CANADA’S BEST MEN’S CURLERS AIMING FOR VANCOUVER 2010 IN OTTAWA(Ottawa, December 5, 2007)

The Capital will host 48 premier men’s curling teams at the upcoming John Shea Insurance Canada Cup Qualifier.

The “JSI” is the tournament that sent Canada’s Olympic Gold Medal Skip, BRAD GUSHUE, on the road to represent Canada at the Torino Olympics. Gushue joins many past national and world champion men’s teams in Ottawa, December 12 to December 16, 2007 as the rinks attempt to win the event.

Joining Gushue are a host of western Canada’s strongest squads – John Morris (AB) (#1 on the money list with his Kevin Martin foursome); Kevin Koe (AB) #3 money earner; Jeff Stoughton (MB) #4 earner; Kerry Burtnyk (MB) #8. Between these men, they boast six national and world championships.

They join 19 other western Canada firebrand skips including the young new-comers and hard throwing Reid Carruthers (just over 20 years of age and already ranked #12) and Darren Moulding.
 
Eastern Canada sends Newfoundland’s Brad Gushue (#9 ranked) along with his mentor and fellow Torino champion, Russ Howard who plans to make some noise with his own team from New Brunswick. The popular fan favourite from Quebec, Guy Hemmings, will tantalize the crowd both on and off the ice.

Gatineau’s Jean-Michel Ménard, the 2006 national champion will be a threat as will a host of other Ontario, Quebec and Maritime teams. Only PEI is not represented.

What’s it all for? While the total cash purse is $70,000 with the winner earning $12,500, more is at stake.  The four semi-finalists get berths in next February’s Strauss Canada Cup of Curling. This tournament is one of the designated events that allows a winning team to directly compete in a Pre-Trials bonspiel, thereby getting closer to representing Canada in 2010.

The John Shea Insurance Canada Cup Qualifier is also one of the mandated events that give teams finishing in the money, sought after Canadian Team Ranking System points – another avenue to acquire an Olympic Trials berth.

The curling begins Wednesday December 12 at 2:45 at the Ottawa and Rideau Curling Clubs with action continuing all day and evening at both venues until championship Sunday. The finals take place Sunday December 16 at 630p.m. at the Rideau facility.

Event passes are available at the doors for $40 while day passes cost $15 on weekdays, $15 on Saturday and $20 on Sunday. The passes are good for entrance to both venues.

Visit http://seasonofchampions.ca//2007ccqm/index.asp for more information and live scoring.

The Rideau Curling Club – 715 Cooper Street (corner of Percy and Cooper)
613 232-9665
The Ottawa Curling Club – 440 O’Connor Street (corner of O’Connor and Catherine) 613 234-4119.

For information:

Joe Pavia
joep@superex.com
613.355.9508

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