The Western Community Curling Club in Alberton is holding an Open House and Free Curling School, open to everyone, on November 2, 3 and 4 from 7-9 pm. No pre-registration required – just show up. Bring clean sneakers and wear stretchy or loose pants and a light jacket. Everything else is provided.
Monthly Archives: October 2016
The rocks are now on the ice, and curling is beginning at the Silver Fox Curling and Yacht Community Complex in Summerside. Open house/curling school is set for Nov. 3 and 4, with leagues starting on the 6th.
Photo: Ice committee putting the rocks on the ice at the Silver Fox
At the Charlottetown Curling Complex, the Afternoon League started Oct 27, and the Commercial League hit the ice on Oct 30. The Monday evening “Anything Goes” league starts Oct 31, while Competitive & Semi-Competitive starts Nov 2.
The Crapaud Community Curling Club are having ice plant issues, and are meeting tonight to decide on next steps.
Ice preparation is nearing completion at the Montague Curling Rink, with the rings now installed. They are holding their annual Free Curling Lessons/Open House, on Nov. 7, 8 and 9, beginning at 6:30 each evening.
Montague rings installed
The Maple Leaf Curling Club in O’Leary is sporting a new look, with an exterior upgrade.
Their Open House, Registration, and free “Try Curling” sessions are scheduled for Saturday, November 12 (revised date), from 1-4 pm. Afterschool Little Rock curling will still start on Nov. 10th, with Stick curling beginning Nov 8th, and conventional curling on the 16th.
The Cornwall Curling Club is now into its fourth week of curling, with a full draw for its Mixed Doubles bonspiel this Saturday.
We’ll pass on startup info on the Western Community Curling Club in Alberton when we receive it.
The Tyler Smith rink was leading 3-1 this morning going into the seventh end of their eight-end qualifier game for the semi-final round at the 23rd BrokerLink OVCA invitational Junior Superspiel in the Ottawa area. However, the Hunter Clawson foursome from Potomac Maryland picked up five points in that end to grab a 6-3 win and the championship round berth. Clawson now plays Matthew Hall of Barrie ON, while Matthew Manuel of Halifax takes on Tanner Horgan of Sudbury in the 1 pm Atlantic semis, with the winners squaring off in the 5pm AT final.
Photo (L-R): Brooks Roche, Noah O’Connor, Chris Gallant, Tyler Smith
Event results site: http://www.curlingzone.com/event.php?eventid=4497&eventtypeid=84&view=Main
PEI’s Tyler Smith rink picked up a pair of wins on Saturday, against Sam Mooibroek of Kitchener-Waterloo ON, and Pascal Michaud of Ajax ON at the BrokerLink OVCA Junior Superspiel invitational event in the Ottawa area. The Island squad now play the Hunter Clawson team from the USA in the men’s C final at 10 this morning Atlantic time, with the winner advancing to the men’s semi-final round at 1 pm Atlantic. The men’s and women’s finals go at 5 pm ADT.
Photo (L-R): Brooks Roche, Noah O’Connor, Chris Gallant, Tyler Smith
Matthew Manuel of Nova Scotia, and Matthew Hall of Barrie ON have already qualified for the semis.
Scores at: http://www.curlingzone.com/event.php?view=Scores&eventid=4497
The 23rd annual BrokerLink-OVCA Junior SuperSpiel gets underway Friday morning at four Ottawa area curling clubs, and finishes with the finals at the Carleton Heights Curling Club at 5pm Atlantic on Sunday. There are junior men’s and junior women’s sections, with the only Island entry being the team of Tyler Smith, Chris Gallant, Noah O’Connor, and Brooks Roche, with coach Kevin Smith.
Photo (L-R): Brooks Roche, Noah O’Connor, Chris Gallant, Tyler Smith
The invitational event features international teams from Switzerland, the USA and China joining top provincial representatives from every province from Manitoba to Newfoundland as well as British Columbia. Headlining the field this year will be the defending World Junior Women’s Champions, Team Clarke from Nova Scotia, and the defending Canadian Junior Men’s runners-up, Team Horgan from Northern Ontario.
Event website: superspiel.ca
Live scoring at: www.curlingzone.com
The Wendy’s Under 16 Development League, which takes place on selected Saturday mornings at the Cornwall Curling Club, has been changed to add a tenth team – the Cruz Pineau rink from the Silver Fox. This will eliminate the weekly bye, but will require two draws – at 9 and 10:30am. The Pineau team will be required to play a makeup game with the Chase MacMillan team, who had the bye the first week.
Draw dates are: Oct 22, Nov 12, Dec 3, Dec 17, Jan 7, Jan 28, Feb 4, Feb 11, Mar 18.
The March 18 date is at the start of March Break, but there are limited weeks available. Teams who can’t make it that week may want to play the game on another date. January 21 has been removed from the schedule to accommodate the Future Scotties and Future Tankard events.
