2001 World Jr. Women’s champs among inductees at 2023 PEI Curling Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony held in Cornwall

The PEI Curling Hall of Fame and Museum held its 15th induction ceremony on November 3rd, 2023 at the Cornwall Civic Centre, upstairs from the Cornwall Curling Club, with inductees the Suzanne Gaudet junior team, who won the 2001 World Junior Women’s Curling Championship, along with Curler/Builder Arleen Harris, and curlers Sean Ledgerwood and Janice MacCallum.

Click below to listen to an audio recording of the proceedings.

 

2001 World Junior Champions behind portraits from artist Wayne Wright: (L-R) skip Suzanne Gaudet (now Birt), third Stefanie Richard (now Clark), second Robyn MacPhee,  lead Kelly Higgins (now Steele), coach Paul Power. Alternate Carol Webb (now Whitaker) was unable to attend due to a curling commitment.

Inductees Suzanne (Gaudet) Birt and Paul Power

Inductee Arleen Harris

Board member Al Ledgerwood (left) and inductee Sean Ledgerwood

Janice MacCallum was unable to attend due to a family matter, so Al Ledgerwood spoke and Shelley Muzika accepted on her behalf.

Al Ledgerwood and Shelley Muzika with certificate for Janice MacCallum

Master of Ceremonies was Paul H. Schurman, with dignitaries present including Judy Herlihy from the Town of Cornwall, Curl PEI Secretary Travis Jones, and Cornwall Curling Club President Kim Nickerson.

Kim Nickerson Travis Jones
Judy Herlihy, with Paul H. Schurman in the background

This year’s ceremony is sponsored by Peter and Karen MacDonald, along with Peake & McInnis Ltd. Insurance Brokers, Beaton’s Wholesale Dry Goods Ltd., Phillips Agri Services, the Town of Cornwall, and Consolidated Credit Union Ltd., Summerside.

Here is a gallery of photos from the event. Click on an image to enlarge, and use arrows (or swipe on a touchscreen) to go ahead/back.:

Inductee Bios:

2001 Suzanne Gaudet rink (Curler category)

L-R (back row): Suzanne Gaudet (now Birt), Robyn MacPhee, Paul Power, Kelly Higgins (now Steele), Stefanie Richard (now Clark).
Front row: Carol Webb (now Whitaker) — Alternate

Suzanne Gaudet, along with Stefanie Richard, began curling with the Krista Cameron rink, winning silver at the Canada Winter Games in 1995. In 1998, Suzanne moved up to skip her own team, with Stefanie at third, Stephanie Pickett at second, and Kelly Higgins at lead. At an average age of fourteen and a half, they swept the provincial junior championships, and, despite being the youngest team at the Canadian juniors in Calgary, they won the bronze medal with a 9-4 record. 

The following year, with the same team, they went to the national event held in Kelowna, BC, finishing with a 6-6 record.

In 2000, Robyn MacPhee joined the team, playing second stone, replacing Stephanie Pickett. They won their third Provincial title, and played in the Canadian Junior Women’s Championship held in Moncton. Their record was 10-3, finishing in second position, losing to Saskatchewan’s Stefanie Miller (now Lawton).

In 2001, winning their fourth Provincial title, they won the Canadian Junior Women’s Curling Championship held in St. Catharines Ontario. In a reversal of the previous year, they defeated Saskatchewan’s Miller 5-3 in the gold medal game. Stefanie Richard, known for her flamboyant style and emotion on the ice, sported a fluorescent red hair style with a silver streak during the competition. 

They went on to curl at the World Junior Women’s Curling Championship held in Ogden, Utah, picking up Carol Webb as their fifth team member. Carol, from New Brunswick, played third for Sylvie Robichaud’s Moncton team. The Canadian Curling Association provided an assistant coach, Mary Gellard, from Markham, Ont. Mary’s daughter Kim Gellard competed in a number of Canadian Junior and Women’s championships and the 1994 World Juniors, with Mary coaching several of them. Mary’s experience assisted coach Paul Power and the team as she was familiar with most of the teams competing. The team manager was Suzanne’s father, Noel Gaudet. 

PEI’s team won gold at the world championship event in Ogden, finishing round robin play in first place, with a record of 7—2. They beat Japan 11—3 in the semifinal. They played Sweden in the final, going into an extra end. With Sweden having the last rock advantage, the Swedish skip had an open draw to anywhere in the rings, but she was heavy, and slid through the house, The final score was 6-4 for Canada over Sweden. Kelly Higgins was named to the all-star team, and Stefanie Richard won the sportsmanship award.    

 In 2002, Stefanie Richard became ineligible due to age, and was replaced by Carol Webb, who played at second stone, and Robyn moved up to play at the third position.  The rink won a record fifth consecutive Provincial title, going undefeated at 5-0.

They went on to curl at the Canadian Junior Curling Championship, held in Summerside. This was the first time in Canadian history that a defending women’s champion was trying to retain the title at her host club. 

They curled at the Cahill Stadium hockey venue, where there was more than 1,800 people in attendance for most games. The Summerside foursome finished second in round robin play with a 10-2 record. They beat Saskatchewan in the semifinal, at the Silver Fox Curling and Yacht Club (not at Cahill), and advanced to their third consecutive appearance in the Canadian junior women’s championship final, playing Jennifer Guzzwell of Newfoundland at Cahill Stadium, before 2,200 fans in the final game. They beat Jennifer 6-4, when she missed her take out with her last rock. Suzanne Gaudet received the first all-star skip honours, and third stone Robyn MacPhee received all-star third. They picked up Newfoundland’s third stone, Shelley Nichols, as their fifth player. Suzanne’s team would go to Kelowna B.C. to play in the World Junior Women’s Championship. They lost to the USA team, who went on to win the gold medal, in the semi-final round. The PEI team took the bronze medal, with a win over Italy, ending their junior championship career with another podium finish.

PEI’s Suzanne Gaudet’s Junior Women’s team won five consecutive Prince Edward Island Junior Women’s curling titles, starting in 1998 and finishing in 2002.  They won two Canadian Junior Women’s titles, a World Junior Women’s Curling  Championship, and a World Junior bronze medal.

We recognize their achievements by inducting the Suzanne Gaudet Junior team consisting of Suzanne M. Birt (Gaudet), Stefanie Clark (Richard), Robyn MacPhee, Kelly Steele (Higgins), Coach Paul Power, and alternate Carol Whitaker (Webb) into the PEI Curling Hall of Fame and Museum in the curler category.

Recent photos:

Suzanne Birt (Gaudet) Stefanie Clark (Richard) Robyn MacPhee
Kelly Steele (Higgins) Coach Paul Power Alternate Carol Whitaker (Webb)

 

Arleen Harris  (Curler and Builder categories)

Arleen Harris

Arleen started curling in 1964 at the Charlottetown Curling Club.

She won her first PEI championship in 1998, skipping her rink to victory in the PEI Senior Women’s Curling Championship. Playing third was Kaye MacFadyen, second was Joan Saulnier, and lead was Betty Matthews. They went on to curl in the Canadian Senior Women’s Curling Championship held in Sault Ste Marie Ont.

Her next championship win came in 2002 with Shirley Berry skipping, Sherren Morrison at third, Arleen at second, and Linda Fairhurst at lead, and representing the Cornwall Curling Club – the club’s first-ever adult provincial curling title.

In 2004, she won again with the same skip and lead, Arleen played third, with Karen McIntee at second. 

In 2009, she won again with skip Shirley Berry, Arleen at third, second was Carol Sweetapple, and lead was Danielle Girard. 

The team changed in 2010 to include Shirley Berry at skip, Sandy Hope at third, Shelley Ebbett at second, and Arleen at lead. This team won the senior women’s in 2010, 2012, and 2015. Arleen won her last senior women’s provincial title in 2018 with Shirley Berry skipping, Janice Murdoch  at third, Arleen at second, and lead  Kim Nicholson. 

Arleen won eight PEI Women’s Master’s Curling Championships, playing second the first two years and at the lead position the last six years. In 2012 and 2014, Shirley Berry skipped the team, with Sandy Hope at third, Arleen at second, and lead was Evelyn Rogerson.

 In 2015, the only change was Shelley Ebbett playing second and Arleen at lead position. In 2016, Sandy Hope skipped, Shelley Ebbett played third, Debbie Rhodenhizer was at second position, and Arleen was at lead. This same team won in 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020.

Arleen has worked as a volunteer in curling since the early 1980’s. She started her volunteer career with the CFB Summerside Curling Club as a Board of Directors member in 1982. She was a delegate to the PEI Curling Association, which led to her serving on the host committee of the 1984 Scott Tournament of Hearts, being responsible for pins and logos and products for sale.

Arleen started officiating in the mid-80s as a hog line official, working her first national event at the Canadian Mixed Curling Championship. This involved sitting at the hog line with a walkie talkie, and paired up with a partner on the opposite side of the sheet.

She achieved her officiating level 2 certification in 2002, and her level 3 in 2007. She is now fully certified to teach and conduct the level 1 and level 2 written exams. Arleen can also supervise those successful officials in their practical component. 

She brings extensive experience and knowledge to all events in terms of officiating, including hog line official, on-ice observer, head official, umpire, and timer.  She has officiated at many Canadian curling championships events held on the Island.

Arleen was an on-ice official at the Canada Games Mixed Doubles, which she notes was a completely different experience, with 3 officials for each draw for each sheet and tasked with three draws a day – a new experience but one she thoroughly enjoyed.  

Championships that she has officiated at on PEI include the Canadian Juniors, Seniors, Mixed and Women’s events, plus many Island curling events as well.

Arleen has served on the Board of Directors of three curling clubs — CFB Summerside, the Charlottetown Curling Club and the Cornwall Curling Club. She was treasurer at the Cornwall Club and has served as a delegate to the PEI Curling Association for all three clubs.  

Arleen served on the Board of Directors of the PEI Curling Association. She was a delegate from the Charlottetown Curling Club in 1990, and continued until 1992, when she was elected 3rd vice president of the PEI Curling Association. Arleen went on to serve as 2nd vice, 1st vice then president followed by completing her term on the board as past president in 1997.

Arleen served on the Board of Directors of the PEI Curling Hall of Fame and Museum for six years and served as recording secretary for six years. 

Arleen has had a stellar career as a curler with eight Provincial Senior Women’s Curling Championships, eight Provincial Women’s Masters Championships, and also had a dedicated and wide-spanning officiating and volunteering career since the early 1980’s.  Arleen was be inducted as a curler/builder into the PEI Curling Hall of Fame and Museum.  

Sean Ledgerwood (Curler category)

Sean Ledgerwood

Sean started curling at the Belvedere Golf and Winter Club in 1981. After coming runner-up in 3 consecutive provincial junior championships from 1986 to 1988, he won the 1989 title, skipping a team of Paul Power, Ian Power and Dean MacDonald. The team was coached at the national event by the late Kenneth MacDonald.

During those junior years, in 1987 he won the Canada Games Curling Championship for PEI, with skip Mike Callaghan, third Andrew Robinson, Sean at second and Morley Foy at lead. The late Gary Cudmore coached the team at the national event. 

In 2004, Sean won his first Prince Edward Island Men’s Curling Championship, playing lead with skip Mike Gaudet, third Evan Sullivan, and second Craig Arsenault.

After taking several years off to spend time with a young family, he came back to curling and won the PEI Men’s Curling Championship in 2013, playing lead for the team of skip Eddie MacKenzie, third Anson Carmody, and second Alex MacFadyen.

Sean repeated as the PEI Men’s Curling Champion in 2014 with a similar team of skip Eddie MacKenzie, third Anson Carmody, second Tyler MacKenzie, with Sean at lead. 

Switching to third stone, Sean was back in the winners’ circle again in 2017, winning the PEI Men’s Curling Championship, this time with skip Eddie MacKenzie, second Matthew Nabuurs and lead Robbie Doherty. 

Another repeat PEI Men’s Curling Championship occurred in 2018 with skip Eddie MacKenzie, third Josh Barry, second Christopher Gallant and Sean at lead.

Sean won his first PEI Senior Men’s Curling Championship in 2020 with skip Phil Gorveatt, third Kevin Champion, Sean at second and lead Mike Dillon. 

In 2021 Sean won two provincial championships — his sixth PEI Men’s and his second PEI Senior Men’s title. The men’s team consisted of skip Eddie MacKenzie, third Tyler Smith, Sean at second and lead Ryan Lowery.

The senior men’s team, which again included skip Phil Gorveatt, third Kevin Champion, Sean at second and lead Mike Dillon, also won in 2022 and 2023, making four Senior titles for the team.

Sean was also the Team PEI coach at the Tim Horton’s Brier in 2023 with the team consisting of skip Tyler Smith, third Adam Cocks, second Alex MacFadyen and lead Edward White.

Sean’s curling career has spanned 42 years, and has resulted in one PEI Canada Games, one PEI Junior title, six PEI Men’s championships (five of them with skip Eddie MacKenzie), and four PEI Senior Men’s championships (all with the same team, skipped by Phil Gorveatt).

Sean was inducted into the PEI Curling Hall of Fame and Museum as a curler.

Janice MacCallum (Curler category)

 

Janice MacCallum

In 1977, at the age of 11, Janice MacCallum started curling at the Charlottetown Curling Club, in the Queen Charlotte after-school curling program under the tutelage of coach Marilyn Sutherland. This was the start of a curling career that spanned over 30 years.

Janice made her first national appearance representing PEI at the Canada Winter Games in 1983 in Saguenay-Lac St. Jean, Quebec, playing third for Heather Madar; other teammates were Shelley Muzika and Karolyn Godfrey. The coach was Marilyn Sutherland.

In 1984, after a few runner-up finishes, Janice was successful in winning the provincial junior championship, and represented PEI at the Canadian Juniors in Fort St. John, BC, skipping her own team of Shelley Muzika, Karolyn Godfrey and Anne Partridge. The coach was Dr. Bob Johnston.

