Episode 34 - John Aasand

John Aassand doesn't live in the past. In 1972 four young players from Grafton, North Dakota competed in their first mens playdowns.  From State to US Nationals and then to Germany, their magical run would eventually land them in the finals of the World Championship against Canada's Orest Meleschuk.  Johnny at second, his brother Frank at third,  lead Ray Morgan and skip Robert Labonte took a 9-7 lead into the 10th end.  After what was thought to be the final rock of the game, with players preparing to shake hands, it appeared USA had won.  In a dark twist, however, Labonte jumped in celebration, slipped on his landing and kicked a Canada stone.  Meleschuk was awarded two points and the game went to extra ends, with Canada taking the Silver Broom trophy.  John will share the story of what happened during that moment, and the repercussions for both teams in the years that followed.  You'll hear stories from the Hibbing bonspiel, Barry Fry and learn why the team John skipped to two USA finals in the mid-80's was like the Oakland Raiders of the 1970's.

 

You can watch clips from the 1972 World Championships and Bob's famous fall . After Canada failed to win the Worlds for the next 8 years, it became known as The Curse of Labonte.  Here's an article on John from 2008 and if you find yourself in Grafton, be sure to check out The Extra End Bar.

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Episode 33 - Kim Kelly

Kim Kelly understands what it takes to overcome adversity.  Her father in the armed forces, Kelly moved often and had to adapt to new people and surroundings every few years.  The local military curling club was always available to hone her skills and make new friends. After high school, Kelly returned to her birthplace of Halifax, Nova Scotia and eventually joined Nancy Delahunt, Mary-Anne Arsenault and Colleen Jones to form one of the most successful teams of all time.  From 1999 to 2004, Team Jones won 5 Scotties Tournament of Hearts and 2 World Championships, overcoming the challenges of being a maritime team who rarely traveled.  Kim recalls her early years, joining Colleen, and the obstacles they faced, including criticism of their style of play.  She'll take us through the struggles and triumphs during the early years, the eventual split and subsequent reunion in 2013.  They would again join forces to compete in Seniors a few years later, winning Canada in 2016 and the Womens World Senior Championship in spring of last year.   

 

For more on Team Jones you can check out Colleen's book, "Throwing Rocks at Houses: My Life In And Out Of Curling".  You can also watch the ceremony for their team induction into the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame in 2011.

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Episode 32 - Bob Cole

Bob Cole is more than the iconic play-by-play announcer for Hockey Night in Canada.  As a young broadcaster in St. John's, Newfoundland, Bob was introduced to curling and immediately became hooked.  Despite his late start to the sport, regular practice led to early success with a trip to the Canadian Mixed in 1965, only the second time it was contested.  Bob improved his game and eventually landed at skip, leading his team to the 1971 Brier in Quebec City.  Afterwards, he recruited a youngster originally hailing from Nova Scotia named Jack MacDuff.  He and Jack reached the Canadian Mixed but lost the provincial finals in 1973.  They split before Bob returned to the 1975 Brier in Fredericton, NB. Jack returned with his own team to Regina the following year, shocking everyone with the first ever Brier victory for Newfoundland. Bob takes us through those Brier experiences and shares his love for the game.  We discuss how great skips have the ability to control their nerves and Bob recalls a shot from decades ago that he'll never forget.

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Episode 31 - Marilyn Bodogh, Part 2

In Part 2 of my conversation with Marilyn Bodogh, we'll dive into the 1996 Scotties playoffs against Connie Laliberte and Cheryl Bernard. She explains how to deal with trash talk from Dordi Nordby and warns of the dangers from Chinese food. Marilyn shares her thoughts on Colleen Jones, the Olympic Trials, both Battles of the Sexes and reveals what to wear under your kilt when you are on the ice.

 

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Episode 30 - Marilyn Bodogh, Part 1

Marilyn Bodogh may have appeared brash, opinionated, outspoken or a little unfiltered.  But behind the newsworthy quotes and smiles for the camera was a competitive drive to rival any of her contemporaries. Learning the game in St. Catherines, Marilyn and her older sister Christine had early junior success at the Canada Winter Games in 1971.  In 1980 the sisters appeared in the Canadian Ladies Curling Association Championship (two years before Scott Paper took over sponsorship).  Marilyn eventually moved to skipping and in 1986 she led Christine, Kathy McEdwards and Jan Augustyn to victory at the Scott Tournament of Hearts in London, Ontario.  Gold would follow at the Worlds in Kelowna, but it would be another 10 years before Marilyn captured another Scotties, then teamed with Kim Gellard, Corie Beveridge and Jane Hooper Peroud.  In Part 1 we'll cover the early years, the major victories, and teach listeners how to curl in kilts.

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Episode 29 - Alfie Phillips

Alfie Phillips Jr. had a tough act to follow.  His father, Alf Sr., was an Olympian diver, a carnival showman and, despite taking up the game in his 40s, a provincial curling champion.  In 1956, Ontario was poised to win the Brier for the first time since 1939, but Billy Walsh from Manitoba made what became one of the greatest shots in Brier history.  Alfie joined up with his dad shortly after that loss, then later formed his own rink with John Ross, Ron "Moon" Manning and Keith Riley.  In 1967 Alfie did one better than his father, winning the Brier in Hull, Quebec.  The Phillips rink played a draw strategy that hadn't been seen before in Ontario, and one that left an impression on a another young member of the Parkway Curling Club, Paul Savage.  We cover the big wins and losses and the battles over prize money and what it took to win over the Ontario Curling Association and their efforts to keep curling an "amateur" sport.  Alfie shares the history of the Toronto Curling Mafia, tales of Hec Gervais, and gives us the definitive version of the famous bus story from the 1967 Scotch Cup in Perth, Scotland.

 

For more on Alfie Phillips, check out "The Brier" by Bob Weeks.  You can also read about his history with Conklin Shows. You can see the famous Billy Walsh shot against Alf Sr. at the 1956 Brier near the end of this video.  YouTube also has video from Alfie's win at the 1967 Brier.

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Episode 28 - Jim Ursel

Jim Ursel had one of the smoothest deliveries of his era.  He came a long way from the early days of knee sliding on a two sheet rink of natural ice in Glenella, Manitoba.  After moving to Winnipeg, Jim improved enough to win the 1954 Provincial School Boys Championship.  We discuss Jim's early days and his development as a player, eventually landing at the famous Strathcona Club.  He recalls teaming up with Norm Houk and playing in his first Brier in 1962.  We reflect on his move to Montreal, the many Quebec provincial victories and his Brier win in 1977.  Later, Jim returns to Winnipeg where he re-teamed with Norm and nearly won another Purple Heart with their Senior team.  Jim adds his perspective on fitness, coaching, psychology and thoughts on the modern game.

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