| WENDY’S U16 SAT. JUNIOR DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE 2016-2017 SCHEDULE | |||||
| DRAW | DATE | ICE 1 | ICE 2 | ICE 3 | ICE 4 |
| ( 1 ) 9:00 | Oct 22, 2016 | Lauren Ferguson vs Katie Shaw | Bailey O’Grady vs Mitchell Shut | Clara Jack vs Alexis Burris | Lily Taweel vs Rachel MacLean |
| ( 1 ) 10:30 | Chase MacMillan vs Cruz Pineau | <—-GAME TO BE MADE UP | |||
| ( 2 ) 9:00 | Nov 12, 2016 | Chase MacMillan vs Alexis Burris | Katie Shaw vs Bailey O’Grady | Mitchell Shut vs Clara Jack | |
| ( 2 ) 10:30 | Rachel MacLean vs Lauren Ferguson | Lily Taweel vs Cruz Pineau | |||
| ( 3 ) 9:00 | Dec 3, 2016 | Cruz Pineau vs Alexis Burris | Bailey O’Grady vs Rachel Maclean | Mitchell Schut vs Chase MacMillan | |
| ( 3 ) 10:30 | Lauren Ferguson vs Lily Taweel | Clara Jack vs Katie Shaw | |||
| ( 4 ) 9:00 | Dec 17, 2016 | Lily Taweel vs Baily O’Grady | Alexis Burris vs Mitchell Shut | Chase MacMillan vs Katie Shaw | |
| ( 4 ) 10:30 | Rachel Maclean vs Clara Jack | Lauren Ferguson vs Cruz Pineau | |||
| ( 5 ) 9:00 | Jan 7, 2017 | Clara Jack vs Lily Taweel | Katie Shaw vs Alexis Burris | Rachel MacLean vs Chase MacMillan | |
| ( 5 ) 10:30 | Bailey O’Grady vs Lauren Ferguson | Cruz Pineau vs Mitchell Schut | |||
| ( 6 ) 9:00 | Jan 28, 2017 | Alexis Burris vs Rachel MacLean | Chase MacMillan vs Lily Taweel | Lauren Ferguson vs Clara Jack | |
| ( 6 ) 10:30 | Bailey O’Grady vs Cruz Pineau | Mitchel Schut vs Katie Shaw | |||
| ( 7 ) 9:00 | Feb 4, 2017 | Lily Taweel vs Alexis Burris | Lauren Ferguson vs Chase MacMillan | Rachel MacLean vs Mitchell Schut | |
| ( 7 ) 10:30 | Cruz Pineau vs Katie Shaw | Clara Jack vs Bailey O’Grady | |||
| ( 8 ) 9:00 | Feb 11, 2017 | Chase MacMillan vs Bailey O’Grady | Katie Shaw vs Rachel MacLean | Alexis Burris vs Lauren Ferguson | |
| ( 8 ) 10:30 | Mitchel Schut vs Lily Taweel | Clara Jack vs Cruz Pineau | |||
| ( 9 ) 9:00 | Mar 18, 17 | Lauren Ferguson vs Mitchel Schut | Clara Jack vs Chase MacMillan | Bailey O’Grady vs Alexis Burris | |
| ( 9 ) 10:30 | Lily Taweel vs Katie Shaw | Cruz Pineau vs Rachel Maclean | |||
Here are the team rosters:
| WENDY’S U16 SAT. JUNIOR DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE 2016-2017 | ||||
| No | Skip | Mate | Second | Lead |
| 1 | Chase MacMillan | Davis Nicholson | Liam Barbrick | Jack MacFadyen |
| 2 | Rachel MacLean | Jordan Dunphy-Condon | Olivia Barbour | Avery Nicholson |
| 3 | Mitchell Schut | Colin MacKenzie | Michael MacEwen | Liam Kelly |
| 4 | Alexis Burris | Sydney Howatt | Meghan Sherren | Madelyn Cantwell |
| 5 | Katie Shaw | Amy Spence | Grace Bulger | Lexie Murray |
| 6 | Lauren Ferguson | Emma Coffin | Emily Sanderson | Sierra Clyke |
| 7 | Clara Jack | Beth Walsh | Aurora Ulvstal | Darrah MacLeod |
| 8 | Bailey O’Grady | Gillian Barbrick | Katelyn Burgoyne | Megan Perry |
| 9 | Lily Taweel | Gracie Gaudet | Annabelle Orichefsky | Maggie Campbell |
| 10 | Cruz Pineau | Brock Rochford | Braydon Snow | Noah Gallant |
Spares: Alec Huestis 902-213-6617 and Ella Lenentine 902-675-4901
Rules:
1. Round Robin format
2. 6 end games
- Early draw starts at 09:00 am and late draw starts at 10:30 am Saturday Morning on the dates indicated.4. Score will be tabulated as follows: 5 points for a win; 2.5 points each for a tie; 2 points for each end won; 1 point each for blank ends.
- Teams are responsible for marking their score when they come off the ice. Players are strongly encouraged to play all 6 ends regardless of score. If a team does decide to retire early the other team will be awarded 2 points for the remaining ends.
- In the event of a tie in score at the end of the season, the winner will be determined in the following order: Wins in game against each other; Points for wins and draws; Points for ends; Total Score (i.e., the sum of your game scores).
- If a game cannot be played it is up to the teams to make the game up. A double game on the same Saturday may be the best option for this or contact Bev at the Club for other available ice. If a team defaults and decides not to make the game up the other team will be awarded the win and 4 of the 6 ends for a total of 13 points.
- Coaches / Chaperones can go out to the ice when they see an opportunity to teach their team. The spirit of the rule is to allow the coaches to help their teams think about different possibilities and learn, not just call the shots for the team. Other reasons may include helping their teams with etiquette, speeding up play or perhaps interpreting the rules.
- Have FUN and Good Curling!
(by Colin MacLean)
SUMMERSIDE – In 1973, Rod MacDonald watched his brother Peter win the provincial junior championship for Summerside and go on to nationals in Moncton.
That was enough for Rod, he was sold on the sport and took it up a year later.
The rest, as they say, is history.
The MacDonalds went on to have distinguished careers as both players and organizers of the sport of curling on P.E.I.
Monday night the brothers, along with fellow builders of the sport, Kay Atkinson and Lou Nowlan were inducted into the P.E.I. Curling Hall of Fame in a special ceremony at the Silver Fox Entertainment Complex.
Four new members were inducted into the P.E.I. Curling Hall of Fame in a special ceremony in Summerside Monday evening. From left are, Peter and Rod MacDonald, Lou Nowlan and Kay Atkinson.
© Colin MacLean/TC Media
The Montague Curling Rink are holding their annual Free Curling Lessons/Open House, on Nov. 7, 8 and 9, beginning at 6:30 each evening. Come any or all nights – no advance registration needed. The training is geared to adults, but kids can attend, too. Bring clean sneakers and wear loose or stretchy pants and a light jacket. They provide loaner sliders and brushes. For more info, call 902-838-2513.