Stepping away from curling for a few years to focus on her university studies, Janice returned to PEI and to curling in 1989. In 1990, Janice represented PEI at her first of six Canadian Scott Tournament of Hearts appearances in Ottawa, playing lead for skip Kim Dolan, with Karen Jones at third and Shelley Muzika playing second.

Brandon, Manitoba in 1993 was the next Canadian Scott Tournament of Hearts event for Janice, representing PEI along with skip Angela Roberts, third Sara Gatchell, and Nancy Reid (Cameron) at lead. Their coach was Bill Gatchell.

In 1994, in Kitchener-Waterloo Ont., Janice had her most successful record to-date at her third national Scott appearance, playing second stone for skip Shelly Danks (Bradley), along with third Nancy Reid, and lead Shelley Muzika. Team PEI was at the top of the standings much of the week and finished the round robin with a 7 and 4 win-loss record, making it to the playoff tiebreaker round before losing to Newfoundland. Joan Butcher was the fifth player/coach.

In 2000, the national Scott was held in Prince George BC. This would be Janice’s fourth national Scott playing for Team PEI. She played third for skip Shelly Bradley, with Leslie Allan (now MacDougall) at second and Tricia MacGregor at lead, with coach Pat Reid.

That same team line up defended their provincial women’s title in 2001 and represented PEI at the Scott in Sudbury, Ontario. Much like 1994, Team PEI was again at the top of the standings all week and made it to the playoff tiebreaker round before losing to Ontario. Pat Reid was again the team’s coach.

The Canadian Mixed was held in Charlottetown in 1996, where Janice played third for Team PEI’s Blair Weeks, with Doug Weeks playing second and Shelley Muzika at lead.

Janice’s second trip to the Canadian Mixed Championships came in 2004, where she played third for skip John Likely. Other PEI team members at the event held in Timmins, Ontario were Mark Butler at second and Nancy Cameron at lead. 

2004 was a busy curling year for Janice as she also represented PEI at her sixth Scott appearance this time in Red Deer, Alberta, playing second for skip Suzanne Gaudet. Third was Susan McInnis, with lead Tricia MacGregor and coach Paul Power.

Provincial runner-up finishes in both junior and women’s play are also part of Janice’s curling career, including:

1986 — runner-up in women’s provincial playdowns, playing second for skip Nancy Reid, third Joan Butcher and lead Shelley Muzika.

1995 — runner up in women’s provincial playdowns, playing second for skip Kim Dolan, third Nancy Reid and lead Shelley Muzika.

Janice’s impressive curling career has spanned over thirty years and has seen her win one provincial Canada Games, one provincial junior women’s, two provincial mixed and six provincial women’s championship titles. 

Janice was inducted into the PEI Curling Hall of Fame and Museum as a curler.

 

 

 

 

 

PEI Curling Hall of Fame to induct 2001 World Jr. Women’s Champs plus three other inductees on Fri. Nov. 3rd

The Prince Edward Island Curling Hall of Fame and Museum is set to host its fifteenth induction ceremony on Friday November 3rd 2023 at the Cornwall Civic Centre hall, upstairs from the Cornwall Curling Club. 

The 2001 World Junior Women’s Championship team, skipped by Suzanne Gaudet, will be inducted, along with Arleen Harris (Curler/Builder), Sean Ledgerwood (Curler), and Janice MacCallum (Curler).

“Recognizing the accomplishments of curlers and builders who have dedicated their time and energy to the sport of curling is an important component of our curling history”, says Jerry Muzika, Chairman of the PEI Curling Hall of Fame and Museum.  He invites everyone to come out and honour the inductees.

The main objectives of the Curling Hall of Fame and Museum are to recognize, honour and pay tribute to individuals or teams on the basis of playing ability, as an amateur or a professional (“Curler” category), and to individuals who have given distinguished service and have made major contributions to the development of curling on Prince Edward Island (“Builder” category).

The event, with host Paul H. Schurman, gets underway at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $10.00 per person and will be available at the door.

This year’s ceremony is sponsored by Peter and Karen MacDonald, along with Peake & McInnis Ltd. Insurance Brokers, Beaton’s Wholesale Dry Goods Ltd., Phillips Agri Services, the Town of Cornwall, and Consolidated Credit Union Ltd., Summerside.

Inductees:

2001 Suzanne Gaudet rink (Curler category)

L-R (back row): Suzanne Gaudet (now Birt), Robyn MacPhee, Paul Power, Kelly Higgins (now Steele), Stefanie Richard (now Clark).
Front row: Carol Webb (now Whitaker) — Alternate

Suzanne Gaudet, along with Stefanie Richard, began curling with the Krista Cameron rink, winning silver at the Canada Winter Games in 1995. In 1998, Suzanne moved up to skip her own team, with Stefanie at third, Stephanie Pickett at second, and Kelly Higgins at lead. At an average age of fourteen and a half, they swept the provincial junior championships, and, despite being the youngest team at the Canadian juniors in Calgary, they won the bronze medal with a 9-4 record. 

The following year, with the same team, they went to the national event held in Kelowna, BC, finishing with a 6-6 record.

In 2000, Robyn MacPhee joined the team, playing second stone, replacing Stephanie Pickett. They won their third Provincial title, and played in the Canadian Junior Women’s Championship held in Moncton. Their record was 10-3, finishing in second position, losing to Saskatchewan’s Stefanie Miller (now Lawton).

In 2001, winning their fourth Provincial title, they won the Canadian Junior Women’s Curling Championship held in St. Catharines Ontario. In a reversal of the previous year, they defeated Saskatchewan’s Miller 5-3 in the gold medal game. Stefanie Richard, known for her flamboyant style and emotion on the ice, sported a fluorescent red hair style with a silver streak during the competition. 

They went on to curl at the World Junior Women’s Curling Championship held in Ogden, Utah, picking up Carol Webb as their fifth team member. Carol, from New Brunswick, played third for Sylvie Robichaud’s Moncton team. The Canadian Curling Association provided an assistant coach, Mary Gellard, from Markham, Ont. Mary’s daughter Kim Gellard competed in a number of Canadian Junior and Women’s championships and the 1994 World Juniors, with Mary coaching several of them. Mary’s experience assisted coach Paul Power and the team as she was familiar with most of the teams competing. The team manager was Suzanne’s father, Noel Gaudet. 

PEI’s team won gold at the world championship event in Ogden, finishing round robin play in first place, with a record of 7—2. They beat Japan 11—3 in the semifinal. They played Sweden in the final, going into an extra end. With Sweden having the last rock advantage, the Swedish skip had an open draw to anywhere in the rings, but she was heavy, and slid through the house, The final score was 6-4 for Canada over Sweden. Kelly Higgins was named to the all-star team, and Stefanie Richard won the sportsmanship award.    

 In 2002, Stefanie Richard became ineligible due to age, and was replaced by Carol Webb, who played at second stone, and Robyn moved up to play at the third position.  The rink won a record fifth consecutive Provincial title, going undefeated at 5-0.

They went on to curl at the Canadian Junior Curling Championship, held in Summerside. This was the first time in Canadian history that a defending women’s champion was trying to retain the title at her host club. 

They curled at the Cahill Stadium hockey venue, where there was more than 1,800 people in attendance for most games. The Summerside foursome finished second in round robin play with a 10-2 record. They beat Saskatchewan in the semifinal, at the Silver Fox Curling and Yacht Club (not at Cahill), and advanced to their third consecutive appearance in the Canadian junior women’s championship final, playing Jennifer Guzzwell of Newfoundland at Cahill Stadium, before 2,200 fans in the final game. They beat Jennifer 6-4, when she missed her take out with her last rock. Suzanne Gaudet received the first all-star skip honours, and third stone Robyn MacPhee received all-star third. They picked up Newfoundland’s third stone, Shelley Nichols, as their fifth player. Suzanne’s team would go to Kelowna B.C. to play in the World Junior Women’s Championship. They lost to the USA team, who went on to win the gold medal, in the semi-final round. The PEI team took the bronze medal, with a win over Italy, ending their junior championship career with another podium finish.

PEI’s Suzanne Gaudet’s Junior Women’s team won five consecutive Prince Edward Island Junior Women’s curling titles, starting in 1998 and finishing in 2002.  They won two Canadian Junior Women’s titles, a World Junior Women’s Curling  Championship, and a World Junior bronze medal.

We recognize their achievements by inducting the Suzanne Gaudet Junior team consisting of Suzanne M. Birt (Gaudet), Stefanie Clark (Richard), Robyn MacPhee, Kelly Steele (Higgins), Coach Paul Power, and alternate Carol Whitaker (Webb) into the PEI Curling Hall of Fame and Museum in the curler category.

Recent photos:

Suzanne Birt (Gaudet) Stefanie Clark (Richard) Robyn MacPhee
Kelly Steele (Higgins) Coach Paul Power Alternate Carol Whitaker (Webb)

 

Arleen Harris  (Curler and Builder categories)

Arleen Harris

Arleen started curling in 1964 at the Charlottetown Curling Club.

She won her first PEI championship in 1998, skipping her rink to victory in the PEI Senior Women’s Curling Championship. Playing third was Kaye MacFadyen, second was Joan Saulnier, and lead was Betty Matthews. They went on to curl in the Canadian Senior Women’s Curling Championship held in Sault Ste Marie Ont.

Her next championship win came in 2002 with Shirley Berry skipping, Sherren Morrison at third, Arleen at second, and Linda Fairhurst at lead, and representing the Cornwall Curling Club – the club’s first-ever adult provincial curling title.

In 2004, she won again with the same skip and lead, Arleen played third, with Karen McIntee at second. 

In 2009, she won again with skip Shirley Berry, Arleen at third, second was Carol Sweetapple, and lead was Danielle Girard. 

The team changed in 2010 to include Shirley Berry at skip, Sandy Hope at third, Shelley Ebbett at second, and Arleen at lead. This team won the senior women’s in 2010, 2012, and 2015. Arleen won her last senior women’s provincial title in 2018 with Shirley Berry skipping, Janice Murdoch  at third, Arleen at second, and lead  Kim Nicholson. 

Arleen won eight PEI Women’s Master’s Curling Championships, playing second the first two years and at the lead position the last six years. In 2012 and 2014, Shirley Berry skipped the team, with Sandy Hope at third, Arleen at second, and lead was Evelyn Rogerson.

 In 2015, the only change was Shelley Ebbett playing second and Arleen at lead position. In 2016, Sandy Hope skipped, Shelley Ebbett played third, Debbie Rhodenhizer was at second position, and Arleen was at lead. This same team won in 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020.

Arleen has worked as a volunteer in curling since the early 1980’s. She started her volunteer career with the CFB Summerside Curling Club as a Board of Directors member in 1982. She was a delegate to the PEI Curling Association, which led to her serving on the host committee of the 1984 Scott Tournament of Hearts, being responsible for pins and logos and products for sale.

Arleen started officiating in the mid-80s as a hog line official, working her first national event at the Canadian Mixed Curling Championship. This involved sitting at the hog line with a walkie talkie, and paired up with a partner on the opposite side of the sheet.

She achieved her officiating level 2 certification in 2002, and her level 3 in 2007. She is now fully certified to teach and conduct the level 1 and level 2 written exams. Arleen can also supervise those successful officials in their practical component. 

She brings extensive experience and knowledge to all events in terms of officiating, including hog line official, on-ice observer, head official, umpire, and timer.  She has officiated at many Canadian curling championships events held on the Island.

Arleen was an on-ice official at the Canada Games Mixed Doubles, which she notes was a completely different experience, with 3 officials for each draw for each sheet and tasked with three draws a day – a new experience but one she thoroughly enjoyed.  

Championships that she has officiated at on PEI include the Canadian Juniors, Seniors, Mixed and Women’s events, plus many Island curling events as well.

Arleen has served on the Board of Directors of three curling clubs — CFB Summerside, the Charlottetown Curling Club and the Cornwall Curling Club. She was treasurer at the Cornwall Club and has served as a delegate to the PEI Curling Association for all three clubs.  

Arleen served on the Board of Directors of the PEI Curling Association. She was a delegate from the Charlottetown Curling Club in 1990, and continued until 1992, when she was elected 3rd vice president of the PEI Curling Association. Arleen went on to serve as 2nd vice, 1st vice then president followed by completing her term on the board as past president in 1997.

Arleen served on the Board of Directors of the PEI Curling Hall of Fame and Museum for six years and served as recording secretary for six years. 

Arleen has had a stellar career as a curler with eight Provincial Senior Women’s Curling Championships, eight Provincial Women’s Masters Championships, and also had a dedicated and wide-spanning officiating and volunteering career since the early 1980’s.  Arleen will be inducted as a curler/builder into the PEI Curling Hall of Fame and Museum.  

Sean Ledgerwood (Curler category)

Sean Ledgerwood

Sean started curling at the Belvedere Golf and Winter Club in 1981. After coming runner-up in 3 consecutive provincial junior championships from 1986 to 1988, he won the 1989 title, skipping a team of Paul Power, Ian Power and Dean MacDonald. The team was coached at the national event by the late Kenneth MacDonald.

During those junior years, in 1987 he won the Canada Games Curling Championship for PEI, with skip Mike Callaghan, third Andrew Robinson, Sean at second and Morley Foy at lead. The late Gary Cudmore coached the team at the national event. 

In 2004, Sean won his first Prince Edward Island Men’s Curling Championship, playing lead with skip Mike Gaudet, third Evan Sullivan, and second Craig Arsenault.

After taking several years off to spend time with a young family, he came back to curling and won the PEI Men’s Curling Championship in 2013, playing lead for the team of skip Eddie MacKenzie, third Anson Carmody, and second Alex MacFadyen.

Sean repeated as the PEI Men’s Curling Champion in 2014 with a similar team of skip Eddie MacKenzie, third Anson Carmody, second Tyler MacKenzie, with Sean at lead. 

Switching to third stone, Sean was back in the winners’ circle again in 2017, winning the PEI Men’s Curling Championship, this time with skip Eddie MacKenzie, second Matthew Nabuurs and lead Robbie Doherty. 

Another repeat PEI Men’s Curling Championship occurred in 2018 with skip Eddie MacKenzie, third Josh Barry, second Christopher Gallant and Sean at lead.

