1999 Brier
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SLAM! Curling
1999 BRIER
ON THE ROCKS
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Home sweet home?
History has not been kind whenever a home-town team plays in its hometown Brier.
So far, Edmonton teams have been 1-1 when the event has been held here. Matt Baldwin won it all in 1954.
Pat Ryan found it too much to handle in 1987, coming in with great expectations and leaving with a 6-5 record. The bitter home-town experience still sits as one of Ryan's worst curling memories.
Ken Hunka has been to his share of Briers. He even acted as Ryan's fifth man at the 1988 Worlds in Lausanne, Switzerland.
He won't be entirely dazzled by the Brier scene because he's been part of the scenery many times.
On the ice, though, it's a different story.
"I'm the rookie,'' Hunka said with a laugh. "A 48-year-old rookie. It's going to be somewhat of a learning experience compared to what the rest of the guys have been through.''
There hasn't been much rest for him since he won the provincial title nearly three weeks ago. The phones are starting to ring off the hook again.
He's hearing from people he hadn't heard from for 20 years. There was a bit of a lull. Then, it started again.
"It's picked up again this week,'' said Hunka. "But it's been enjoyable taking it all in.''
The fact he's going to be wearing Alberta colours for the first time in his life finally sank in Sunday.
"I got up at about quarter after eight and by 8:30, when the Scotts final was on, I got that feeling,'' said Hunka.
People talk to him. During the Brier, everybody will want a piece of him. Everybody will figure they're the only ones who are asking for a few minutes with him.
BURNIN' LOVE BANNER!
He's already been told there's going to be a four-foot by eight-foot Hunka Hunka Burnin' Love banner hanging from a position on one of the Skyreach skyboxes.
Inside, he may finally scream 'Leave me alone.' He'll never show it. He knows a hometown Brier makes it harder to make himself invisible. He knows he's going to feel it.
"I expect that,'' Hunka said. "Hopefully, we can deal with it. The big thing is make sure we get enough rest and stuff like that. It's a long week. And, it's going to be a long week.''
He's this Brier's oldest skip of this Brier's youngest team. There's no way he wants to blow this deal, this final chance of a lifetime.
The kids in the supporting cast will make sure Hunka makes the most of this week, his last-chance spiel. Their chances of getting back are better than his.
"It's probably pretty true,'' said Hunka. "Just to get there once is a monumental task. Age definitely isn't on my side.
'`I told Blake and Brent and Wade to enjoy it as much as they can because even though they're young, there's no guarantee they'll ever be back here again.''
Hunka is not unlike a lot of players like Rich Moffat of Ontario or Gerald Shymko of Saskatchewan. They're 40ish, have had some success on the cashspiel circuit and have finally broken down the doors to their dreams.
It won't be all business.
"This compares to the birth of my two kids,'' said Hunka, whose 28-year-old daughter Tracy and 22-year-old son Kris are arriving from Victoria to cheer on their dad.
"That was exciting, but this is right up there with it.''
He can't wait for it to start.
"I can't imagine what the opening ceremonies will be like,'' said Hunka, a great fan of the bagpipes. "It'll be pretty touching. I've been in the stands watching and I get choked up, so I can imagine what it will be on the ice.''
But even though it's his chance of a lifetime, you just know Hunka will remember to have a bit of fun along the way.
GET A FEW BREAKS
"It's going to be pretty stressful at times, but we've got to enjoy it, too,'' said Hunka. "Play well, get a few breaks, aim for the playoffs. Play for the weekend. If we can get to the playoffs, we'll take it from there.
"We know how to enjoy ourselves. We're pretty good that way. We leave what happens on the ice, on the ice. Maybe we'll talk about it for five or 10 minutes after the game. After you're done, you leave it at that and have some fun.''
Hard to say who's going to have more fun. Ken Hunka? Or the fans who are going to come out and watch him live out his dream of a lifetime.