Kennedy, Hebert bring track record of Olympic success to Koe team

An ace in Kevin Koe’s pocket as his curling team prepares for the Winter Olympics is having a pair of teammates who have been there, won gold.

Third Marc Kennedy and lead Ben Hebert were Kevin Martin’s front end at the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver and Whistler, B.C., where they and third John Morris went 11-0 en route to the top of the podium.

Koe, Kennedy, second Brent Laing and Hebert will attempt to extend the country’s run of men’s curling gold in Pyeongchang, South Korea, in February.

The Brad Jacobs team out of Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., was victorious in Sochi, Russia, in 2014.

Koe intends to pick the brains of his third and lead on how to successfully navigate what is a sporting event like no other.

It’s been a whirlwind for the Calgary-based Koe team since they beat Winnipeg’s Mike McEwen to win the Roar of the Rings trials Dec. 10 in Ottawa.

“We haven’t had really much of a chance to talk as a team since we won,” Koe said. “But you know experience is usually pretty good, especially when they won in the past. I think it can only help.

“I’m sure we’ll sit down in the new year and chat about their past experience at the Olympics. What went well and what didn’t and what we can maybe use going forward to help us.”

One aspect Hebert expects to be different is the quality of the field.