Experienced female curlers are needed for the spare pool during the 2017 Canadian Mixed Curling Championship, Nov 13-19, 2016 in Yarmouth, NS. Please contact Nick Hilton at [email protected] for further information and details.
A large crowd of friends, family, former teammates and well-wishers was on hand Monday evening at the Silver Fox Curling and Yacht Community Complex in Summerside for the 10th annual PEI Curling Hall of Fame and Museum induction ceremony, with four inductees, three of whom curled out of the Fox, being honoured – Kay Atkinson in the Builder category, Peter and Rod MacDonald as Curler/Builders, and Lou Nowlan in the Curler category. (Biographies for the inductees follow this report).

The Complex was professionally lit for the occasion, and a display of previous Hall of Fame inductees’ portraits and biographies was shown on the big screen throughout the evening.
The ceremony started with the inductees being lead into the hall and taking their front row seats, and Master of Ceremonies Paul H. Schurman taking to the podium, welcoming everyone, and introducing Hall of Fame and Museum Chair and Canadian Curling Hall of Fame member Jerry Muzika.
Jerry Muzika
Jerry had a few words of welcome, and then introduced the Mayor of the City of Summerside, Bill Martin, for some remarks. Bill mentioned that he was glad that so many (three out of the four) Summersiders were being honoured, and mentioned that he is a member of the Silver Fox as both a yachter and a curler, at one time taking part in the Junior (“Schoolboy”) playdowns, and now curling in Monday night mixed.
Bill Martin
Next up was Angela Hodgson, last year’s Curl PEI president, and recently-elected Curling Canada Board of Governors members, speaking in her first official role in that position.
Angela Hodgson
Sheila Compton, Curling President for the Fox was also on hand to with greetings.
Sheila Compton
The final greetings were from Curl PEI President Andrew Robinson, who remarked that he was very familiar with all the inductees, having participated in many events officiated by Kay, curled on provincial championship teams with Rod, and played many games against both Peter and Lou.
Andrew Robinson
Paul H. Schurman, in his remarks, also made note of the new PEICurling Hall of Fame and Museum scholarships, made possible by anonymous donors, with 4 scholarships annually, totalling $3000, being presented. He noted that the recipients have been chosen, are currently being contacted, and will be announced soon.
The first inductee was Charlottetown’s Kay Atkinson, in the Builder category, who kept her remarks brief, and thanked everyone for their assistance during her 20 years of curling officiating. Board member Wayne Wright, who is also the artist for all the Hall of Fame portraits, presented her with her with a certificate, pin, and portrait.
Atkinson, Wright
Kay Atkinson
The next two inductees, Summerside natives Peter and Rod MacDonald, are brothers who curled many years, often on the same team, and often with their wives and other family members on the team too. They were inducted in the Curler/Builder category. Both won multiple men’s championships, and together with their wives, finished as runners-up at the Canadian Mixed in 1996, which Rod mentioned as a particular highlight. Peter finished as Mixed runner-up a second time, with sister Kathy O’Rourke, her husband Mark, and Peter’s wife Karen on the team. Both mentioned the tremendous impact curling had on their business and personal lives. Their father, D. Alex, also a Hall of Fame member, was on hand for the event, as well as other members of their family and former team members.
Former teammate and Hall of Fame Board Member Ken MacDonald presented the pin and certificate, and unveiled the portrait for Peter, with Board Member Arleen Harris doing the same for Rod.
Ken MacDonald, Peter MacDonald
Rod MacDonald, Arleen Harris
Peter MacDonald
Rod MacDonald
The final inductee of the evening, in the Curler category, was Summerside’s Lou Nowlan, with Board Member and Hall of Fame member Al Ledgerwood presenting the pin and certificate, and unveiling the portrait.
Ledgerwood, Nowlan
A large contingent of family members were on hand for the presentation, including his wife Margaret, children, and grandchildren.
Lou Nowlan
Lou recapped his three-decade curling career, which began with an Atlantic Forces Curling Championship, representing CFB Summerside, and included 2 national Legion curling titles, and five consecutive Masters titles (out of 11 in total), in which his team never lost a game during the competitions.
Following closing remarks by Paul H. Schurman, the inductees posed for photographs on the stage, and Board members had their photo taken with the 10th Anniversary cake during the post-event reception.
This year’s induction ceremony was sponsored by PEI Ford Dealers, Beaton’s Wholesale Dry Goods, the City of Summerside, Consolidated Credit Union Ltd., and Phillips Feed Service.
Inductee photos, condensed bios
Kay Atkinson
Kay Atkinson has been a dedicated curling official beginning in 1996. Since then, she had officiated at all levels of curling competition – Provincial, Canadian and World curling events. Her experience and expertise as an official are well recognized by Curl PEI, Curling Canada, and the World Curling Federation, filling the roles of head official and chief umpire at many of their events. Having dedicated her time and energy over a twenty year span volunteering as an official for the sport of curling, Kay will be recognized as a Builder at the induction ceremony on October 24, 2016.
Peter MacDonald
Beginning in 1973, winning a provincial Junior Men’s Curling Championship and continuing on through to 2013, Peter MacDonald has made his mark as a competitive curler on PEI. As one of a talented curling family, many of his 17 provincial titles came while competing with family members as teammates. In all, he had ten appearances at the Brier, three at the Mixed, two at the Seniors, one Juniors appearance, and one at the Canada Games. His extensive volunteer activities over many years supporting curling, and his ongoing corporate sponsorship, together with his significant achievements on the ice will be recognized on October 24 as he is inducted into the PEI Curling Hall of Fame as a Curler/Builder.
