1999 Brier
SLAM! Sports
SLAM! Curling
1999 BRIER
ON THE ROCKS
INTERACTIVE
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Stars on ice
Brier's best not all from the West, for a change
"When was that last time there was not an All-Star from Western Canada?'' he asked in all seriousness.
The correct answer is 1990. Three Ontario and one Northern Ontario.
It's the only other time it has happened.
Since the All-Star team became part of the Brier way back in 1965 (when Ray Turnbull was the All-Star lead), seven times all four spots have gone to western Canadian curlers. Twelve times three of the positions have been awarded to the West. Eight times a pair of Prairie and/or left coast curlers have won the honour. And six times there has been at least one.
But for some reason that didn't impress most of the people picked more than the honour of just being selected out of this incredible field.
Paul Flemming of Nova Scotia was selected as the All-Star skip.
It choked him up.
"I was almost in shock when I was told.
"What a thrill. There are so many good curlers in this Brier, so many more than on a normal year, that to be named to the All-Star team is extra special. I'll cherish this for a long time.''
Pierre Charette of Quebec was selected All-Star third with Chris Fulton of Ontario and Dale Ness of Quebec picked the All-Star second and lead respectively.
Skip, third, second and leads pick to the second team were Jeff Stoughton of, Manitoba, Bob Ursel of B.C., Rick Perron of New Brunswick and Neil Cursons of Saskatchewan.
Eight All-Star spots and the winners came from seven provinces.
"That says it, doesn't it?'' said Flemming. "It just shows how balanced the field was here this year. Everybody said it was going to be that way when we began and the curlers proved it.''
Hemmings, who was on the ice against Manitoba with his team only a few moments later, said being the only province with two players on the team - both on the first team - was great for curling in the province.
"That's not too bad for a Quebec team, eh?'' he said.
Charette, playing in his fourth Brier, was the only one of the eight who wasn't gee whiz about being picked to the position.
"This is not what I came here to win,'' he said and offered no other comment.
He was also the only one who didn't top the percentage charts at his position.
One other award went with the All-Star selections - the Ross Harstone Award - presented to the player chosen by the curlers for sportsmanship, observance of the rules, exemplary conduct and curling ability.
Saskatchewan skip Gerald Shymko was also an emotional winner.
"This really hits the heart,'' he said. "The fact that it was voted on by the players makes it very important to me. To win this in your first Brier... it just feels great. It's nice to be in this league.''