Inductee Hritzuk remembers ‘glorious’ end to world-title run

Surprise and an honour

Eugene Hritzuk will never forget the flag, the anthem, and that piece of New Zealand ice that provided his vantage point during a momentous day in 2009.

The local curler — a longtime skip who was announced Wednesday as an inductee into the Saskatoon Sports Hall of Fame — says the aftermath of his world senior curling championship that year occupies a perma- nent spot in his memory.

“I can still see that flag going up, and I can still hear the anthem today,” Hritzuk said following a Wednesday news conference where the newest inductee class was unveiled.

“I’ll tell you; there was nothing more glorious for me, in curling, than to stand up at a podium in New Zealand and watch the flag go up, with your national anthem being played. That blew me right off the ice. I’d never really thought about that or anticipated that. But when it was happening, it really got to me. It was the first time I realized that I’d sort of accomplished something.”

Hritzuk played at two Briers, including a notorious loss to Alberta’s Pat Ryan in the 1988 final, which saw a 7-5, 10th-end lead evaporate and turn into an 8-7 loss.

But things really took off after he hit 50. Hritzuk has represented Saskatchewan at six seniors and four masters Canadian championships, including a win over Russ Howard during the 2008 national final. He won the world crown the following year.

He won the masters Canadian title this past season and remains active on the competitive side of the sport, which prompted him to chuckle Wednesday.

“I always thought (halls of fame) are for people who lived out a successful career in whatever sport they were doing, or in some cases, they’ve passed on,” Hritzuk said.

“I’m planning on curling for another 10, 15 years. I’m going whoa — I’m not finished yet, boys! It was a bit of a surprise, and an honour for something I’ve enjoyed doing for so many years.

“All this (success) is hap- pening in my twilight years. Maybe they’re trying to get me before I do pass on.”

Hritzuk is one of three athletes going into the Hall. The others are Bobby Dawes, who won the 1944 Memorial Cup with the Oshawa Generals and the 1949 Stanley Cup with the Toronto Maple Leafs, and golfer Dana Kidd, the only Saskatchewan player to win the Canadian junior women’s title — something she accomplished in 1992.

Inducted builders are track and field official Toni Beerling, baseball umpire Bill Remenda, softball player, coach, manager and umpire Peter Sereda, and hockey and softball official Bill Woronuik.

Inducted teams include Marliese Miller’s 2003 world junior-championship curling squad, and the 2004-05 Saskatoon Contacts, who won the Telus Cup national midget AAA hockey championship.

The Saskatoon Baseball Council is the sports organization of the year.

The induction banquet takes place Nov. 1 at TCU Place.