Rod MacDonald

Rod MacDonald began curling in 1974 and in 1978 won his first of seven PEI Men’s Curling Championships. A member of a very talented curling family, Rod has amassed an impressive curling record, including ten appearances at the Canadian Men’s Curling Championship (seven as a player, two as fifth, one as coach), three Provincial Mixed and four Provincial Senior Men’s curling titles.
Rod and his family are long time generous supporters of curling on Prince Edward Island, through their corporate sponsorship of events involving the Silver Fox Curling and Yacht Community Complex, including sponsoring their closing spiel for more than 30 years. They are also valued sponsors of Curl PEI and the PEI Curling Hall of Fame since its inception. Rod will be inducted into the Curling Hall of Fame as a Curler/Builder.
Lou Nowlan
Lou Nowlan has achieved his main curling success as a competitive senior curler. Since 1995, Lou Nowlan has won three PEI Senior Men’s Curling Championships, seven PEI Legion Curling Championships, two Royal Canadian Legion Dominion Curling Championships, 11 Provincial Masters championships, and three Maritime Masters championships. He will be inducted into the Hall of Fame as a Curler.
Inductee Full Bios
Kay Atkinson
Kay Atkinson has been a dedicated curling official, beginning in 1996 when she took the Level 1 and Level 2 Technical course for officiating, at the Charlottetown Curling Club. She completed her Level 1 certification in 1998 after working six games as an on-ice observer or timer under the supervision of a Level 3 (or higher) official. She received Level 2 certification after doing 6 games as an umpire or timer under supervision in 2000. She received Level 3 in 2001 and Level 4 status in 2007.
In 1996, Kay worked at the Canadian Mixed Championship, held at the Charlottetown Curling Club, mostly as a game observer, charting the stones in play.
In 1999, Kay volunteered to work at the Canadian Women’s Curling Championship, held at the Charlottetown Civic Centre, again mainly as an on-ice observer.
In 2001, the President of the PEI Curling Association asked Kay to take on the role of Head Official for PEI. She was responsible for officiating the five main provincial events: Men’s, Women’s, Juniors, Seniors and Mixed. This required her to attend all games and be responsible for ensuring rules were followed and things ran well. She carried out this responsibility for the next four years. Prior to the events, she taught timing courses at each club.
Kay also taught officiating courses, at first with Marilyn Sutherland, who was the Master Course Conductor, then later, on her own. She also supervised those who took the courses to become certified according to Canadian Curling Association standards.
In 2002, Kay was at the Canadian Juniors Curling Championship in Summerside as an umpire, policing hog line violations, doing measures and ensuring that the rules were followed.
At the Canadian Men’s Curling Championship in Halifax in 2003, Kay filled the role of a game umpire, including running practices and doing measures.
During the national Special Olympics curling championship at the Charlottetown Curling Club in 2004, Kay was the Head Official.
In 2005, she worked at the Canadian Juniors Championship in Fredericton New Brunswick, as an umpire.
Kay took a year off from Curl PEI as head official in 2006, but was asked to return in 2007, and continues to the present day. For three years she has been the Chair of the Umpires Committee for Curl PEI, keeping umpires current on new rules and regulations, assigning umpires to events and ensuring their roles are fulfilled.
She was an umpire at the Canadian Men’s Curling Championship in Calgary in 2009, the sole umpire for the Canadian Firefighters in Charlottetown in 2009, and umpired at the Canadian Seniors Curling Championship in Summerside in 2009.
In 2010, Kay served on the committee for the Dominion Curling Club Championships as a representative for the Charlottetown Curling Club but also officiated one of the three daily draws, either at Charlottetown or in Cornwall.
The Canadian Curling Association (CCA) appointed Kay as Chief Umpire for the Scotties Tournament of Hearts Canadian Women’s Curling Championship held in Charlottetown in 2011. An unusual step, as it is rare for a local person to be selected to supervise all officials. She accepted the challenge and successfully carried out the duties which included scheduling of umpires, holding meetings with the players and volunteers, liaising with the CCA, and preparing necessary paperwork and reports.
In 2013, Kay was Chief Umpire for the Canadian Seniors Curling Championship event held in Summerside, and she was also a game umpire at the World Mixed Doubles in Fredericton in 2013.
Kay was a game umpire at the Women’s World Curling Championship in Saint John, New Brunswick in 2014 as well as the Deputy Chief Umpire for the Canadian Juniors Curling Championship in Liverpool, NS. the same year.
In 2015, she was an umpire at the Canadian Juniors Curling Championship in Corner Brook, NL. and, in 2016, at the Canadian Seniors Curling Championship in Digby, Nova Scotia, Kay was a game umpire.
Kay also volunteered at the 2012 and 2014 Players’ Championships in Summerside as an umpire and scorer, and at the Curl Atlantic bonspiels held at the University of Prince Edward Island. As well, she officiated at the Atlantic Under 18 championships.
She was President of the Charlottetown Curling Club twice, in 1996 and then again in 2009-2011, for a two year term.
Kay won the PEI Senior Women’s Curling Championship twice and went on to represent PEI in Thornhill Ontario in 1997 and in Lethbridge Alberta in 2003.
Having dedicated her time and energy over a twenty year span volunteering as an official for the sport of curling, it is fitting to recognize Kay’s dedication and hard work by inducting her into the PEI Curling Hall of Fame and Museum as a Builder.
Peter MacDonald
Peter started to curl in Summerside when he was 14 years old.
In 1973, he won the Prince Edward Island Junior Men’s (Schoolboy) Curling Championship, skipping his team of Terrance McTaggart at third, Terrance Tupper at second, and Phillip Hardy at lead.
In 1975, he won the Prince Edward Island Winter Games, playing third for the Bill Merklinger team, and went on to represent PEI at the Canada Winter Games in Lethbridge, Alberta.
Peter skipped his teams to three Prince Edward Island Mixed Curling Championships, keeping it all in the family each time. His first, in 1990, saw his sister Joanne Postma at third, brother Rod MacDonald at second, and at lead was his wife, Karen A. MacDonald.