Sean won his first PEI Senior Men’s Curling Championship in 2020 with skip Phil Gorveatt, third Kevin Champion, Sean at second and lead Mike Dillon. 

In 2021 Sean won two provincial championships — his sixth PEI Men’s and his second PEI Senior Men’s title. The men’s team consisted of skip Eddie MacKenzie, third Tyler Smith, Sean at second and lead Ryan Lowery.

The senior men’s team, which again included skip Phil Gorveatt, third Kevin Champion, Sean at second and lead Mike Dillon, also won in 2022 and 2023, making four Senior titles for the team.

Sean was also the Team PEI coach at the Tim Horton’s Brier in 2023 with the team consisting of skip Tyler Smith, third Adam Cocks, second Alex MacFadyen and lead Edward White.

Sean’s curling career has spanned 42 years, and has resulted in one PEI Canada Games, one PEI Junior title, six PEI Men’s championships (five of them with skip Eddie MacKenzie), and four PEI Senior Men’s championships (all with the same team, skipped by Phil Gorveatt).

Sean will be inducted into the PEI Curling Hall of Fame and Museum as a curler.

Janice MacCallum (Curler category)

 

Janice MacCallum

In 1977, at the age of 11, Janice MacCallum started curling at the Charlottetown Curling Club, in the Queen Charlotte after-school curling program under the tutelage of coach Marilyn Sutherland. This was the start of a curling career that spanned over 30 years.

Janice made her first national appearance representing PEI at the Canada Winter Games in 1983 in Saguenay-Lac St. Jean, Quebec, playing third for Heather Madar; other teammates were Shelley Muzika and Karolyn Godfrey. The coach was Marilyn Sutherland.

In 1984, after a few runner-up finishes, Janice was successful in winning the provincial junior championship, and represented PEI at the Canadian Juniors in Fort St. John, BC, skipping her own team of Shelley Muzika, Karolyn Godfrey and Anne Partridge. The coach was Dr. Bob Johnston.

Stepping away from curling for a few years to focus on her university studies, Janice returned to PEI and to curling in 1989. In 1990, Janice represented PEI at her first of six Canadian Scott Tournament of Hearts appearances in Ottawa, playing lead for skip Kim Dolan, with Karen Jones at third and Shelley Muzika playing second.

Brandon, Manitoba in 1993 was the next Canadian Scott Tournament of Hearts event for Janice, representing PEI along with skip Angela Roberts, third Sara Gatchell, and Nancy Reid (Cameron) at lead. Their coach was Bill Gatchell.

In 1994, in Kitchener-Waterloo Ont., Janice had her most successful record to-date at her third national Scott appearance, playing second stone for skip Shelly Danks (Bradley), along with third Nancy Reid, and lead Shelley Muzika. Team PEI was at the top of the standings much of the week and finished the round robin with a 7 and 4 win-loss record, making it to the playoff tiebreaker round before losing to Newfoundland. Joan Butcher was the fifth player/coach.

In 2000, the national Scott was held in Prince George BC. This would be Janice’s fourth national Scott playing for Team PEI. She played third for skip Shelly Bradley, with Leslie Allan (now MacDougall) at second and Tricia MacGregor at lead, with coach Pat Reid.

That same team line up defended their provincial women’s title in 2001 and represented PEI at the Scott in Sudbury, Ontario. Much like 1994, Team PEI was again at the top of the standings all week and made it to the playoff tiebreaker round before losing to Ontario. Pat Reid was again the team’s coach.

The Canadian Mixed was held in Charlottetown in 1996, where Janice played third for Team PEI’s Blair Weeks, with Doug Weeks playing second and Shelley Muzika at lead.

Janice’s second trip to the Canadian Mixed Championships came in 2004, where she played third for skip John Likely. Other PEI team members at the event held in Timmins, Ontario were Mark Butler at second and Nancy Cameron at lead. 

2004 was a busy curling year for Janice as she also represented PEI at her sixth Scott appearance this time in Red Deer, Alberta, playing second for skip Suzanne Gaudet. Third was Susan McInnis, with lead Tricia MacGregor and coach Paul Power.

Provincial runner-up finishes in both junior and women’s play are also part of Janice’s curling career, including:

1986 — runner-up in women’s provincial playdowns, playing second for skip Nancy Reid, third Joan Butcher and lead Shelley Muzika.

1995 — runner up in women’s provincial playdowns, playing second for skip Kim Dolan, third Nancy Reid and lead Shelley Muzika.

Janice’s impressive curling career has spanned over thirty years and has seen her win one provincial Canada Games, one provincial junior women’s, two provincial mixed and six provincial women’s championship titles. 

Janice will be inducted into the PEI Curling Hall of Fame and Museum as a curler.

 

 

 

 

Jack MacFadyen receives $1000 PEI Curling Hall of Fame Student Bursary

The PEI Curling Hall of Fame has announced that Charlottetown resident Jack MacFadyen, who curls out of the Cornwall and Summerside curling clubs, and is attending UPEI, is the recipient of a $1,000 student bursary for the 2023-2024 curling and academic year, courtesy of anonymous donors who are affiliated with the sport of curling.

Bursary recipient Jack MacFadyen (Photo credit: Curling Canada)

He has been curling for ten years, and has moved up from third stone to the skip position for the 2023-2024 curling season. Click for team Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Team.MacFadyen.Curling.U20

Jack’s many curling accomplishments include: 
2023 Recipient of Erik Bundgaard Spirt Award, U18 National Championship, Timmins, Ontario
2023 U18 Provincial Championships, Dec. 27-31, 2022- 1st Place
2023 Provincial Canada Games Trials, Nov. 3-6, 2022- 1st Place
2023 U18 National Curling Championship, Feb. 5-11, 2023- Quarterfinalists (8th Place) 
2023 Canada Games, Feb. 18th to Mar. 5th 2023- 7th Place 
2023 U21 Provincial Championships, Jan. 11-15, 2023- 2nd Place 
2022 U18 Provincial Championship, Mar. 10-12, 2022 – 2nd Place 
2022 U21 Provincial Championship, Feb. 23-27, 2022 – 2nd Place 
2021 U21 Provincial Championship, Feb 18-21, 2021 – 2nd Place
2021 U18 Provincial Championship, Jan. 8-10, 2021 – 2nd Place
2020 U18 Provincial Championship, Mar. 6-10, 2020 – 1st Place
2020 U16 Provincial Championship, Feb. 28th to Mar. 1st – 1st Place

He has volunteered extensively, as an instructor for Little Rocks curling and for learn to curl events with Charlottetown area schools. 

He is attending UPEI in the Business Administration program, specializing in Accounting.

PEI Curling Hall of Fame and Museum Bursaries are awarded annually to PEI residents enrolled in a full-time post-secondary institution. Other criteria include curling achievements, passion for the sport, and community involvement.

 

Reminder: Application deadline extended to Sept. 15 for 2023-24 PEI Curling Hall of Fame student bursaries

 

The Prince Edward Island Curling Hall of Fame is once again offering bursaries to junior curlers from PEI who will be attending college or university in the upcoming season. As there was a low number of entrants the first round, we are still looking to award the following bursaries: one $1000 bursary for a female curler, plus two $750 bursaries (amount increased from previous years, thanks to generous benefactors), one for a female curler, one for a male. Bursaries are awarded based on financial need and passion for the game. Recipients from previous years are eligible to apply as well as those who have not received one before.

Application Deadline for these bursaries is now September 15, 2023

To be eligible to apply for a bursary, an applicant must be eligible to participate in provincial junior playdowns for the upcoming curling season. Also, an applicant must be enrolled as a full-time student at the university or college they are attending. An applicant can only be awarded one bursary per year. 

Please submit your application form via email to Derek MacEwen at [email protected]

The information provided will be kept confidential.

Click to download Bursary Application Form in MS Word Format

Click to download Bursary Application Form in Adobe PDF Format

Application deadline extended to Sept. 15 for 2023-24 PEI Curling Hall of Fame student bursaries

 

The Prince Edward Island Curling Hall of Fame is once again offering bursaries to junior curlers from PEI who will be attending college or university in the upcoming season. As there was a low number of entrants the first round, we are still looking to award the following bursaries: one $1000 bursary for a female curler, plus two $750 bursaries (amount increased from previous years, thanks to generous benefactors), one for a female curler, one for a male. Bursaries are awarded based on financial need and passion for the game. Recipients from previous years are eligible to apply as well as those who have not received one before.

Application Deadline for these bursaries is now September 15, 2023

To be eligible to apply for a bursary, an applicant must be eligible to participate in provincial junior playdowns for the upcoming curling season. Also, an applicant must be enrolled as a full-time student at the university or college they are attending. An applicant can only be awarded one bursary per year. 

Please submit your application form via email to Derek MacEwen at [email protected]

The information provided will be kept confidential.

Click to download Bursary Application Form in MS Word Format

Click to download Bursary Application Form in Adobe PDF Format

Reminder: Application deadline is June 30 for 2023-24 PEI Curling Hall of Fame student bursaries

 

The Prince Edward Island Curling Hall of Fame is once again offering bursaries to junior curlers from PEI who will be attending college or university in the upcoming season. There are two $1000 bursaries, one for a female curler, one for a male, plus two $750 bursaries (amount increased from previous years, thanks to generous benefactors), one for a female curler, one for a male, for a total of $3500. Bursaries are awarded based on financial need and passion for the game. 

Application Deadline is June 30, 2023

To be eligible to apply for a bursary, an applicant must be eligible to participate in provincial junior playdowns for the upcoming curling season. Also, an applicant must be enrolled as a full-time student at the university or college they are attending. An applicant can only be awarded one bursary per year. Previous recipients are eligible to apply, as well as those who have not previously received a bursary.

Please submit your application form via email to Derek MacEwen at [email protected]

The information provided will be kept confidential.

Click to download Bursary Application Form in MS Word Format

Click to download Bursary Application Form in Adobe PDF Format

Reminder: Application deadline is June 30 for 2023-24 PEI Curling Hall of Fame student bursaries

 

The Prince Edward Island Curling Hall of Fame is once again offering bursaries to junior curlers from PEI who will be attending college or university in the upcoming season. There are two $1000 bursaries, one for a female curler, one for a male, plus two $750 bursaries (amount increased from previous years, thanks to generous benefactors), one for a female curler, one for a male, for a total of $3500. Bursaries are awarded based on financial need and passion for the game. 

Application Deadline is June 30, 2023

To be eligible to apply for a bursary, an applicant must be eligible to participate in provincial junior playdowns for the upcoming curling season. Also, an applicant must be enrolled as a full-time student at the university or college they are attending. An applicant can only be awarded one bursary per year. Previous recipients are eligible to apply, as well as those who have not previously received a bursary.

Please submit your application form via email to Derek MacEwen at [email protected]

The information provided will be kept confidential.

Click to download Bursary Application Form in MS Word Format

Click to download Bursary Application Form in Adobe PDF Format

Application deadline is June 30 for 2023-24 PEI Curling Hall of Fame student bursaries

 

The Prince Edward Island Curling Hall of Fame is once again offering bursaries to junior curlers from PEI who will be attending college or university in the upcoming season. There are two $1000 bursaries, one for a female curler, one for a male, plus two $750 bursaries (amount increased from previous years, thanks to generous benefactors), one for a female curler, one for a male, for a total of $3500. Bursaries are awarded based on financial need and passion for the game. 

Application Deadline is June 30, 2023

To be eligible to apply for a bursary, an applicant must be eligible to participate in provincial junior playdowns for the upcoming curling season. Also, an applicant must be enrolled as a full-time student at the university or college they are attending. An applicant can only be awarded one bursary per year. Previous recipients are eligible to apply, as well as those who have not previously received a bursary.

Please submit your application form via email to Derek MacEwen at [email protected]

The information provided will be kept confidential.

Click to download Bursary Application Form in MS Word Format

Click to download Bursary Application Form in Adobe PDF Format

Former teammates Peter Gallant, Robert Campbell share induction into P.E.I. Sports Hall of Fame (SaltWire Network)

(by Grant Harrison, Special to SaltWire Network)

CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. – Peter Gallant started his curling career at Birchwood Intermediate School over 50 years ago.

Gallant enjoyed the curling section in physical education class so much he joined the after-school curling program.

After all, he only lived a stone’s throw from the Charlottetown Curling Club.

One day, Gallant was playing against the teachers of Birchwood. In the first end, he threw his rock down the ice and split his pants.

He left the ice, ran home, changed his pants and got back on the ice before the second end started.

“I loved the game too much already,” Gallant said after being inducted to the P.E.I. Sports Hall of Fame Nov. 25 in Charlottetown.

Gallant has won 14 provincial championships: nine men’s titles, four mixed and one senior. He has also won a Canadian mixed championship.

As a coach, he commanded the South Korean women’s curling team to an Olympic silver medal in 2018, and he is father to Canadian Olympic curler Brett Gallant.

Peter Gallant’s former teammate, Robert Campbell, was also inducted into the hall of fame at the same Nov. 25 event. The teammates went to the Brier seven times together.

The two worked well on the ice together, with Gallant offering guidance said Campbell.

“I was probably heading down that road of being too fiery at times. But having a third like Peter Gallant slowed me down somewhat and gave me some wisdom,” Campbell said.

Curlers and former teammates Peter Gallant, left, and Robert Campbell catch up with each other after their induction ceremony into the P.E.I. Sports Hall of Fame in Charlottetown Nov. 25. Grant Harrison • Special to The Guardian – Contributed

The 1995 Halifax Brier sticks out the most to Campbell.

“We started off 0-4. We weren’t Nova Scotians, obviously, but we had kind of a hometown crowd by the end of it. We reeled off seven straight wins to make the tiebreaker.”

Unlike Gallant, Campbell said he won’t be coaching an Olympic team anytime soon.

“Coaching – it’s always interested me. But I don’t know if I have the patience Peter does.”

Click the link for the full story on The P.E.I. Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony: Former teammates share induction into P.E.I. Sports Hall of Fame | SaltWire

Grant Harrison is a student in the journalism program at Holland College.

