Rick Lang had an awkward start with success. His first purple heart was won as third for Bill Tetley, but he had spared for Tom Todd and the uncertainty of who would go to the Brier hung over that evening's banquet. Rick did make the trip and their rink would win the 1975 Brier in Fredericton but fall short at the World Championships a few weeks later. The next season Rick was back on the open market. Eventually he teamed with Al Hackner and they found immediate success, reaching the 1980 Brier final before losing to Rick Folk. After a heartbreaking loss to Kerry Burtnyk the next season, Rick and Al, along with second Bob Nichol and lead Bruce Kennedy, finally won the Brier in 1982. In 1985, with the new front end of Ian Tetley and Pat Perroud, Rick and Al once again reached the Brier final and faced Pat Ryan from Alberta. Rick talks about the most famous shot in Brier history and shares stories from throughout their playing days. We cover the Olympic Trials of 1987, the transition to coaching and Rick explains how to react on an airplane when someone thinks you're a rock star.
Sunday, January 13, 2019
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