In 1994, with his wife Karen at third, his brother Rod at second, and lead Karen E. MacDonald (Rod’s wife), they won the PEI Mixed Championship. Again curling with their wives, the brothers finished as runners-up in the 1995 Canadian Mixed Curling Championship in Sarnia and earned the Sport P.E.I. team-of-the-year award.
In 1999, with his sister Kathy O’Rourke at third, brother-in-law Mark O’Rourke at second, and at lead, his wife, Karen MacDonald, they represented PEI at the Canadian Mixed Curling Championship in Victoria, B.C. finishing runner-up for the second time.
Peter won five Prince Edward Island Men’s Curling Championships. His first was in 1976, playing second for skip Ken MacDonald, Keith MacEachern was at third, and lead Alan Ledgerwood rounded out the team.
His next provincial men’s win came in 1978, skipping his team of third Rod MacDonald, second Ron Casey, and Keith Wedge at lead. They were the first Summerside team in 30 years to win the provincial men’s title.
Also in 1978, Peter won the Prince Edward Island 8 Year and Under Men’s Curling Championship with his same team of third Rod MacDonald second Ron Casey, and lead Keith Wedge.
In 1981, he again won the provincial men’s title, with Robert Carruthers at third, Alexander Stewart at second, and Rod MacDonald at lead.
Fifteen years later, in 1996, came his next win as a skip, with Grant Somers at third, John Postma at second, and Rod MacDonald at lead. This team would finish fourth at the Brier.
His last PEI Men’s Curling Championship win was in 2001, with Peter Gallant at third, Mark O’Rourke at second, and Mark Butler at lead.
Peter also stepped in as the fifth player for the winning PEI Provincial men’s team five times. He was selected as the fifth player for brother Rod competing at the Canadian Curling Championship in 2005, 2009, and 2010. Also, he was selected as fifth player for Robert Campbell in 1991 and 1993.
He won the Prince Edward Island Senior Men’s Curling Championship twice. In 2010, Peter played second for his brother Rod with third Peter Gallant, and lead Doug MacGregor.
He won the Senior Men’s title again in 2013, playing lead for brother Rod MacDonald. Playing third was John Likely, and second was Mark O’Rourke.
At the Canadian Seniors event in Summerside, the hometown of the MacDonald brothers, they finished round-robin play tied for third at 8-3 (won-lost), before losing a tiebreaker. Peter was chosen as a first-team all-star lead.
Peter has given back to his sport of curling in a variety of capacities.
He served as secretary-treasurer and auditor of the PEI Curling Association and as a director of the Summerside Curling Club, the Charlottetown Curling Club and the Summerside Silver Fox Curling & Yacht Club Management Board.
Peter was a Director of the Charlottetown 1999 and 2011 Scott Tournament of Hearts committees, responsible for Accreditation. He also was a Sports Director of the Canada Winter Games Committee in 1991, responsible for Junior Men’s curling.
Peter was Finance Chair for the 1987 Canadian Mixed Curling Championship at his home club, the Silver Fox Curling and Yacht Club. During the Championship, he was asked to coach the Peter Gallant team, who went on to win the event.
As a coach, Peter holds a level one coaching certificate and has coached at all levels of the game provincially and nationally.
Peter and his family are generous supporters of sport and, in particular, of the PEI Curling Association through their corporate sponsorship of various events as well as being a valued sponsor of the PEI Curling Hall of Fame since its inception. He is also currently a co-owner, director and Past President of the Charlottetown Islanders Quebec Major Junior Hockey League franchise.
Peter is a Director of the Canadian Automobile Dealers Association, serving as Secretary-Treasurer, and Vice President. He is slated to become chairman of the national organization in 2018. As well, he has served as President of the Ford Dealers of Canada, the Greater Summerside Chamber of Commerce, and was a division chairman of the United Way.
In all, Peter has had ten appearances at the Brier, three at the Mixed, 2 Seniors, one Juniors and one trip to the Canada Games. Together with his ongoing support of curling in volunteer positions, Peter has shown significant achievements in curling, and is a most worthy inductee into the PEI Curling Hall of Fame and Museum as a Curler/Builder.
Roderick (Rod) MacDonald
Rod MacDonald began curling in 1974, and in 1978 won the Prince Edward Island 8 Year and Under Men’s Curling Championship, playing third for his brother Peter with second Ron Casey, and lead Keith Wedge. With the same team, Rod won his first of seven PEI Men’s Curling Championships, in 1978 — the first Summerside team in 30 years to win the provincial men’s title.
His second purple heart was won in 1981 playing lead, again with Peter skipping the team, along with with Robert Carruthers at third and Alexander Stewart at second. In 1996, Rod achieved his third PEI Men’s Curling Championship title, with Peter skipping, Grant Somers at third, John Postma at second, and Rod at lead.
Moving up to skip his own team, Rod also saw success. In 2005, his fourth PEI Men’s Curling Championship came with third Kevin Champion, second Phillip Gorveatt, and lead Mike Dillon. The same team repeated the win in 2006.
In 2009, he won the provincial men’s title with Kevin Champion at third, second Andrew Robinson, and lead Mark O’Rourke. The next year, 2010, they repeated with the same team. Also in 2009, Rod spared for Quebec’s Mike Carson at the Canadian Seniors Curling Championship in Summerside, playing second stone for nine games.
Also in 2010, joining up again with brother Peter, he won the Prince Edward Island Senior Men’s Curling Championship. Peter skipped the team with third Peter Gallant, Rod at second, and lead Doug MacGregor.
Rod again won the PEI Senior Men’s Championship in 2013, skipping his team of third John Likely, second Mark O’Rourke and his brother Peter at lead. At the Canadian Seniors event in Summerside, the hometown of the MacDonald brothers, they finished round-robin play tied for third at 8-3 (won-lost), before losing a tiebreaker. The Rod MacDonald rink was named Curl PEI team of the year for the 2012-13 season. As well, Rod also took home Curl PEI’s senior male athlete of the year title.