P.E.I. Curling Hall of Fame and Museum inductees reflect on distinguished careers (SaltWire)

(by Jason Simmonds)

SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. — When the P.E.I. Curling Hall of Fame and Museum’s Class of 2022 reflect on their careers, camaraderie, teamwork, and friendship immediately come to mind.

Mel Bernard (curler) of Summerside, Roger Gavin (builder) of Alberton, Earle Proude (curler) of Miscouche and Blair Weeks (builder) of Charlottetown were inducted during a recent ceremony at the Silver Fox Entertainment Complex in Summerside.

“Games are often won and lost on a one-inch or two-inch margin or a one-shot miss or make,” said Bernard. “The team play was very important, getting along together, working together and spending time together… The people you do that with, you get a close bond with.”

The 2022 inductees into the P.E.I. Curling Hall of Fame and Museum are, from left: Mel Bernard (curler), Roger Gavin (builder), Earle Proude (curler) and Blair Weeks (builder). The induction ceremony took place at the Silver Fox Entertainment Complex recently. Contributed

The 2022 inductees into the P.E.I. Curling Hall of Fame and Museum are, from left: Mel Bernard (curler), Roger Gavin (builder), Earle Proude (curler) and Blair Weeks (builder). The induction ceremony took place at the Silver Fox Entertainment Complex recently. – Contributed

The inductees

Some facts about the 2022 P.E.I. Curling Hall of Fame and Museum inductees:

  • Earle Proude and Mel Bernard were named second-team all-stars at the 2009 Canadian senior curling championships in Summerside.
  • Proude is a former member of the curling executive at the Silver Fox and is currently a member of the ice committee at the Summerside facility.
  • Bernard has volunteered as a scorekeeper and statistician at several provincial and national curling events.
  • Roger Gavin, who has received several coaching awards at the provincial competitions, has been the delegate for the Alberton-based Western Community Curling Club’s delegate to Curl P.E.I. for 20 years.
  • Blair Weeks made a motion at the P.E.I. Curling Association annual meeting in 1986 to change the Final 8 in the Tankard provincial men’s championship to a triple-knockout format. The motion passed.

Click the link to read the full story at SaltWire.com:  https://www.saltwire.com/prince-edward-island/news/pei-curling-hall-of-fame-and-museum-inductees-reflect-on-distinguished-careers-100799056/

Family ties make for a special event at the 2022 Everest Curling Club Ch’ship (Curling Canada)

The 2022 Everest Canadian Curling Club Championships got underway Monday at the Ice Palace in the West Edmonton Mall and for several teams at this year’s event, it’s a special family affair. 

Rod Feltham of Newfoundland and Labrador is skipping his team from the Gander Curling Club which includes his son Aaron as the team’s alternate. 

Alternate Aaron Feltham watches as his father Rod delivers a stone on the opening day of the 2022 Everest Canadian Curling Club Championship (Photo, Curling Canada/Darren McEwen)

“Not many people get to do this with your kids. I coached him in hockey and we’re a pretty close pair so to come together to play on the same team at a national curling championships … I’ll never forget this,” an emotional Rod Feltham said after picking up a 6-5 win over British Columbia in the team’s first game.

Aaron, who competed for Newfoundland and Labrador at the 2019 Canadian U18 Championship, is using his previous national experience to help the team that includes his father, vice-skip Scott Davidge, second Kris MacLeod and lead Keith Clarke at this year’s event.

“I also curl in St. John’s where the ice has more curl than in Gander and is similar to this arena ice here and you have to be positive with your release so I just keep reiterating to the team to be positive on their releases,” the 19-year-old said shortly after he was called upon for strategy advice during an eighth end timeout. 

For many curlers at the Everest Curling Club Championships the event is an exciting leap onto a big stage, so having a loved one on the team can be an added comfort.

“My eyes are wide open here,” Rod admitted, “Aaron has a great junior coach in Jeff Thomas and so he’s passed along a lot of valuable insight. I’m just so proud that he’s a good teacher and listener.”

Feltham’s team put early pressure on B.C. with three points in the first end and added a steal in the second end. British Columbia climbed back to get within one point by the fourth end break, before adding another steal in the fifth end. The eighth and final end included a pile of granite and Ron Schmidt of the Comox Valley Curling Club in Courtenay was just shy of connecting on a double run-back on his final shot. Feltham didn’t need to throw his last rock to secure the 6-5 win.

Newfoundland and Labrador are just one of several teams at this year’s event with family ties. Siblings Veronica and Sabrina Smith are back wearing the Prince Edward Island colours at this year’s Canadian Curling Club Championship and they’re thrilled to be back on a big stage after appearances at Canadian Junior Championships almost a decade ago.

Veronica Smith (skip) throws as sister Sabrina (second) sweeps her rock in PEI’s opening game at the 2022 Everest Canadian Curling Club Championships (Photo, Curling Canada/Darren McEwen)

“I think it’s so special,” Sabrina said after their opening game at the Ice Palace. “It’s been a while since we’ve been at a Canadian championship but to win our province together was really special.”

Prince Edward Island’s women’s team dropped their opening game on a last rock hit that rolled inches too far, giving New Brunswick’s Shaelyn Park and her team from Curl Moncton a 7-6 victory. 

Another team with family bonds on the ice at this year’s Everest Canadian Curling Club Championship is the Northwest Territories women’s rink skipped by Betti Delorey. The team includes Delorey’s daughter Halli-Rai Delorey at the vice-skip position, sister-in-law Katrina Delorey at second, along with D’arcy Delorey, Betti’s husband, as coach. Amanda Roach is the lead for the team from the Hay River Curling Club.

“To be here with my daughter, my husband and my sister-in-law is pretty cool. She’s in university so to have this chance to play with her I don’t know that I’ll get more of these opportunities and I’m just trying to soak in all the time and love every second of it,” Delorey said after an opening game 7-2 loss to Newfoundland and Labrador.

Delorey echoed Feltham’s thoughts on playing in such a unique venue saying it took a couple ends for her to settle in. “Wow, there’s a lot going on but I reminded myself to just shut it out and it was a small learning curve.”

The spectacular Ice Palace has been converted into five sheets of pebbled ice for the week-long event. Monday’s opening day action featured hundreds of shoppers stopping to take in the action inside Canada’s largest shopping mall. 

Betti Delorey (skip) calls a shot for her team from the Northwest Territories at the 2022 Everest Canadian Curling Club Championship (Photo, Curling Canada/Darren McEwen)

Elsewhere in women’s play on Monday evening, Manitoba’s Lisa Birchard’s rink needed an extra-end to get past Quebec 6-5 and Saskatchewan downed Northern Ontario 12-2. 

In the men’s division it was Northern Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta and Quebec who were winners in their opening games in Edmonton. 

Fourteen men’s teams and 12 women’s teams (Nunavut and Yukon did not send a women’s team) are competing in the annual event. The men’s field is divided into two pools of seven teams and the women’s has two pools of six. After the round robin, the top three teams in each pool will make a modified double-knockout playoffs, which begin Friday, Nov. 25, and conclude with the gold- and bronze-medal games on Saturday, Nov. 26.

On the final day between the semifinals and medal games, a variety of curling disciplines will be on display to mall-goers, including stick curling and wheelchair curling. Learn to curl opportunities will also be available for those passing by through opportunities with Curling Alberta. 

Games from the 2022 Everest Canadian Curling Club Championships are live-streamed on Curling Canada’s YouTube channel and features commentary from world men’s champion Randy Ferbey, Olympic gold-medallist and world women’s champion Jennifer Jones and Olympic silver-medallist Cheryl Bernard and world men’s champion Brent Laing. The event is also streamed on the TSN app.  For the up-to-date broadcast schedule, click here.

Scores and standings from the event are available at by clicking here

For draw times, team lineups and other event info, click here

Click here to read this story at Curling Canada

Canada and PEI support investments to Montague Curling Club ahead of the 2023 Canada Winter Games (CNW/Infrastructure Canada)

THREE RIVERS, PE, Nov. 19, 2022 /CNW/ – Today, the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence; the Honourable Cory Deagle, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, and Thomas Annear, President of the Montague Curling Club, announced over $264,000 in joint funding for upgrades to the Montague Curling Club in Three Rivers.

The funding announced today will enhance the building’s accessibility features for all users ahead of the 2023 Canada Winter Games. Improvements include the addition of a ramp at the entrance, upgrades to the back exit as well as the addition of a new elevator. Funding will also support upgrades to the facility’s ice-making equipment to ensure athletes have access to safer and smoother ice conditions.

Once completed, the facility will offer a welcoming venue for athletes and visitors and encourage residents to stay active for generations to come.

By investing in infrastructure, the Government of Canada is growing our country’s economy, increasing the resiliency of our communities, and improving the lives of Canadians.

Quotes

“Recreation and sports are essential for building strong and connected communities. These improvements to the Montague Curling Club will help us to welcome athletes and visitors into an updated and inclusive facility for the 2023 Canada Winter Games and provide residents with a great space to connect and stay active for many years beyond the Games.”

The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, on behalf of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities

“This investment will support our local curling community and expand Three River’s potential to host large-scale events like the 2023 Canada Winter Games. The Province of Prince Edward Island is pleased to be able to support community infrastructure projects, like the Montague Curling Club, as we continue to strengthen our rural communities.”

The Honourable Cory Deagle, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure

“We are really pleased to see these necessary upgrades to our facility. Having the proper equipment to offer a welcoming, competitive atmosphere will be an asset to our curling club and the area. We look forward to hosting the mixed doubles event at the 2023 Canada Winter Games and are looking ahead to future opportunities.”

Thomas Annear, President of the Montague Curling Club

Quick facts

  • The Government of Canada is investing more than $106,000 in this project. The Government of Prince Edward Island is contributing more than $88,000 and the Montague Regional Athletic Complex Association is investing over $70,000.
  • The Government of Canada’s funding comes from the Community, Culture and Recreation Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.
  • Under the Investing in Canada Plan, the federal government is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada’s rural and northern communities.
  • The Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program is delivering over $33 billion for public infrastructure across Canada. Under this program, provinces and territories submit projects to Infrastructure Canada for funding approval. To date, the program has approved more than $23 billion for over 5,200 projects in communities across the country.
  • Over the past six years, Infrastructure Canada has invested more than $17.7 million in 29 recreation projects across Prince Edward Island under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.
  • To date more than $1.2 billion in federal funding has been approved through the program for community, culture and recreation infrastructure projects across the country.
  • The funding announced today builds on the Government of Canada’s work through the Atlantic Growth Strategy to create well-paying middle class jobs, strengthen local economies, and build inclusive communities.

 

 

PEI Curling Hall of Fame and Museum inducts four in Summerside

Following a two-year hiatus, the PEI Curling Hall of Fame and Museum held its 14th Induction Ceremony on Monday evening Nov. 14 at Summerside’s Silver Fox Entertainment Complex, with four inductees,  two in the “Curler” and two in the “Builder” category,  honoured for their achievements in and contributions to the sport of curling: Mel Bernard (Curler), Roger Gavin (Builder), Earle Proude (Curler), and Blair Weeks (Builder).

Inductees (L-R): Mel Bernard, Roger Gavin, Earle Proude, Blair Weeks
 
Master of Ceremonies Paul H. Schurman invited everyone to stand as the inductees, led by PEI Curling Hall of Fame and Museum chair Jerry Muzika, entered the hall.
Al Ledgerwood, at Jerry’s request, spoke on behalf of the Hall of Fame, welcoming everyone to the event.
Al Ledgerwood
Summerside Mayor Basil Stewart (Councillor Barb Ramsay was also in attendance) offered greetings on behalf of the City, mentioning the importance of the sport of curling to Summerside, and recalling fondly his trip to Ogden Utah when the Suzanne Gaudet (now Birt) rink, curling out of Summerside, won the World Junior Curling Championship.
 
Jane DiCarlo
Tim Hawkin

Curl PEI President Jane DiCarlo (Executive Director Amy Duncan was also at the event) spoke on behalf of PEI’s curling governing association, while Summerside Curling Club President Tim Hawkin, doing double duty at an adjacent on–ice event for new curlers, welcomed everyone to the Club, which will be hosting Canada Games curling this winter. He mentioned that he had played against all the night’s inductees and was honoured to be in their presence.
 
It was time for the inductions, with each curler receiving a certificate and pin, with a framed portrait drawn by Summerside’s Wayne Wright, which will be displayed at the Hall of Fame’s Museum, currently located at the Maple Leaf Curling Club in O’Leary, being unveiled.
 
Mel Bernard
 
First up was Summerside’s Mel Bernard, a teacher who spoke eloquently about his long curling history, going back to 1967, and his first plane trip, to the national Schoolboy Championships in Flin Flon Manitoba, where curling was “as big as hockey”. He talked about his first trip to the Brier, and setting what “might have been a record” for contraventions of the new “hog line rule”, eventually moving up to Seniors, winning three Senior titles and advancing to the nationals, two of which were held right in Summerside. He won seven PEI Senior and Mixed Legion Curling Championships, including and a national title, plus three PEI Masters titles. He talked about the friendliness of curlers, and their willingness to impart their knowledge, and how great both the Legion and Masters championships are for keeping older curlers in the game and inspiring younger curlers.
 
Roger Gavin
West Prince curler Roger Gavin was the next inductee to the podium. He spoke briefly, thanking friends and fellow curling volunteers for their support.
 
Earle Proude

Retired Kensington teacher Earle Proude started his words of thanks by saying that the entry to the Hall of Fame was an “unbelievable honour for someone who never threw a curling rock before the age of 50”, noting that it’s never too late to start. He said he was taken aback when fellow teacher Mel Bernard asked him, just new to the sport, to join his planned competitive curling team in the lead position. Mel obviously recognized his potential, as Earle went on to win an incredible 23 PEI curling championships under three skips in 17 years.
 
