Kevin Martin Maintains Mystery In Off-Ice Life

11/03/2009 06:05

Through nearly 20 years on the national curling scene, here's what we know about Kevin Martin.

A talented curler, one of the best of all time.

Family man with a knockout wife (Shauna) and three kids (Karrick, 19, Kalycia, 16, and Mykaela, 7, with whom he spends most of his free time).

Businessman who built a successful curling and tennis supply store (Kevin Rocks-n-Racquets) in Edmonton and went into partnership with teammate Marc Kennedy on an M & M Meat Shops franchise.

And you know what? That's just about it.

Until Sunday afternoon, that is, when his lead, Ben Hebert, dropped this little nugget of information when asked about Martin's various theories about curling, and life in general.

"I've heard all his theories; it's a comedy show. I love 'em," said a grinning Hebert. "Nostradamus -- is that his name? He believes in that nonsense, big time."

Turns out, Hebert is on target. Martin first read of the prophecies of Nostradamus 20 years ago, and has come not only to put some faith in them, but also make decisions based in part on them.

"He's right a lot, in my opinion," said Martin of the controversial 16th-century figure, whose prophecies have been interpreted for centuries as foretelling various historic events. "I'm not a real book reader, but I watch any documentary on Nostradamus. It's very interesting to me.

"For somebody so long ago to be so close, and when it came to things like the stock market in 2000, and then he called for a rise for eight to nine years and then it would drop off again -- man, he's bang on."

Which is why Martin sold off his stock portfolio prior to the 2000 tech-sector collapse, started building it again a couple years later, then sold it off completely 18 months ago, escaping both market calamities.

Think about that for a moment: Martin is a guy who plans out his curling career in meticulous detail. He wants no possibility left un-accounted for. He makes demands of his teammates, both on and off the ice, like no other skip in the world. And it's paid off with three Brier titles, a world championship, an Olympic silver medal and more money than other curler has ever made on the cashspiel circuit.

And he's relying on a guy from the 16th century to make his financial decisions?

Well, let's give the man a little credit. If you think for a mo

More from the Edmonton Journal.

BRIER UPDATE:

Alberta's Kevin Martin thumped Sean Geall of B.C. 8-2 in six ends yesterday morning, before absolutely pummeling P.E.I.'s Rod MacDonald 11-4 in six ends in the afternoon, to improve his record to a Brier leading 7-0.

Martin plays Mike Jakubo of Northern Ontario in this afternoon's draw, before tangling with Manitoba's Jeff Stoughton, in what should be a tough game, tonight. Catch all of the Brier action at 8:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. on TSN and TSN-HD.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

Off the ice, I’ve always thought Kevin Martin was . . . well, a little “off.”