In 2015, Rod won the PEI Senior Men’s Curling title and represented PEI at the national event in Edmonton with third Kevin Champion, second Blair Weeks and lead Mark Victor.
In 2016, Rod gained another PEI Senior Men’s Curling Championship title, winning with Kevin Champion at third, and Mark O’Rourke and Mark Butler as the front end, going on to compete at the national event in Digby, Nova Scotia.
Rod was selected as a fifth player to compete at the Brier twice – for Mike Gaudet in 2004 and Peter Gallant in 2007.
Rod holds a Level 2 in coaching. In 2008, Rod coached Peter Gallant’s team at the Canadian Men’s Curling Championship in Winnipeg. He also coached the Krista McLellan team in 2001 at the Atlantic Canada 17 and Under Women’s Championship in Corner Brook NL, where they won gold.
Rod won his first Prince Edward Island Mixed Curling Championship in 1990, playing second, with his brother Peter skipping, sister Joanne Postma at third, and lead Karen A. MacDonald (Peter’s wife).
Rod won the PEI Mixed again, at second, in 1994, with skip Peter, Peter’s wife, Karen, at third, and lead Karen E. MacDonald (Rod’s wife). The team finished as runner-up in the 1994 Canadian Mixed Curling Championship in Sarnia and earned the Sport PEI Team of the Year award.
Nineteen years later, in 2013, Rod won the PEI Mixed Curling Championship for the third time, this time as a skip, but still keeping it all in the family, with sister Kathy O’Rourke at third, second – brother-in-law Mark O’Rourke, and lead, wife Karen E. MacDonald. They represented PEI at the national event in Ottawa.
As a dedicated volunteer, Rod has served numerous years with the Prince Edward Island Curling Association and also with the Silver Fox Executive and Management Board. He also was a volunteer at the 1991 Canada Winter Games.
Rod and his family are long time generous supporters of curling on Prince Edward Island, through their corporate sponsorship of events involving the Silver Fox Curling and Yacht Club, including sponsoring their closing spiel for more than 30 years. They are also valued sponsors of Curl PEI and the PEI Curling Hall of Fame since its inception.
Rod has served as a director with the PEI Automobile Dealers Association and his company, D. Alex MacDonald, is a title sponsor for the local Jr. “A” hockey team.
Rod has an impressive curling record including ten appearances at the Canadian Men’s Curling Championship (seven as a player, two as fifth, one as coach), three provincial mixed and four provincial senior men’s curling titles and exhibits dedication to the sport of curling as a volunteer and sponsor. He is being inducted into the Hall of Fame and Museum as a Curler/Builder.
Lou Nowlan
In 1989, Lou skipped his team of Fred Hiscock, Don Despin, and Ev Ward to a victory in the Atlantic Forces Curling Championship, representing CFB Summerside. They went on the play in the Canadian Forces Nationals in Lahr, Germany.
In 1997, Lou won his first of three PEI Senior Men’s Curling Championships, playing second with skip Wayne Gardiner, third Fred Hiscock and lead Raymond Thomson. His second title came in 1999, skipping his team of third Fred Hiscock, second Wayne Gardiner and lead Raymond Thomson.
He won again in 2014, playing third for skip Ted MacFadyen, with Pat Aylward at second and Earle Proude at lead.
Lou saw great success competing in the Provincial Legion Curling Championships. He was on the winning Provincial Legion Team seven times, and went on to win the Royal Canadian Legion Dominion Curling Championship twice.
In 1995, Lou skipped his team of third Fred Hiscock, second Ken Praught and lead Arnie Kaland to the first of the seven provincial Legion titles. He repeated the win in 1996 with the same team, going on to win the Royal Canadian Legion Dominion Curling Championship that year.
For three consecutive years – in 2003, 2004, and 2005, with Mel Bernard as skip, Lou won the provincial Legion curling title, playing third with Doug Currie at second and Wayne Gardiner at lead. In 2004, they went on to win the Royal Canadian Legion Dominion Curling Championship.
In 2013, playing second, Lou was again in the winner’s circle, winning the PEI Legion Curling Championship with skip Mel Bernard, third Blair Jay and Earle Proude at lead position. His last provincial Legion title came in 2015 playing third for skip Mel Bernard with second Blair Jay and lead Earle Proude.
Lou won eleven provincial Masters titles. The first five of these wins came in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007, skipping his same team of third Doug Currie second Wayne Gardiner and lead Raymond Thomson. An interesting note is that they never lost a game on their way to their provincial titles during this five year period. In 2004, 2006 and 2007, they also went on to win the Maritime Masters Championships.
In 2011, Lou was back again at second, winning the PEI Masters Championship with skip Mel Bernard, third Ted MacFadyen and lead Earle Proude. They repeated the win with the same team in 2012.
In 2013, with Blair Jay replacing Ted MacFadyen at third, Lou was again the Masters winner with skip Mel Bernard and lead Earle Proude.
Playing third for skip Ted MacFadyen, with Earle Proude at second and Alan Montgomery at lead, their ninth Provincial Masters was clinched in 2014. With Bill Hope filling in for skip Ted MacFadyen, Lou, and the front end of Earle and Alan went on to win the 2014 Maritime Masters Championship.
In 2015, Lou won yet another Masters, with skip Mel Bernard, second Earle Proude and lead Alan Montgomery. Ted MacFadyen skipped their team of third Lou Nowlan, second Earle Proude and lead Alan Montgomery to their eleventh Provincial Masters Curling Championship title in 2016.
Lou served as the Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Curling Club representative to the Prince Edward Island Curling Association for three years 1985, ’86 and ’87. He was the CFB club Vice President in 1988 and President in 1989 and 1990.