Blair Weeks
The final inductee was Blair Weeks, who, mentioned the fact that there is currently no curling in the capital city, and said he is glad to be in the curling club where he and his brothers “won the Tankard”. He talked about the importance of the many sponsored cashspiels he organized in Charlottetown, saying that they helped grow the sport at the time. Looking to the future, he said that Charlottetown is bidding for another national Scotties event, and that the Town of Stratford is working with a committee to help bring curling back to the capital region, noting, though, that it may take a few years.
 
The induction ceremony closed with a reception catered by the Silver Fox Entertainment Complex.
 
 

Here are the biographies of each of the inductees:

Mel Bernard (Curler)

Mel began curling in 1967 in Summerside. That year, playing with skip Kendall Forbes, third Paul Gunn, second Paul Atkinson, and with Mel at lead, they won the PEI Junior Men’s Curling Championship, then known as the Provincial School Boy title.  Along with coach Ken Gunn, they played in the national championship in Flin Flon, Manitoba.

Fourteen years later, in 1981, Mel skipped his team of third Duke Costain, second Dale Cannon, and lead Vance Enman to the 4 Year and Under PEI Championship.

Mel, as skip, won the 8 Year and Under PEI Championship in 1984. Playing with him were John MacWilliams at third, Dale Cannon at second, and lead was Gerard McNeill. They went on to be runner-up team in the Maritime 8 Year and Under Championship.

Mel played third stone on the Grant Somers-skipped team which won the Prince Edward Island Tankard Men’s Curling Championship in 1986. Second on the team was John MacWilliams, and lead was Don Bourque. The team earned a trip to the Labatts Canadian Men’s Championship in Kitchener-Waterloo.

Mel played on three Prince Edward Island Senior Men’s Curling Championship teams. His first was in 2006, playing with skip Ted MacFadyen, Mel was at third, second was Sandy Foy, and lead was Mike Coady.

Mel skipped the other two provincial Senior Men’s winning teams in 2007 and 2009 with team members Blair Jay playing third, Doug Simmons at second, Earle Proude at lead and Al Ledgerwood as coach. Playing in the national championship at home in Summerside in 2009, they won the bronze medal.  Mel and Earle were named to the second all-star team at this event.

Mel skipped teams to three Prince Edward Island Masters Curling Championships. His first was in 2011, with Ted MacFadyen at third, second Lou Nowlan, and lead Earle Proude. The same team won it again in 2012. In 2015, Mel won again with Lou Nowlan at third, Earle Proude at second, and lead was Alan Montgomery.

Mel won the Prince Edward Island Canadian Legion Curling Championship seven times, starting in 1986 and ending in 2000. He played third for Grant Somers in 1986, then third for Steve Costain in 1987, then third again for Grant Somers in 1991, 1992, 1996, 1999, and 2000.

In the PEI Senior Legion Curling Championship, Mel skipped his own teams from 2003 to 2011. During these years, Mel had numerous players on these teams, including Lou Nowlan, Blair Jay, Ted MacFadyen, Doug Currie, Doug Simmons, Wayne Gardiner, and Earle Proude. He won the event in 2013 and 2015.

In 2004, with Mel skipping, Lou Nowlan playing third, Doug Currie at second and Wayne Gardiner in the lead position, they won the Dominion Command Senior Legion Championship in Calgary, Alberta.

Mel won the PEI Senior Mixed Legion Curling Championship in 2008 and 2009. In 2008, Mel skipped, third was Jeanne Duffenais,  second was Earle Proude, and lead was Helen MacDonald. The next year, the team was the same except at lead position, where Paula Baglole replaced Helen McDonald.

Mel was awarded the PEI Senior Male Athlete of the year honours in 2007. He received a Certificate of Achievement by Amalgamated Dairies LTD and Sport PEI at the Curl PEI annual awards. Mel received the same award in 2009.

Mel has volunteered at a number of provincial and national curling events as a scorekeeper and as a statistician.

Roger Gavin (Builder)

Roger began to curl in 1979 at the Western Community Curling Club in Alberton and started volunteering for the club almost immediately.

Roger started his 14-year coaching career in 2007, receiving his level 1 coaching certification, followed by his level 2 in 2008. His certificates show that he is a Club Coach Youth-Trained, Club Coach-Trained, Competition Coach-Certified, and Competition Development Coach-Trained.   

In 2007, he coached the Under 18 junior team skipped by Spencer Pitre. They went on to curl in the Under 18 Atlantic Championship.

In 2015, Roger coached the Under 18 junior team captained by Leslie Noye. They went on to curl in the Atlantic Championship. In 2017, he again coached the Leslie Noye junior team, this time in the Under 21 event.

Roger coached the Under 18 junior team skipped by Donald Dewolfe in 2017. The team curled that year at the Canadian Under 18 Championship held in Moncton.

Roger received the Asham Coaching Award in 2009 at the PEI Provincial Juniors Championship. This award is voted on by the coaches at the event. Coaches choose an opposing coach who best exemplifies the attributes of coaching during the event. He received this award again in 2017.

Roger received the Coaching Fair Play Award in 2013 at the PEI Under 16 Championship. He received the Coaching Award in 2014, at the PEI Under 18 Championship. In 2017, Roger received the Coaching Award again at the Under 18 Championship.

Roger received his level 1 certification in officiating in October 2002, and his level 2 in March 2009. Roger has participated as an official at provincial championship events held at the Western Community Curling Club since 2002. He also officiated at the national Dominion Curling Club Championship held in Charlottetown and Cornwall in 2010.  

Roger has performed drawmaster duties for all provincial events held at the Western Community Curling Club, and as the club’s Games chair, he scheduled all bonspiels for the club as well as all nightly draws for the club for more than 20 years. He was on the committee of the Canadian Legion Curling Championship held at the Western Community Curling Club in 2011 and made up the draw for this event.

He was a Board of Directors member of the curling club from 1992 to 1994, and went on the Board again in 1998, and has been on the Board continually since then. As well as games chair during this time, Roger was on the bar committee from 2007 to 2020, ice committee from 1994 to 2006, and chaired the ice committee from 2007 to 2020. Roger was vice-president of the club in 2005, president in 2006, and past president in 2007.

Roger received the ADL Curl PEI Volunteer Administrator of the year Award in 2013. As well as volunteering with ice maintenance, draws, and bar duties, he also helps with the junior program, new curler program, coaching, banquets, and publicity, to name a few.

Roger was on the committee of Stick Curling PEI, which hosted the Canadian Stick Curling Championship at the Cornwall Curling Club in 2013, and in 2019. His main responsibility was as drawmaster. In 2019, he developed and used a pool format to determine which teams tied in a pool would advance to the playoffs. This tie-breaking formula saw ties broken by their cumulative total with each team member throwing two draw shots to the button. Some aspects of his work have been adopted by the Canadian Stick Curling Association.

Roger has a level 1 in Ice Technicians Certification. He has helped install the ice and helped out with ice maintenance for the past 25 years.

 Roger has been the Western Community Club’s delegate to Curl PEI for 20 years. He attends their meetings and organizes the duties of the club when holding provincial events including preparing ice, looking after the draw, and arranging for timers and kitchen, and bar staff.

He assisted in the junior program from 2005 to 2015, and also involved students of Westisle High School from 2007 to 2020, scheduling their ice times and on-ice instruction.

He was also named “Volunteer of the Year” for the town of Alberton in 2017.

Earle Proude (Curler)

Earle started to curl in 2000 in a recreational league in Summerside.

In 2005, he joined Mel Bernard’s team, and in 2006, he won his first PEI curling championship – the PEI Senior Legion Championship, with Mel skipping, Blair Jay playing third, Doug Simmons at second, and Earle in the lead position.

The same team won again in 2007, 2008, and 2010.

In 2011, they won again but with a different third, Ted MacFadyen.

In 2013 and 2015 Lou Nowlan played third, and Blair Jay played in the second position.        

In 2007, Earle won the PEI Senior Men’s Curling Championship, playing lead with skip Mel, third Blair, and Doug at second stone. They went on to curl at the Canadian Senior Men’s Curling Championship in Trois Rivieres, Quebec. They lost 6-5 to Rick Folk, and in an extra end to Pat Ryan’s team.  The team finished with a 5-6 win-loss record.

In 2009, they won the PEI Senior Men’s Curling Championship with the same team. At the Canadian Senior Men’s Curling Championship in Summerside, they won the bronze metal. They beat New Brunswick’s Russ Howard, and Saskatchewan’s Eugene Hritzuk in a tiebreaker. Mel and Earle were named to the second all-star team.

In 2014, Earle again won the PEI Senior Men’s Curling Championship, with a different team, and went on to compete in the Canadian Senior Men’s Curling Championship in Yellowknife. Ted MacFadyen was skipping, third was Lou Nowlan, Pat Aylward was at second, and Earle played lead.

In 2008, Earle’s team won the PEI Senior Mixed Curling Championship. Mel Bernard skipped, Jeanne Duffenais played third, Earle was at second, and Helen MacDonald was in the lead position. In 2009 they won again, but with Paula Baglole playing lead instead of Helen MacDonald.

Earle’s teams won the PEI Masters Curling Championship every year from 2011 to 2020, for a total of ten championships, the first in 2011, with skip Mel Bernard, third Ted MacFadyen, second Lou Nowlan, and Earle at lead. They won again in 2012 with the same team.

In 2013, Lou Nowlan moved up to third, and Blair Jay played second stone. The 2014 team had Ted MacFadyen at skip, Lou Nowlan at third, Earle at second, and Alan Montgomery at lead. In 2015, the skip changed with Mel Bernard coming back. The skips changed again in 2016, with Ted MacFadyen coming back again. The same team won in 2017. In 2018, Lou skipped, Ted MacFadyen was at third, Earle at second, and Alan Montgomery played lead. In 2019, Lou Nowlan skipped, Dave MacFadyen was at third, Earle at second, and Alan Montgomery at lead. In 2020, they won again with the same team.

In 2021, Bill Hope’s team broke their reign, however, in 2022, Lou, Dave, Earle and Alan returned as the PEI Masters Champions.

Earle volunteered to do scoring statistics for Canadian Curling Championships held in Summerside, including the Juniors in 2002, and the Seniors in 2006 and 2013, along with the Grand Slam of Curling events in 2012 and 2014, plus the Road to the Roar Olympic Pre-Trials in 2017.

Earle was on the curling executive of the Silver Fox from 2015 until 2019. He has helped install the ice at the Fox for the past ten years. As well, he has served on the ice committee from 2019 to the present.

Blair Weeks (Builder)

Blair won two Junior Men’s Curling Championships. The first was in 1981 when he played third for his brother Doug. Doug skipped the team, had Billy Dillon at second, and Mark O’Rourke at lead.

Blair’s next junior championship win was in 1983. Wade MacRae skipped the team, Blair played third, second was Paul Dillon, and lead was Mike Dillon. The team came in third place at the Canadian Junior Curling Championship.

Blair won the PEI Men’s Curling Championship in 1989, with his brother Doug skipping the team. Blair played third, Roy Rodd played second, and David Weeks, another brother, played lead.

In 1996, Blair won the PEI Mixed Curling Championship. At third was Janice MacCallum, brother Doug was at second, and Shelley Muzika was lead.

In 2015, Blair won the PEI Senior Men’s Curling Championship. Rod MacDonald skipped the team, Kevin Champion was at third, second was Blair, and lead was played by Mark Victor.

Blair was runner-up in the 1982 Juniors, the 1983 Canada Winter Games playdown, the 1985 Mixed, 1986 Mixed, the 1995 Mixed, the 1986 Men’s, and the 2016 and 2019 Seniors.

He played in numerous cash bonspiels and won several of them. He won the Souris Cash Spiel in 1980, the Choice Tobacco Cash Spiel on four occasions, the Charlottetown City Championship in 1988 and in 1996, as well as the Summerside Cash Spiel in 1997.

 His teams were the Charlottetown Super League winners in 1987, 1988, 1993, and 1996.

Blair has a long history of volunteering for the sport.

Blair has his level 1 and level 2 certificates in Coaching. Level 1 was obtained in 1987, and level 2 in 2011. The certificates show that he is Club Coach Youth-Trained, Club Coach-Trained, and Curling Competition-Certified.

He coached numerous teams in his curling career. He started with coaching Junior teams, the Miles MacLure rink in 1984, Chris Hickey foursome in 1990, Jamie MacCarthy squad in 1991, Mark Kinney junior team in 1995 when they were provincial champions, and Eddie Mackenzie’s men’s team when they were provincial men’s champions.

Blair received his Level 1 Curling Official’s certification in 1984, and Level 2 in 1987. He was an official and worked with the ice crew at the 1984 Canadian Women’s Curling Championship held in Charlottetown, and an official at the 1987 Canadian Mixed Championship held in Summerside.

Blair was the Ice Chair at the TSN Skins Game in 1991, organizing the ice makers course with the well-known ice maker, Shorty Jenkins, and working with the ice crew to ready the ice for the weekend competition.

During the years 1983 to 1992 he was an instructor at the Charlottetown Curling Club beginners clinics. He delivered several strategy courses and rules clinics on behalf of Curl PEI for the development of juniors. He was the head official for the PEI Curling Association in 1987.

In 1984, Blair co-chaired the Kirkwood Cash Maritime Men’s cash spiel. Blair, brother Doug and Mark O’Rourke also hosted the spiel in 1985 and 1986.

 Blair chaired and promoted the Ultramar Cash Spiel from 1988 through to 1993. He promoted this same spiel during the years 1994 to 1997.

 In 1986, Blair promoted a move to change the Final Eights in the Tankard to a triple-knockout. At the PEI Curling Association annual meeting, he made the motion to implement the change and it was passed.

In 1990, he was the PEI Curling Association’s junior representative for junior men. Blair was responsible organizing the provincial tournament and responsible for the behavior of the men at the Canadian Junior Curling Championship. Blair also organized the first Maritime Junior Curling tournament for provincial junior champions in the fall of 1989.

Blair wrote many articles on curling, sometimes as co-writer, and was the Curling Feature Writer for the Guardian for many years. From 1988 to 1991, he had a weekly column in the Guardian, called 26 Weeks of Curling. He was a co-writer of a column in the Scotties Heart Chart during the Canadian Women’s Curling Championship held in Charlottetown in 2011.          

