The P.E.I. Curling Hall of Fame recently inducted five new members.
Induction ceremony held at new home in O’Leary
As a member of the Maple Leaf Curling Club from the time the sports facility opened in 1978, this year’s P.E.I. Curling Hall of Fame induction ceremony was a double honour for O’Leary’s Clair Sweet. His home club is now the permanent home for the Hall of Fame. Portraits of all Hall of Fame members are displayed in the club’s main entrance and at the top of the stairs.
“We’re pleased,” said Sweet, the club’s past president. “It’s going to add to our entry way. It’s a nice addition to our club as well as giving them a home for pictures at this time.”
Jerry Muzika, chairman of the P.E.I. Curling Hall of Fame since 2006, expressed hope that having the portraits of curlers permanently on display will help inspire others to curl. Prior to this year, the portraits were stored away for most of the year, and only put on display during special events.
Second member
Sweet is the second member of the Maple Leaf Curling Club to be named to the Hall of Fame. Sweet, Ernie Stavert, Derek MacEwen and Cliff Poirier were enshrined in the builder category, and Cornwall curler Susan McInnis joined in the “curler” category.
“I did lots of curling over the years,” acknowledged Sweet, who has served on his club’s executive for more than 25 years. “I wouldn’t be a standout like most of the people who were inducted on the curling side of things, but I certainly enjoyed the curling aspect of the sport over the years.”
Eight-time women’s champion
McInnis, who has curled on eight P.E.I. women’s curling championship teams, six provincial mixed championship teams and one senior women’s championship teams between 1989 and 2016, said she is truly honoured to be inducted.
“I truly love the sport, and I am so thankful for everything it has given me,” she told a who’s-who of P.E.I. curling.
“It was quite a journey,” she commented.
Internet age
MacEwen is credited with bringing the sport of curling into the Internet age, having built the website to post results from the 2000 Tankard at the Cornwall Curling Club. He’s been keeping curling fans updated on curling activities at the club and at provincial competitions across P.E.I. ever since. He said he hopes to continue doing it for years to come, noting that, being retired, he has time to commit to it.
He also edits information for the P.E.I. Curling Association, including the citations for the annual inductees of which, this year, he is one.
Listing some of the highlights he has observed in P.E.I. curling, he mentioned the success of the Suzanne Gaudet team’s world junior championship win and her continued success in women’s curling, and Erin Carmody and Kathy O’Rourke’s team placing second at the 2010 Canadian
women’s championship.
Long involvement
Stavert has been involved with curling for close to 60 years, having played on natural ice the year the Crapaud Curling Club opened and having been part of the committee that led to the opening of the Cornwall Curling Club. He pioneered stick curing in the province about 15 years ago, and has been part of its growth across P.E.I.
“I prefer it,” he declares. “Strange as it may seem, in many ways it’s more engaging than four-person curling, because you’re either delivering or skipping all the time so there’s really no down time.”
Having been involved in the sport for so long, Stavert estimates he has met all of the Hall of Fame members, and feels honoured to be included.
“It’s nice to be able to feel like you’ve made a contribution,” Stavert added.
Recognized official
Poirier is a long-time recreational curler, who has become one of the most recognized officials for the sport in Prince Edward Island.
“He has an extensive resumé – in a few words – he has done it all – and a lot of it – when it comes to officiating, umpiring and conducting courses, as well as organizing and running events,’” induction ceremony emcee Paul H. Schurman read.
He has been involved in 19 national events in Atlantic Canada since 1984.
“I love it,” Poirier said. “It does get challenging at times and, not only does it get challenging, we are really challenged at times.”
A highlight, he said, has been imparting the rules of the game to junior players and coaches heading to nationals. That includes curling etiquette.
“If you start them when they’re young, it usually follows through,” said Poirier.