Lou served four seasons – 1994-1995 through 1997-1998 – on the Curling Executive of the Silver Fox Curling and Yacht Club, including one year as Vice President and one year as President. He also served four seasons on the Silver Fox Board of Directors from 1998-1999 to 2001-2002.
He spent several years on the ice committee at the Silver Fox for both provincial and national competitions, including Seniors and Juniors curling, as well as for the Grand Slam of Curling event held at Credit Union Place.
Since 1995, Lou Nowlan has achieved three PEI Seniors Curling Championships, seven PEI Legion Curling Championships, two Royal Canadian Legion Dominion Curling Championships, 11 Provincial Masters championships, and three Maritime Masters. He is being inducted into the Hall of Fame and Museum in the Curler category.
The 10th annual induction ceremony for the PEI Curling Hall of Fame and Museum was held last evening at the Silver Fox Curling and Yacht Community Complex in Summerside, with four new members – Kay Atkinson, Peter MacDonald, Rod MacDonald, and Lou Nowlan, inducted. Here is a photo album from the event. Click an image to view a larger version. Use arrows to go ahead and back.
The inaugural Canadian Under 18 Curling Championships, for male and female curlers age 17 and under as of June 30, 2016, is open to curlers from all 14 Member Associations, and will be co-hosted by Curl Moncton and the Superior Propane Centre, from April 18-22, 2017. As this is now a Canadian championship, a Curling Canada Participation Fee ($7.50 per curler) will now apply for all participants in the PEI provincial playdowns.
The PEI Under 18 Championships will take place February 24-28 2017 at the Crapaud Community Curling Club, with entry deadline of February 3, and entry fee of $125 per team plus $7.50 per player for the Participation Fees.
The certification for U18 Coaches will now be a minimum of Competition Coach (Introduction), requiring the Making Ethical Decisions workshop and the Competition Coach – Introduction workshop (evaluations are not required).
Winners of the Provincial U18 Championships attend the Canadian U18 Championships at their own expense.
At the 2016 Curling Canada Annual General Meeting, the age eligibility for the Canadian Senior Men’s and Women’s Curling Championships was changed, and will be in effect beginning with the 2017 Canadian Seniors.
The eligibility has changed from:
- 50 years of age and older as of and including December 31st of the prior year to the Canadian Senior Championships
to:
- 50 years of age and older as of and including June 30th of the year prior to the Canadian Senior Championships
This means that athletes eligible for the 2017 Canadian Seniors will have to have been born on or before June 30, 1966.
The 2017 Everest Canadian Senior Men’s and Women’s Curling Championships will take place in Fredericton NB from March 18 to 25, and will be played at two facilities: the Capital Winter Club and Willie O’Ree Place, with the men’s and women’s finals both scheduled for the latter.
1st Annual Cody Dixon Memorial Bonspiel January 6-8, 2017 $125/team – guaranteed 3 games Curlers ages 16+ Register with Larry at the Montague Curling Club – 902-838-2513 Live entertainment Saturday evening Ages 19+ – $5 admission at the door for … Continue reading
PEI’s Robyn MacPhee team made it to the final this afternoon at the 18 team, $8800 total purse Lady Monctonian cashspiel at Curl Moncton, but had to settle for the runner-up spot, losing to the Jill Brothers rink from Halifax, … Continue reading
The Robyn MacPhee rink from Charlottetown edged the Mary Mattatall squad from Halifax 4-3 this morning in quarter-final play to advance to the noon semi-final round at the $8800 total purse Lady Monctonian cashspiel at Curl Moncton. They’re playing the … Continue reading
Two Island rinks are playing in the 9 am Quarter-Finals at the 18 team, $8,800 total purse, Lady Monctonian Invitational Spiel at Curl Moncton. The Robyn MacPhee team is taking on the Mary Mattatall rink from Halifax, while the Veronica … Continue reading
Due to a slight delay with icemaking, the Curling School originally scheduled for Oct. 25-27 at the Charlottetown Curling Complex has been postponed. We’ll let you know the new dates and times when they are confirmed. (Photo by Larry Richards) Ice … Continue reading
Curl Atlantic, the regional sport of curling association created through the assistance of Curling Canada and all four Atlantic provinces Member Associations, with a mission to “create, enhance and support curling programs and services offered throughout Atlantic Canada from development to … Continue reading
The Under 16 Junior Development League, sponsored by Wendy’s Restaurants, is back for its second season on selected Saturday mornings at the Cornwall Curling Club. There are 9 teams registered for the 2016-2017 league. The draw dates are: Oct 22, … Continue reading
Sport PEI has recently teamed up with Respect Group Inc. to provide access to their Respect in Sport program. Sport PEI believes in being proactive in ensuring sport in our province is safe and welcoming for all participants. Respect in … Continue reading
Connecting Athletes… This event’s purpose is to host athletes from across the province in different sports, joining together for learning and testing in an environment with other athletes in similar situations, those looking to go to the next level, be … Continue reading
The Prince Edward Island Curling Hall of Fame and Museum is set to host its tenth annual induction ceremony on Monday October 24, 2016 at the Silver Fox Curling & Yacht Community Complex in Summerside, PEI. Four inductees are being … Continue reading
A Competition Coach – Introduction workshop will be held on PEI Nov. 26-27, from 9am-5pm at the Montague Curling Rink. Registration deadline is Nov. 18, and registration fee is $135. To register contact Amy Duncan ([email protected] or 902-368-4208) Competition Coach – … Continue reading
The P.E.I. Mutual Insurance Company P.E.I. Sports Hall of Fame inductions will take place Nov. 12 at Credit Union Place in Summerside. Entering the Hall will be Thane Campbell (curling builder), Ian (Tex) MacDonald (softball/football), Bill Purcell (hockey) and the … Continue reading