Blair wrote a daily story on women’s curling during the 1991 Canada Winter Games held on the Island. He was a correspondent for the Guardian on several Canadian Curling Championships, including the Scott in Ottawa in 1990, the Brier in Hamilton in 1991, and the Brier in St. John‘s in 2017.

He was a feature writer for Canadian Curling News, and Atlantic Curling Reports. He also enjoyed serving as a commentator for Cable 10 on Eastlink curling broadcasts.

Blair was a member of the 1991 Charlottetown Curling Club Brier Bid Committee and is currently a member of the Bid Committee for the 2025 Scotties.

He served as the Chair of the Charlottetown Curling Club Future Options Committee in 2021-22. In November 2021, he was elected as President of the Charlottetown Curling Club and is working with a group of directors to bring curling back to the Charlottetown Curling Club.

Finally, Blair received the Curl Canada National Scholarship Award in 1986 and in 1987. He was awarded a Volunteer Award from the Charlottetown Curling Club for long service in 1995. In 2019, Blair was awarded the long-time sport volunteer award from Sport PEI for his volunteer work in the sport of curling.

PEI Curling Hall of Fame and Museum executive (missing: Al Ledgerwood)

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Photo Gallery from Nov. 14, 2022 PEI Curling Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

Here are photos from the Nov. 14, 2022 PEI Curling Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at the Silver Fox Entertainment Complex in Summerside, with inductees Mel Bernard, Roger Gavin, Earle Proude, and Blair Weeks. Click on a photo to enlarge; use arrow keys or swipe on a touch screen to go ahead and back.

 

 

Reminder: PEI Curling Hall of Fame to induct four members at 14th induction ceremony on Monday Nov. 14

Following a two-year hiatus, the Prince Edward Island Curling Hall of Fame and Museum is set to host its fourteenth annual induction ceremony on Monday November 14th 2022 at the Silver Fox Entertainment Curling Complex in Summerside.

Four inductees, two in the “Curler” and two in the “Builder” category, are being honoured for their achievements in and contributions to the sport of curling: Mel Bernard (Curler), Roger Gavin (Builder), Earle Proude (Curler), and Blair Weeks (Builder),

 “Recognizing the accomplishments of curlers and builders who have dedicated their time and energy to the sport of curling is an important component of our curling history”, says Jerry Muzika, Chairman of the PEI Curling Hall of Fame and Museum.  He invites everyone to come out and honour the inductees.

The main objectives of the Curling Hall of Fame and Museum are to recognize, honour and pay tribute to individuals or teams on the basis of playing ability, as an amateur or a professional (“Curler” category), and to individuals who have given distinguished service and have made major contributions to the development of curling on Prince Edward Island (“Builder” category).

The event, with host Paul H. Schurman, gets underway at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $10.00 per person and will be available at the door.

This year’s ceremony is sponsored by Peter and Karen MacDonald, along with Peake & McInnis Ltd. Insurance Brokers, Beaton’s Wholesale Dry Goods Ltd., Phillips Feed Service, the City of Summerside, and Consolidated Credit Union Ltd., Summerside.

Here are the biographies of each of the inductees:

Mel Bernard (Curler)

Mel began curling in 1967 in Summerside. That year, playing with skip Kendall Forbes, third Paul Gunn, second Paul Atkinson, and with Mel at lead, they won the PEI Junior Men’s Curling Championship, then known as the Provincial School Boy title.  Along with coach Ken Gunn, they played in the national championship in Flin Flon, Manitoba.

Fourteen years later, in 1981, Mel skipped his team of third Duke Costain, second Dale Cannon, and lead Vance Enman to the 4 Year and Under PEI Championship.

Mel, as skip, won the 8 Year and Under PEI Championship in 1984. Playing with him were John MacWilliams at third, Dale Cannon at second, and lead was Gerard McNeill. They went on to be runner-up team in the Maritime 8 Year and Under Championship.

Mel played third stone on the Grant Somers-skipped team which won the Prince Edward Island Tankard Men’s Curling Championship in 1986. Second on the team was John MacWilliams, and lead was Don Bourque. The team earned a trip to the Labatts Canadian Men’s Championship in Kitchener-Waterloo.

Mel played on three Prince Edward Island Senior Men’s Curling Championship teams. His first was in 2006, playing with skip Ted MacFadyen, Mel was at third, second was Sandy Foy, and lead was Mike Coady.

Mel skipped the other two provincial Senior Men’s winning teams in 2007 and 2009 with team members Blair Jay playing third, Doug Simmons at second, Earle Proude at lead and Al Ledgerwood as coach. Playing in the national championship at home in Summerside in 2009, they won the bronze medal.  Mel and Earle were named to the second all-star team at this event.

Mel skipped teams to three Prince Edward Island Masters Curling Championships. His first was in 2011, with Ted MacFadyen at third, second Lou Nowlan, and lead Earle Proude. The same team won it again in 2012. In 2015, Mel won again with Lou Nowlan at third, Earle Proude at second, and lead was Alan Montgomery.

Mel won the Prince Edward Island Canadian Legion Curling Championship seven times, starting in 1986 and ending in 2000. He played third for Grant Somers in 1986, then third for Steve Costain in 1987, then third again for Grant Somers in 1991, 1992, 1996, 1999, and 2000.

In the PEI Senior Legion Curling Championship, Mel skipped his own teams from 2003 to 2011. During these years, Mel had numerous players on these teams, including Lou Nowlan, Blair Jay, Ted MacFadyen, Doug Currie, Doug Simmons, Wayne Gardiner, and Earle Proude. He won the event in 2013 and 2015.

In 2004, with Mel skipping, Lou Nowlan playing third, Doug Currie at second and Wayne Gardiner in the lead position, they won the Dominion Command Senior Legion Championship in Calgary, Alberta.

Mel won the PEI Senior Mixed Legion Curling Championship in 2008 and 2009. In 2008, Mel skipped, third was Jeanne Duffenais,  second was Earle Proude, and lead was Helen MacDonald. The next year, the team was the same except at lead position, where Paula Baglole replaced Helen McDonald.

Mel was awarded the PEI Senior Male Athlete of the year honours in 2007. He received a Certificate of Achievement by Amalgamated Dairies LTD and Sport PEI at the Curl PEI annual awards. Mel received the same award in 2009.

Mel has volunteered at a number of provincial and national curling events as a scorekeeper and as a statistician.

Roger Gavin (Builder)

Roger began to curl in 1979 at the Western Community Curling Club in Alberton and started volunteering for the club almost immediately.

Roger started his 14-year coaching career in 2007, receiving his level 1 coaching certification, followed by his level 2 in 2008. His certificates show that he is a Club Coach Youth-Trained, Club Coach-Trained, Competition Coach-Certified, and Competition Development Coach-Trained.   

In 2007, he coached the Under 18 junior team skipped by Spencer Pitre. They went on to curl in the Under 18 Atlantic Championship.

In 2015, Roger coached the Under 18 junior team captained by Leslie Noye. They went on to curl in the Atlantic Championship. In 2017, he again coached the Leslie Noye junior team, this time in the Under 21 event.

Roger coached the Under 18 junior team skipped by Donald Dewolfe in 2017. The team curled that year at the Canadian Under 18 Championship held in Moncton.

Roger received the Asham Coaching Award in 2009 at the PEI Provincial Juniors Championship. This award is voted on by the coaches at the event. Coaches choose an opposing coach who best exemplifies the attributes of coaching during the event. He received this award again in 2017.

Roger received the Coaching Fair Play Award in 2013 at the PEI Under 16 Championship. He received the Coaching Award in 2014, at the PEI Under 18 Championship. In 2017, Roger received the Coaching Award again at the Under 18 Championship.

Roger received his level 1 certification in officiating in October 2002, and his level 2 in March 2009. Roger has participated as an official at provincial championship events held at the Western Community Curling Club since 2002. He also officiated at the national Dominion Curling Club Championship held in Charlottetown and Cornwall in 2010.  

Roger has performed drawmaster duties for all provincial events held at the Western Community Curling Club, and as the club’s Games chair, he scheduled all bonspiels for the club as well as all nightly draws for the club for more than 20 years. He was on the committee of the Canadian Legion Curling Championship held at the Western Community Curling Club in 2011 and made up the draw for this event.

He was a Board of Directors member of the curling club from 1992 to 1994, and went on the Board again in 1998, and has been on the Board continually since then. As well as games chair during this time, Roger was on the bar committee from 2007 to 2020, ice committee from 1994 to 2006, and chaired the ice committee from 2007 to 2020. Roger was vice-president of the club in 2005, president in 2006, and past president in 2007.

Roger received the ADL Curl PEI Volunteer Administrator of the year Award in 2013. As well as volunteering with ice maintenance, draws, and bar duties, he also helps with the junior program, new curler program, coaching, banquets, and publicity, to name a few.

Roger was on the committee of Stick Curling PEI, which hosted the Canadian Stick Curling Championship at the Cornwall Curling Club in 2013, and in 2019. His main responsibility was as drawmaster. In 2019, he developed and used a pool format to determine which teams tied in a pool would advance to the playoffs. This tie-breaking formula saw ties broken by their cumulative total with each team member throwing two draw shots to the button. Some aspects of his work have been adopted by the Canadian Stick Curling Association.

Roger has a level 1 in Ice Technicians Certification. He has helped install the ice and helped out with ice maintenance for the past 25 years.

 Roger has been the Western Community Club’s delegate to Curl PEI for 20 years. He attends their meetings and organizes the duties of the club when holding provincial events including preparing ice, looking after the draw, and arranging for timers and kitchen, and bar staff.

He assisted in the junior program from 2005 to 2015, and also involved students of Westisle High School from 2007 to 2020, scheduling their ice times and on-ice instruction.

He was also named “Volunteer of the Year” for the town of Alberton in 2017.

Earle Proude (Curler)

Earle started to curl in 2000 in a recreational league in Summerside.

In 2005, he joined Mel Bernard’s team, and in 2006, he won his first PEI curling championship – the PEI Senior Legion Championship, with Mel skipping, Blair Jay playing third, Doug Simmons at second, and Earle in the lead position.

The same team won again in 2007, 2008, and 2010.

In 2011, they won again but with a different third, Ted MacFadyen.

In 2013 and 2015 Lou Nowlan played third, and Blair Jay played in the second position.        

In 2007, Earle won the PEI Senior Men’s Curling Championship, playing lead with skip Mel, third Blair, and Doug at second stone. They went on to curl at the Canadian Senior Men’s Curling Championship in Trois Rivieres, Quebec. They lost 6-5 to Rick Folk, and in an extra end to Pat Ryan’s team.  The team finished with a 5-6 win-loss record.

In 2009, they won the PEI Senior Men’s Curling Championship with the same team. At the Canadian Senior Men’s Curling Championship in Summerside, they won the bronze metal. They beat New Brunswick’s Russ Howard, and Saskatchewan’s Eugene Hritzuk in a tiebreaker. Mel and Earle were named to the second all-star team.

In 2014, Earle again won the PEI Senior Men’s Curling Championship, with a different team, and went on to compete in the Canadian Senior Men’s Curling Championship in Yellowknife. Ted MacFadyen was skipping, third was Lou Nowlan, Pat Aylward was at second, and Earle played lead.

In 2008, Earle’s team won the PEI Senior Mixed Curling Championship. Mel Bernard skipped, Jeanne Duffenais played third, Earle was at second, and Helen MacDonald was in the lead position. In 2009 they won again, but with Paula Baglole playing lead instead of Helen MacDonald.

Earle’s teams won the PEI Masters Curling Championship every year from 2011 to 2020, for a total of ten championships, the first in 2011, with skip Mel Bernard, third Ted MacFadyen, second Lou Nowlan, and Earle at lead. They won again in 2012 with the same team.

In 2013, Lou Nowlan moved up to third, and Blair Jay played second stone. The 2014 team had Ted MacFadyen at skip, Lou Nowlan at third, Earle at second, and Alan Montgomery at lead. In 2015, the skip changed with Mel Bernard coming back. The skips changed again in 2016, with Ted MacFadyen coming back again. The same team won in 2017. In 2018, Lou skipped, Ted MacFadyen was at third, Earle at second, and Alan Montgomery played lead. In 2019, Lou Nowlan skipped, Dave MacFadyen was at third, Earle at second, and Alan Montgomery at lead. In 2020, they won again with the same team.

In 2021, Bill Hope’s team broke their reign, however, in 2022, Lou, Dave, Earle and Alan returned as the PEI Masters Champions.

Earle volunteered to do scoring statistics for Canadian Curling Championships held in Summerside, including the Juniors in 2002, and the Seniors in 2006 and 2013, along with the Grand Slam of Curling events in 2012 and 2014, plus the Road to the Roar Olympic Pre-Trials in 2017.

Earle was on the curling executive of the Silver Fox from 2015 until 2019. He has helped install the ice at the Fox for the past ten years. As well, he has served on the ice committee from 2019 to the present.

Blair Weeks (Builder)

Blair won two Junior Men’s Curling Championships. The first was in 1981 when he played third for his brother Doug. Doug skipped the team, had Billy Dillon at second, and Mark O’Rourke at lead.

Blair’s next junior championship win was in 1983. Wade MacRae skipped the team, Blair played third, second was Paul Dillon, and lead was Mike Dillon. The team came in third place at the Canadian Junior Curling Championship.

Blair won the PEI Men’s Curling Championship in 1989, with his brother Doug skipping the team. Blair played third, Roy Rodd played second, and David Weeks, another brother, played lead.

In 1996, Blair won the PEI Mixed Curling Championship. At third was Janice MacCallum, brother Doug was at second, and Shelley Muzika was lead.

In 2015, Blair won the PEI Senior Men’s Curling Championship. Rod MacDonald skipped the team, Kevin Champion was at third, second was Blair, and lead was played by Mark Victor.

Blair was runner-up in the 1982 Juniors, the 1983 Canada Winter Games playdown, the 1985 Mixed, 1986 Mixed, the 1995 Mixed, the 1986 Men’s, and the 2016 and 2019 Seniors.

