CURLING CLAN
Game is in Howard family’s DNA
As rocks crash and skips holler, you’ll see Howard, Howard and Howard taking care of their respective jobs this week in Humboldt.
Russ Howard, a Canadian curling household name, is coaching a Viterra Scotties team that includes daughter Ashley Howard at skip and niece Carly Howard at third.
Carly’s father is Glenn Howard — who, like brother Russ, is a pre-eminent Canadian curler. Glenn’s been known to dish out some advice from time to time, as well.
“I think we might get a little bit more recognition because of the name,” says Ashley, who plays out of Regina Highland and is also the executive director of Curlsask. “Fans ask which Howard is our dad; we definitely hear that a fair bit.
“At the same time, it’s the only thing we’ve ever known. We’re kind of used to it at this point, and having that knowledge in our family, and such a great resource all the time between Glenn and Russ ... it has to be more of an asset than a curse, I would say.”
The provincial women’s championship begins Tuesday in Humboldt and wraps up Sunday.
Howard’s team, which includes second Kaitlin Corbin and lead Ashley Williamson, went 3-5 at last year’s provincial with Kim Schneider at second instead of Corbin.
In 2016, Ashley played third for Jolene Campbell’s provincial-championship squad.
Glenn and Russ made their names out in Eastern Canada, but Ashley moved to Saskatchewan a few years ago after meeting the man who is now her fiancé.
When she decided to skip her own team, longtime curling coach Earle Morris advised her to make sure she found a really strong third.
“I sat, and thought, and opened my horizons to whoever that could be,” Ashley says. “All of a sudden, I thought, ‘Why not Carly?’ She’s in Ontario, I’d seen her play at university nationals, and figured we’d get along and be on the same page as far as intensity and commitment and strategy and all those things. I gave her call, said, ‘I’ve got a crazy idea; what do you think?’ “
Carly said yes. She still lives in Toronto and journeys to the team’s events, logging copious kilometres in her curling pursuit.
“She travels around, which is a huge commitment for her — the time, and the early-morning flights, and everything,” Ashley says. “But it would really mean a lot for the two of us to get to a Scotties together, and I think we’re both willing to do whatever it takes. In this case, it’s flying across the country all the time.”
Russ, meanwhile, coaches them when he can — flying from New Brunswick — and he’s there this week as they try to out-pace a nineteam field.
“Dad’s biggest asset is reading the ice, reading the rocks, reading the opponent,” Ashley says. “It really gives you a confident feeling going out on the ice; you almost feel like you have an advantage in every game, because of how he’s prepared us to go out and play. He helps bring up our intensity as well.”
She laughs.
“It’s definitely stressful for him, though.”
Howard has own special stressor, given her job as the executive director of Saskatchewan’s governing curling body. She’ll switch between hats through the week, she says — putting the time she needs into her own team, while saving some room for work duties that crop up.
“I expect to do some work and keep on things,” she says. “But I’m fortunate Amber (Holland) had the position before me, and curled at such a high level. The staff was trained to help out on Fridays or over weekends, and understanding which events are really important. They help with my emails and voice mails, and help hold things down at the office while I’m away. I’m really fortunate to have Amber pave that way for me.”
Holland is back at the Scotties this year, skipping a Regina Callie team.
Teams, in order of seeding, are skipped by Robyn Silvernagle (North Battleford Twin Rivers), Kristen Streifel (Regina Highland), defending champion Sherry Anderson (Saskatoon Nutana, with a new team), Holland, Penny Barker (Moose Jaw), Sherry Just (Saskatoon Nutana), Howard, Chantelle Eberle (Regina Highland) and Jessica Mitchell (Saskatoon Nutana).
“I’m super excited about the field,” Howard said. “We really have nine awesome teams, and nine teams that would do well at the Scotties. (Putting the) executive director hat on, that’s fantastic.
“I’m really, really looking forward to being part of it. That’s the fun, is when everybody’s playing well and great shots are being made, and you don’t know who’s going to win — that’s the fun of competing.”
Tuesday’s draws at the Humboldt Curling Club are 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Action wraps up with the championship final Sunday at 5 p.m.
The winner advances to the national Scotties Feb. 16-24 in Sydney, N.S.