The Cornwall Curling Club is holding Drop-in Curling on Friday Oct 28, with curling beginning at 7:00 pm (be there by 6:45). Since it’s just before Hallowe’en, curlers are encouraged to dress up — there will be a prize for the … Continue reading
The Crapaud Community Curling Club is holding their Early Registration and their Annual General Meeting on October 20th. Early Registration begins at 6:30pm and the meeting starts at 7:30pm. Those who pay their dues that night will receive ten percent … Continue reading
The Silver Fox Curling and Yacht Entertainment Complex in Summerside is holding FREE Try Curling sessions at the following dates and times: Thursday November 3rd 3-5pm (8 years +) Friday November 4th 3-5pm (8 years +) Friday November 4th 7-9pm … Continue reading
The 33rd Annual Montague Curling Rink Curl for Cancer goes Nov. 18, beginning at 6:30 pm, and continues until 6 pm on the 19th. There will be Curling Draws, Cake Auction, Bake sale, Silent Auction, 50/50, Draw to the Button … Continue reading
The Curl PEI Annual General Meeting was held this evening in Charlottetown. The following are the Curl PEI Executive members for the 2016-2017 season: President – Andrew Robinson 1st Vice President – Sandy Matheson 2nd Vice President – Rod MacDonald … Continue reading
The Lakeshore Curling Club in Lower Sackville NS is holding its 1st Annual Stick Curling Cashspiel on Nov. 18-19. If sufficient entries, there will be separate Men’s and Women’s pools. Friday 8:30 – 4:00 Lunch included Saturday- play will resume … Continue reading
The Cornwall Curling Club’s fourth annual Mixed Doubles Cashspiel takes place Saturday November 5, from 8:30am to 5 pm. Curlers from all PEI clubs are welcome. Last year’s winners were the Junior team of Lauren Lenentine and Alex MacFadyen. Cost: $40 per … Continue reading
Curl PEI has received a new grant that will help bring the sport into more Island schools this winter. The organization has been awarded $4,775 from the Canada Post Community Foundation, to be used to bring the Rocks & Rings … Continue reading
The PEI Travelers Curling Club champions, the Dennis Watts team from the Charlottetown Curling Complex, and the Sharon Horne rink from the Western Community Curling Club in Alberton will be heading west to the Kelowna Curling Club next month to … Continue reading
The 2017 Canadian Mixed Curling Championships take place November 13-19 at the Mariners Centre in Yarmouth Nova Scotia. The Cornwall and Crapaud team of skip Veronica Smith, third Tyler Smith, second Sabrina Smith, and lead Dylan Lowery, who won the … Continue reading
This is a reminder that the Curl PEI Annual General Meeting will take place at 7pm on Thursday October 13, 2016 at the House of Sport (the Sport PEI building at 40 Enman Cres. in Charlottetown, Room 212. Member clubs wishing … Continue reading
The Cornwall Curling Club plans to to hold the Saturday morning U16 junior development league again this season. This league is open to curlers from all clubs, and is intended for curlers aged 11-15. Consideration may be given to curlers outside … Continue reading
The first curlers of the season hit the ice this morning at the Cornwall Curling Club, as the 2016-2017 curling season gets underway on PEI. Cornwall is having an Open House, New Members Registration (all ages), and Free, No-Obligation adult curling school, … Continue reading
(by Jonathan Brazeau) Click to read at Grand Slam website. TORONTO — Team Gushue seemed to be channelling the Toronto Blue Jays this weekend. Much like the Blue Jays in the ALDS, the St. John’s team completed a perfect sweep, … Continue reading
(by Jason Malloy) Ryan Giddens won’t be competing in the Travelers Curling Club Championship for four years after throwing four rocks at the Tim Hortons Brier for Team P.E.I. He knew it was a possibility when he signed his papers … Continue reading
The 7th Annual Coors Banquet Senior’s & Master’s Cashspiel takes place January 27-29, 2017 at the Lakeshore Curling Club in Lower Sackville NS Guaranteed 3 games Open to both Women’s and Men’s teams Separate Seniors, Masters and Womens Sections (Pending … Continue reading
Curl PEI has received $4,775 from the Canada Post Community Foundation to help bring the Egg Farmers’ Rocks & Rings, presented by Curling Canada program to many Island elementary schools, and the Curling 101 program to Island curling facilities. . … Continue reading
Curling is getting underway at several PEI curling facilities. The Cornwall Curling Club and the Silver Fox Curling & Yacht Community Complex have scheduled FREE Learn to Curl sessions. Cornwall Curling Club Open House, free Adult Curling School, and new members … Continue reading
Curl PEI is looking to create a list of all teams currently training with the 2019 Canada Winter Games as a goal. There will be a number of opportunities for athletes and coaches coming up over this season and we … Continue reading
Synergy Fitness and Nutrition is offering an In-Season Curling Training and Nutrition Program for the fall and winter. This program is open to curlers of all ages and the workouts will be designed for you with the sport of curling in … Continue reading
Spud Isle Junior Camp Skills Development & High Performance JUNIOR CURLING CAMP 29-30 October 2016 On 29-30 October 2016 a Junior Skills Development for junior girl’s and boy’s teams and individuals for novice to intermediate level curlers will be held … Continue reading
The Prince Edward Island Curling Hall of Fame and Museum is set to host its tenth annual induction ceremony on Monday October 24, 2016 at the Silver Fox Curling & Yacht Community Complex in Summerside, PEI. Four inductees are being … Continue reading
For those looking for coaching workshops, Curl PEI does not currently have any scheduled for the fall. However, there will be an NCCP Competition Coach – Introduction Workshop at Curl Moncton’s Centre for Curling Excellence, October 28-30, 2016. This workshop will … Continue reading
The Montague Curling Rink is looking to hire a student curling coach. Student Coach Job Description Job Title: Student Junior Curling Coach Reporting to: Junior Curling Coordinator and Club Manager Job Purpose: To teach junior curlers basic curling skills and … Continue reading

