He played in numerous cash bonspiels and won several of them. He won the Souris Cash Spiel in 1980, the Choice Tobacco Cash Spiel on four occasions, the Charlottetown City Championship in 1988 and in 1996, as well as the Summerside Cash Spiel in 1997.

 His teams were the Charlottetown Super League winners in 1987, 1988, 1993, and 1996.

Blair has a long history of volunteering for the sport.

Blair has his level 1 and level 2 certificates in Coaching. Level 1 was obtained in 1987, and level 2 in 2011. The certificates show that he is Club Coach Youth-Trained, Club Coach-Trained, and Curling Competition-Certified.

He coached numerous teams in his curling career. He started with coaching Junior teams, the Miles MacLure rink in 1984, Chris Hickey foursome in 1990, Jamie MacCarthy squad in 1991, Mark Kinney junior team in 1995 when they were provincial champions, and Eddie Mackenzie’s men’s team when they were provincial men’s champions.

Blair received his Level 1 Curling Official’s certification in 1984, and Level 2 in 1987. He was an official and worked with the ice crew at the 1984 Canadian Women’s Curling Championship held in Charlottetown, and an official at the 1987 Canadian Mixed Championship held in Summerside.

Blair was the Ice Chair at the TSN Skins Game in 1991, organizing the ice makers course with the well-known ice maker, Shorty Jenkins, and working with the ice crew to ready the ice for the weekend competition.

During the years 1983 to 1992 he was an instructor at the Charlottetown Curling Club beginners clinics. He delivered several strategy courses and rules clinics on behalf of Curl PEI for the development of juniors. He was the head official for the PEI Curling Association in 1987.

In 1984, Blair co-chaired the Kirkwood Cash Maritime Men’s cash spiel. Blair, brother Doug and Mark O’Rourke also hosted the spiel in 1985 and 1986.

 Blair chaired and promoted the Ultramar Cash Spiel from 1988 through to 1993. He promoted this same spiel during the years 1994 to 1997.

 In 1986, Blair promoted a move to change the Final Eights in the Tankard to a triple-knockout. At the PEI Curling Association annual meeting, he made the motion to implement the change and it was passed.

In 1990, he was the PEI Curling Association’s junior representative for junior men. Blair was responsible organizing the provincial tournament and responsible for the behavior of the men at the Canadian Junior Curling Championship. Blair also organized the first Maritime Junior Curling tournament for provincial junior champions in the fall of 1989.

Blair wrote many articles on curling, sometimes as co-writer, and was the Curling Feature Writer for the Guardian for many years. From 1988 to 1991, he had a weekly column in the Guardian, called 26 Weeks of Curling. He was a co-writer of a column in the Scotties Heart Chart during the Canadian Women’s Curling Championship held in Charlottetown in 2011.          

Blair wrote a daily story on women’s curling during the 1991 Canada Winter Games held on the Island. He was a correspondent for the Guardian on several Canadian Curling Championships, including the Scott in Ottawa in 1990, the Brier in Hamilton in 1991, and the Brier in St. John‘s in 2017.

He was a feature writer for Canadian Curling News, and Atlantic Curling Reports. He also enjoyed serving as a commentator for Cable 10 on Eastlink curling broadcasts.

Blair was a member of the 1991 Charlottetown Curling Club Brier Bid Committee and is currently a member of the Bid Committee for the 2025 Scotties.

He served as the Chair of the Charlottetown Curling Club Future Options Committee in 2021-22. In November 2021, he was elected as President of the Charlottetown Curling Club and is working with a group of directors to bring curling back to the Charlottetown Curling Club.

Finally, Blair received the Curl Canada National Scholarship Award in 1986 and in 1987. He was awarded a Volunteer Award from the Charlottetown Curling Club for long service in 1995. In 2019, Blair was awarded the long-time sport volunteer award from Sport PEI for his volunteer work in the sport of curling.

 

 

 

 

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CURLING CLUB MANAGER – CORNWALL CURLING CLUB Opportunity: Established in 1982 and located in Cornwall, Prince Edward Island, Canada, the Cornwall Curling Club is an active and vibrant curling club that hosts daily league play, weekend bonspiels as well as … Continue reading

July 31 is application deadline for $2500 All Heart junior curler awards (Curling Canada)

  Calling all young curlers! The All Heart Award aims to give the next generation of builders the support needed to create a more inclusive and empowered sporting community via 8 $2,500 awards given to deserving junior curlers and their curling … Continue reading

Cornwall Curling Club seeking manager – apply by July 29. (Updated)

CURLING CLUB MANAGER – CORNWALL CURLING CLUB Opportunity: Established in 1982 and located in Cornwall, Prince Edward Island, Canada, the Cornwall Curling Club is an active and vibrant curling club that hosts daily league play, weekend bonspiels as well as … Continue reading

Attention Female Athletes age 12-16!

Join Sport PEI for She’s Good on July 21st with U18 Women’s World hockey championships gold medalist – Sarah MacEachern! She’s Good will be held at Bluefield High School from 9:15AM-2:45PM. It will be a day full of fun activities … Continue reading

Final Reminder: Application deadline is June 30 for PEI Curling Hall of Fame student bursaries

    The Prince Edward Island Curling Hall of Fame is once again offering bursaries to junior curlers from PEI who will be attending college or university in the upcoming season. There are two $1000 bursaries, one for a female … Continue reading

Funding announced to construct a new curling facility in West Prince PEI (Infrastructure Canada)

WEST PRINCE, PE, June 29, 2022 /CNW/ – Today, Bobby Morrissey, Member of Parliament for Egmont, on behalf of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities; the Honourable James Aylward, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, and Clair Sweet of the West Prince … Continue reading

Curling Canada’s inaugural PointsBet Invitational ch’ship to be played Sept. 21-25 at Willie O’Ree Place in Fredericton, N.B. (Curling Canada)

Curling Canada’s newest championship, the PointsBet Invitational, will feature new teams, an exciting new format and new ways to be entertained.   The inaugural PointsBet Invitational will be played Sept. 21-25 at Willie O’Ree Place in Fredericton, N.B., and will … Continue reading

Reminder: Application deadline is June 30 for PEI Curling Hall of Fame student bursaries

    The Prince Edward Island Curling Hall of Fame is once again offering bursaries to junior curlers from PEI who will be attending college or university in the upcoming season. There are two $1000 bursaries, one for a female … Continue reading

Passing of long-time Ch’town curler and drawmaster Don Wonnacott at age 97

The death occurred peacefully at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, surrounded by the love of his family on Wednesday, June 8, 2022 of Don Ashley Wonnacott of Charlottetown, age 97 years. Devoted husband of Florence (nee MacLean), loving father of Mary … Continue reading

New Curling Canada awards program to invest $20K in future builders of sport (Curling Canada)

Curling Canada is launching a new annual monetary awards program for junior curlers growing the sport in meaningful and inclusive ways. The All Heart Junior Curlers Awards is for young Canadians who embody the values of curling by placing the … Continue reading

Curling Canada announces new U-25 event aimed at keeping young players in the game (Curling Canada)

For a lot of young curlers, the transition out of juniors can be difficult. This period in life is usually accompanied by a number of other changes like moving away from home, studying at college or university, or starting a … Continue reading

Application deadline is June 30, 2022 for PEI Curling Hall of Fame student bursaries

    The Prince Edward Island Curling Hall of Fame is once again offering bursaries to junior curlers from PEI who will be attending college or university in the upcoming season. There are two $1000 bursaries, one for a female … Continue reading

Nova Scotia’s Team Purcell wins World Junior bronze (Curling Canada)

Canada’s Team Owen Purcell is taking home the bronze medal after emerging victorious on Sunday at the 2022 World Junior Curling Championships in Jönköping, Sweden. Team Owen Purcell won bronze at the 2022 World Junior Curling Championships. (Photo, Cheyenne Boone/World Curling Federation) … Continue reading

Nova Scotia’s Team Purcell to play for bronze at the 2022 World Junior Curling Championships (Curling Canada)

After a semifinal loss on Saturday, Canada’s Team Owen Purcell will play for bronze at the 2022 World Junior Curling Championships. Canada’s Team Owen Purcell will play for bronze at the 2022 World Junior Curling Championships. (Photo, World Curling Federation/Cheyenne Boone) … Continue reading

Nova Scotia’s Team Purcell advances to World Junior semis, Canadian women’s team with PEI’s Shaw finishes with 3-6 record (Curling Canada)

Skip Owen Purcell and his Canadian junior men’s team from the Halifax Curling Club are among the final four teams to keep their dreams of winning a world junior curling championship alive at the 2022 World Junior Curling Championships in Jönköping, Sweden. … Continue reading

Fall Fling Junior Cashspiel set for Summerside Oct. 7-9

The Fall Fling Junior Cashspiel at the Silver Fox Entertainment Complex in Summerside PEI will take place October 7th, 8th & 9th 2022. Spots are filling up fast! Secure one of the 12 spots in either the male or the … Continue reading

Application deadline is June 30, 2022 for PEI Curling Hall of Fame student bursaries

    The Prince Edward Island Curling Hall of Fame is once again offering bursaries to junior curlers from PEI who will be attending college or university in the upcoming season. There are two $1000 bursaries, one for a female … Continue reading

Canadian men’s curling team won its third-straight game, while the women’s team. with PEI’s Katie Shaw, is focused on having a solid finish at the 2022 World Junior Curling Championships (Curling Canada)

The Canadian men’s curling team won its third-straight game, while the women’s team is focused on having a solid finish at the 2022 World Junior Curling Championships in Jönköping, Sweden.  A two-win day for Team Owen Purcell (5-3) elevated the junior men’s … Continue reading

Canadian Junior Men defeat medal contenders, women (including PEI’s Katie Shaw) split games at 2022 World Juniors (Curling Canada)

The Canadian junior men’s curling team found a big win against a medal contender, while the Canadian women’s team split a pair of games on Wednesday at the 2022 World Junior Curling Championships. Team Owen Purcell (Halifax Curling Club) improved … Continue reading

Canadian Teams battling for playoff spots at 2022 World Junior Curling Ch’ships (Curling Canada)

The Canadian junior men’s and women’s teams are now at the halfway mark of the round robin at the 2022 World Junior Curling Championships in Jönköping, Sweden and both teams are battling for contention in the playoffs this upcoming weekend. As of … Continue reading

Synergy Fitness and Nutrition once again offering off-season Sport Performance Training to PEI curlers of all ages

Synergy Fitness & Nutrition in Charlottetown is once again offering an off-season Sport Performance Training Program to Island curlers.  All ages are welcome.  They will work with your level of fitness to ensure your training is fitting your needs. Participating … Continue reading

Canadians, including PEI’s Katie Shaw, pick up 1st wins at 2022 World Junior Curling Ch’ships (Curling Canada)

The Canadian teams at the 2022 World Junior Curling Championships bounced back with some wins on Monday. After a winless debut yesterday, the teams combined for two victories during three games played in Jönköping, Sweden. PEI’s Katie Shaw, left, and Lauren Rajala … Continue reading

Canadian teams still looking for 1st win after World Juniors opening day (Curling Canada)

Canadian junior men’s and women’s teams began their round-robin schedules at the 2022 World Junior Curling Championships in Jönköping, Sweden on Sunday. The teams played three games combined on opening day and were short of earning a win at the … Continue reading

Passing of PEI Curling Hall of Fame member “D Alex” MacDonald

Suddenly at the Prince County Hospital, on Thursday, May 12, 2022, of Daniel Alexander “D Alex” MacDonald, aged 95 years. Born in Travellers Rest on March 3rd, 1927, son of the late Daniel and Clara MacDonald. Husband of 62 years … Continue reading

Team Canada, including PEI’s Katie Shaw, aims to defend World Junior titles, starting Sunday in Sweden (Curling Canada)

A pair of Canadian teams will aim to end the 2021-22 curling season on the podium as the 2022 World Junior Curling Championships get underway Sunday in Jönköping, Sweden. It will be the first edition of the World Juniors since … Continue reading

Grand Slam win concludes successful run with Team Gushue for PEI’s Gallant (GSOC)

OLDS, Alta.  BY: JONATHAN BRAZEAU — Brad Gushue finished the latest chapter of his storied curling career winning his 13th career Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling men’s championship. Brad Gushue, Mark Nichols, Brett Gallant and Geoff Walker celebrate with the Champions Cup … Continue reading

ICYMI: Curling Canada now accepting 2022 For the Love of Curling Scholarship applications (Curling Canada)

Young curlers with aspirations both on and off the ice can now apply for Curling Canada’s For the Love of Curling scholarship program to help make those dreams come true. The program will award 11 scholarships of $2,500 each to … Continue reading

Student Athletes: Apply by May 12 for Sport PEI scholarships and credits

SPORT PEI SCHOLARSHIPS Sport PEI offers 4 $1000 Sport Scholarship awards which recognize excellence and achievement in sport, academics and community involvement. Deadline to apply is Thursday May 12, 2022. The Sport PEI scholarships are made possible with support from … Continue reading

Team PEI completes play at Canadian U18s with 3 wins, Fairplay honour

Team Dalton reports that they had a great week at the 2022 Under-18 Canadian Curling Championships in Oakville Ontario, with a lot of close games, although they finished without a win and had to forfeit their final game due to … Continue reading

PEI’s Lenentine rink picks up win at Canadian U18 Ch’ships in Oakville ON

The 2022 Canadian Under-18 Boys and Girls Curling Championships are continuing at the Oakville Curling Club in Oakville Ontario. PEI’s Ella Lenentine Girls’ rink are 1-5 following round robin play, while the Boy’s rink skipped by Isaiah Dalton are 0-6. … Continue reading

Well-known Stick Curler Bob Leard passes away

Robert “Bob” Leard, a well-known PEI stick curler and curling delivery-stick manufacturer, has passed away. Bob Leard Bob was featured in this 2016 CBC story: Link: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/pei-stick-curling-2016-1.3852097 Excerpt: “We are doing pretty good for the little old Island, we do … Continue reading

Canadian U18 Ch’ships continue in Oakville ON. PEI Girls’ 1:30 pm game today to be streamed on Curling Canada’s YouTube page

