Park Returns To Brier Final For First Time Since 1995

15/03/2009 20:04

Edmonton curler plays third for Manitoba

Kevin Park waited 14 years to get another shot in the limelight.

Sunday night at the Pengrowth Saddledome, the man considered one of the all-time purest throwers of a curling rock will finally attempt to grab a brass ring that has eluded him since 1995.

The Edmonton native -- on temporary assignment to Manitoba in order to bolster Jeff Stoughton's run for a berth in the Tim Hortons Olympic Trials -- will line up at third for Stoughton's provincial champs in the Tim Hortons Brier Canadian men's curling championship final.

It's only fitting that Park will face off against a man with whom he won this same event 18 years ago, Alberta's Kevin Martin.

"They don't come along very often, do they?" said a grinning Park. "We really haven't won anything yet, but it sure feels good to be back in that final. We'll have to come up with an effort like we had tonight and we'll be close." Stoughton, a two-time Brier winner himself, put the brakes on an anticipated third showdown between Alberta and Ontario's Glenn Howard when he upset the top-ranked team in the world 8-6 Saturday night in the Brier semifinal.

Park, 44, parted ways with Martin following a 1995 appearance in the Brier, and then set off on an unpredictable journey that saw him land with teams throughout Western Canada, sometimes two or three in a single season, looking for the right combination.

In addition, he battled off-ice demons that he says have been overcome, having not had any kind of alcohol for three-plus years.

Stoughton, finally, was willing to take a leap of faith with the man Martin once said was "brilliant ... one of the best I've ever seen play the game." "A little bit (of redemption)," nodded Park. "For me, personally, I haven't been here since 1995, I haven't won it since 1991.

More from the Edmonton Journal.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

Park’s story just goes to show you that, when you have the chance, you better win, folks, because you never know if or when you might be back.