys, the opposing skip asked if he would join up the following year.  Ron would go on to curl with Paul Savage for over a decade, with three trips to the Brier and a lifetime of memories.  Ron talks about his early heartbreak, just missing out on a Purple Heart in 1969. Then he explains how the t...

Linda Moore was always willing to have an open mind.  After losing the Scotties final in 1986, instead of a direct entry to the first ever Olympic Trials, the Moore rink had to participate in the evaluation camp before qualifying to compete.  When told in advance they could be split up as a result, rather than battle the process they went ahead and kept a positive attitude.  The result was a gold...

Ian Tetley isn't afraid to give his input.  Sometimes a front-end player has to speak out before the wrong shot is called.  According to Ian, his teammates were often too quiet to speak up...so he had to.  His enthusiasm for curling began while watching father Bill win the Brier in 1975.  When he and teammate Pat Perroud got a call to join Al Hackner, he went to his first Brier, and won.  Ian went...

In 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.

Don 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 disapp...

Barry 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 Mix...

Welcome 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 (30:52) starte...

Joan 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 h...

Pal 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.  The...

John 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...

Kim 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 Arsena...

Bob 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...

In 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.  

Marilyn 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 Lad...