KIDBY, HEBERT LEAD WAY FOR CURLING FAMILIES
REGINA — D.J. Kidby and Ben Hebert are divided by a provincial border, but united by curling.
The cousins are leads for their respective provincial men’s curling champions. Kidby shared in the Saskatchewan men’s championship with Regina’s Brock Virtue, Braeden Moskowy and Chris Schille. Hebert is in his seventh year as a lead with Kevin Martin, the Alberta men’s champion. Both teams open play on Saturday in Edmonton at the Brier.
The 2013 Canadian men’s championship is the first time that members of Kidby and Hebert clans have curled at the same Brier. The occasion has been marked by the creation of KidBert shirts, combining the Saskatchewan and Alberta crests. Joey Shaw, a cousin on the Kidby side of the family tree, created 10 shirts that have unified the families.
“We have a big family and we both have a ton of people coming from Regina,’’ said Hebert, who shared in Saskatchewan men’s titles in 2005 and 2006 with Pat Simmons before moving to Martin’s team in 2007. “They don’t want to show any favouritism. I’m sure that D.J.’s brothers and sisters are cheering for him, the same as mine are cheering for me. I’m sure that both sides will be cheering for both of us to do well.’’
Having that support makes the Brier even more special for Kidby.
“It’s always a dream to go to the Brier,’’ Kidby said. “To actually have Ben there, the whole family is pumped about it. They will all come down and it will be a pretty good crew there too.’’
Hebert expects them all to get along.
“There is no rivalry because I’ve curled with my cousins for most of my life,’’ said Hebert, 29. “When we play their team, it will be just like playing any other team. We’re going to try to kick their butts like we do with any other team. It won’t change what we’re like off the ice either. We’re still super good buddies.’’
Dave Kidby Sr. was the patriarch of the Kidby curling clan. He was also Ben’s and D.J.’s grandfather. Dave Kidby Sr. died on March 30, 2009, at the age of 73.
“He would be the most pumped out of anyone that two of his grandchildren are in the Brier,’’ said D.J. Kidby, 25. “He always came to watch juniors and provincials stuff. He would tell me then that Ben is at the Brier now, but we’ll get there if we keep it going. He was probably the most supportive out there while we were growing up.’’
Hebert also remembers the support of his grandfather.
“He didn’t miss any of the Briers that I played in, so I knew that he would have been there for D.J.,’’ Hebert said. “I also know that he’s a happy camper now.’’