The 2022 Canadian Under-18 Boys and Girls Curling Championships are continuing at the Oakville Curling Club in Oakville Ontario.  Team PEI PEI is represented by our U18 provincial champions, the Ella Lenentine-skipped Girls team and the Boys rink skipped by … Continue reading

Canadian U18 Ch’ships underway in Oakville ON. PEI Boys’ 9:30 pm game sched. to be streamed on Curling Canada’s YouTube page

The 2022 Canadian Under-18 Boys and Girls Curling Championships are underway at the Oakville Curling Club in Oakville Ontario.  Team PEI PEI is represented by our U18 provincial champions, the Ella Lenentine-skipped Girls team and the Boys rink skipped by … Continue reading

Curling Canada now accepting 2022 For the Love of Curling Scholarship applications (Curling Canada)

Young curlers with aspirations both on and off the ice can now apply for Curling Canada’s For the Love of Curling scholarship program to help make those dreams come true. The program will award 11 scholarships of $2,500 each to … Continue reading

Student Athletes: Apply by May 12 for Sport PEI scholarships and credits

SPORT PEI SCHOLARSHIPS Sport PEI offers 4 $1000 Sport Scholarship awards which recognize excellence and achievement in sport, academics and community involvement. Deadline to apply is Thursday May 12, 2022. The Sport PEI scholarships are made possible with support from … Continue reading

Canada’s best Under-18 Curling Teams Open Play Sunday in Oakville Ont. (Curling Canada)

For the first time since 2019, Canada’s best young curling teams will gather under one roof to play for national titles when the 2022 Canadian Under-18 Boys and Girls Curling Championships get underway Sunday. The 2022 Canadian Under-18 Championships will run through … Continue reading

Canada (Peterman/Gallant) eliminated by Norway at 2022 World Mixed Doubles Ch’ship (Curling Canada)

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND — Canada’s run at a podium finish ended on Friday at the 2022 World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship.  Canada’s Jocelyn Peterman and Brett Gallant lost to Norway in the qualification game at the 2022 World Mixed Doubles Curling … Continue reading

PEI’s Lenentine and Dalton rinks to compete in Canadian U18 Ch’ships, which start Sunday in Oakville Ont.

The 2022 Canadian Under-18 Boys and Girls Curling Championships take place May 1-7 at the Oakville Curling Club in Oakville Ontario. The event was originally scheduled for Feb. 14-20 in Timmins, Ont., but ongoing uncertainty related to the COVID-19 pandemic … Continue reading

Peterman/Gallant clinch Canada’s playoff spot at the 2022 World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship (Curling Canada)

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND — Canada has clinched its spot in the playoffs at the 2022 World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship. While there’s one more day of round-robin competition to go at Sous-Moulin Sports Centre and two more games for Canada, it … Continue reading

Cornwall’s Etta Reid and Elaine Hughes win Women’s Division silver at Canadian Stick Curling Ch’ship

It was a close 5-4 final on Monday in the 8-team Women’s Division of the Canadian Stick Curling Championships at Curl Moncton, with the Cornwall Curling Club duo of Etta Reid and Elaine Hughes losing in an extra end without … Continue reading

Canada’s mixed doubles team adds two wins on Tuesday (Curling Canada)

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND — Canada’s mixed doubles team put together two of its most convincing victories at the 2022 World Mixed Doubles Championship and is showing plenty of signs of life two-thirds of the way through the round robin. Brett Gallant … Continue reading

Canada’s Peterman/Gallant fall short in bout with Scotland at 2022 World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship (Curling Canada)

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND — What Canada’s schedule lacked in quantity on Monday made up for in quality. Quality shotmaking. Quality strategy. A quality opponent.  Canada’s Brett Gallant and Jocelyn Peterman were just short in a game against Scotland on Monday at … Continue reading

Two wins for Peterman and Gallant on day two of World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship (Curling Canada)

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND — Canada’s mixed doubles team is keeping pace with the best in its pool at the 2022 World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship.  Canada’s Jocelyn Peterman and Brett Gallant secured two wins on Sunday at the 2022 World Mixed … Continue reading

Applications still open for 2022 Canadian Senior Women’s Curling Friendship Tour to the USA

The Canadian Senior Women’s Curling Friendship Tour to the USA, now scheduled for November 2022, is still accepting applications. Please review the attached documents, and follow the process of applying if you are interested (ignore the application deadline). Click document … Continue reading

Peterman/Gallant defeat Germany in World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship opener (Curling Canada)

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND — The first one is in the books for Canada’s Jocelyn Peterman (Winnipeg) and Brett Gallant (St. John’s, N.L.). Canada’s mixed doubles team picked up its first win at the 2022 World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship. On Saturday … Continue reading

PEI Stick Curlers at Nationals in Moncton

The Canadian Stick Curling Championship, with Open (any combination of two men/women) and Women’s divisions, is underway at Curl Moncton, and wraps up on Monday. (L-R): Ruth Stavert, Audrey Callaghan, John Dunsford, Myrna Sanderson, Elaine Hughes, Etta Reid   PEI … Continue reading

Peterman/Gallant, Teams Anderson and White to represent Canada at World Mixed Doubles and Senior Curling Championships (Curling Canada)

Canadian curling fans have a series of three world curling championships to turn their attention to as we near the end of the 2021-22 international curling season. This Saturday, the World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship and the World Senior Men’s … Continue reading

Team Bottcher confirms new lineup, including PEI’s Brett Gallant (GSOC)

BY: JONATHAN BRAZEAU Edmonton skip Brendan Bottcher has put together a new curling team of Olympic proportions. Bottcher announced Monday he is joining forces next season with third Marc Kennedy, second Brett Gallant and lead Ben Hebert. (L-R): Gallant, Bottcher, Hebert, … Continue reading

Team Gushue captures silver medal at LGT World Men’s Ch’ship (Curling Canada)

A wonderful week of curling came to a disappointing end for Canada’s Team Brad Gushue on Sunday at the 2022 LGT World Men’s Curling Championship, presented by New Holland. The Canadian team from St. John’s, N.L., that had ground its … Continue reading

Cornwall’s Isaiah Dalton team wins PEI U16 Championship

The 2022 PEI Mixed Doubles championship wrapped up on Saturday, while the 2022 PEI U16 Curling Championship concluded on Sunday afternoon. Both events were held at the Silver Fox Entertainment Complex in Summerside.  PEI U16 Championship The Ella Lenentine rink … Continue reading

Edward and Jenny White couple sweep PEI Mixed Doubles Ch’ship, Ella Lenentine rink earns bye to 2 pm final at PEI U16, both in S’Side

The 2022 PEI Mixed Doubles championship wrapped up on Saturday while the 2022 PEI U16 Curling Championship wraps up today, both at the Silver Fox Entertainment Complex in Summerside.  The Edward and Jenny White couple from the host club, who … Continue reading

Team Canada to face Sweden in LGT World Men’s gold medal game (Curling Canada)

A nine-day grind in Las Vegas will come to an end Sunday for Canada’s Team Brad Gushue, but it’s exactly the way they wanted it to end — with a shot at gold. Gushue and his St. John’s, N.L., team … Continue reading

Team Canada finishes LGT World Men’s round-robin in 1st place with a bye to Saturday semi-final (Curling Canada)

Twelve games later, it’s hard to imagine that Team Canada could be in any better position upon the conclusion of the round-robin competition at the 2022 LGT World Men’s Curling Championship, presented by New Holland. A 10-2 record. First place … Continue reading

Ed and Jenny White win PEI Mixed Doubles “A” Qualifier, Dalton team 2-0 at PEI U16 Ch’ship, both in S’Side. Spectators welcome!

The 2022 PEI Mixed Doubles and the 2022 PEI U16 Curling Championships got underway Friday April 8th at the Silver Fox Entertainment Complex in Summerside.  The Mixed Doubles has 4 teams registered and is playing a modified triple knockout format … Continue reading

Update: U16 start times now at 2 and 6 pm today. PEI Mixed Doubles and U16 Ch’ships both start today (Fri.) in S’side. Spectators welcome!

The 2022 PEI Mixed Doubles and the 2022 PEI U16 Curling Championships both take place April 8-10, 2022 at the Silver Fox Entertainment Complex in Summerside. Due to the length of the “Singles Curling”, U16 start times have been revised … Continue reading

Gushue rink, with PEI’s Gallant, locks up Worlds playoff berth (Curling Canada)

Box 1 on the Team Canada to-do list has been checked off — clinch a playoff berth. Brad Gushue’s Canadian team from St. John’s, N.L., did that on Thursday night at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, rolling up a 10-2 … Continue reading

ICYMI: Ch’town Curling Club holding spring fling spiel, discussing progress toward building a new curling facility in Stratford (SaltWire)

The Charlottetown Curling Club is holding its first annual spring fling spiel on April 9 and is inviting the public to come and try the sport of curling. The free event will celebrate the legacy and future of the club, … Continue reading

Student Athletes: Apply now for Sport PEI scholarships and credits

SPORT PEI SCHOLARSHIPS Sport PEI offers 4 $1000 Sport Scholarship awards which recognizes excellence and achievement in sport, academics and community involvement. Deadline to apply is Thursday May 12, 2022. The Sport PEI scholarships are made possible with support from Sport … Continue reading

61st Canadian Fire Fighters Curling Ch’ship rescheduled for Montague in 2023

UPDATE: The Canadian Fire Fighters Curling Association has now rescheduled the 61st Canadian Fire Fighters Curling Championship to March 24 – April 1, 2023. The PEI Host Committee has agreed to hosting in 2023 at the Montague Curling Club. The … Continue reading

Team Canada maintains hold on top spot at World Men’s (Curling Canada)

Team Canada salvaged a split of its Wednesday assignment of Scandinavian nations at the 2022 LGT World Men’s Curling Championship, presented by New Holland. After falling 7-5 to Sweden’s Team Niklas Edin in the morning draw at Orleans Arena in … Continue reading

Updated: PEI Mixed Doubles and U16 Ch’ships both start Fri. in S’side. Spectators welcome!

The 2022 PEI Mixed Doubles and the 2022 PEI U16 Curling Championships both take place April 8-10, 2022 at the Silver Fox Entertainment Complex in Summerside. The Mixed Doubles has 4 teams registered and will play a modified triple knockout … Continue reading

P.E.I.’s Lauren Ferguson helps Nova Scotia win Canadian Under-21 women’s title (SaltWire)

(by Jason Simmonds) HALIFAX, N.S. — Lauren Ferguson admits winning a Canadian curling championship is going to take a while to sink in. Ferguson plays third stone with Nova Scotia’s Taylour Stevens rink, which won the 2022 New Holland Canadian … Continue reading

Sixth win for Canada at World Men’s (Curling Canada)

Not that they want to continue the trend, but falling behind early in games hasn’t been an issue for Canada’s Team Brad Gushue at the 2022 LGT World Men’s Curling Championship, presented by New Holland.   Canada’s Geoff Walker, top, … Continue reading

Team Canada stretches win streak to five at World Men’s (Curling Canada)

It was a cool, composed and, for the first time at this 2022 LGT World Men’s Curling Championship, comfortable-looking Canadian team skipped by Brad Gushue that took to the ice Monday afternoon at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. It all … Continue reading

Yarmouth to host 2022 Everest Canadian Seniors (Curling Canada)

It will be a picture-perfect 2022 Everest Canadian Senior Curling Championships, with the event heading to the edge of the Atlantic coast. Yarmouth and Acadian Shores, N.S., will host the event for the first time, it was announced today by … Continue reading

PEI Mixed Doubles and U16 Ch’ships both start Friday in Summerside

The 2022 PEI Mixed Doubles and the 2022 PEI U16 Curling Championships both take place April 8-10, 2022 at the Silver Fox Entertainment Complex in Summerside. The Mixed Doubles has 4 teams registered and will play a modified triple knockout … Continue reading

Cornwall’s FREE Apr. 6 Super Series Coaching session with Kathy O’Rourke has room for more participants, and welcomes those from other clubs

The Cornwall Curling Club’s Wednesday April 6 Super Series session on coaching, with Kathy O’Rourke, has room for more participants and is also open to coaches from other clubs, or those parents or curlers who might be interested in coaching. … Continue reading

West Edmonton Mall to host 2022 Everest Curling Club Championships (Curling Canada)

The Everest Canadian Curling Club Championships are returning to Alberta in grand fashion at one of Edmonton’s most notable ice facilities. The annual curling club championship will be at the West Edmonton Mall Ice Palace from Nov. 20-26, it was … Continue reading

Team Canada 4-0 at Worlds (Curling Canada)

A grinding 39 ends of curling has taken a toll on Team Canada at the 2022 LGT World Men’s Curling Championship, presented by New Holland. But considering the four victories that hard work produced, leaving Brad Gushue and his team … Continue reading

Two-win Saturday for Team Gushue at World Men’s (Curling Canada)

TEAM CANADA COMES THROUGH WITH 10TH-END DRAMATICS TO DEFEAT NORWAY Some lingering rust is slowly dissipating for Team Canada at the 2022 LGT World Men’s Curling Championship, presented by New Holland. After a grinding opening victory earlier Saturday at Orleans … Continue reading

Curler Brett Gallant wins P.E.I. Lieutenant-Governor’s Award (SaltWire)

(By Jason Simmonds) Brett Gallant has joined Paralympian Mark Arendzand Heather Moyse, who competed in bobsled in four Winter Olympics, as four-time winners of the P.E.I. Lieutenant-Governor’s Amateur Athletic Award. The award is presented to P.E.I.’s most outstanding male or … Continue reading

Team PEI’s Sydney Howatt receives Balance Plus fair play award at New Holland Canadian Under-21 Curling Ch’ships (Curling Canada)

STRATFORD, ONT. – The award winners at the 2022 New Holland Canadian Under-21 Curling Championships were announced on Friday at the awards banquet at the Stratford Country Club. They are: Ken Watson Spirit awards – chosen by players Womens Pool A – Anna … Continue reading