Mar 6, 2017
Jack MacDuff is a true Maritimer. He now lives in New
Brunswick, was born in Nova Scotia but is perhaps best known for
his short stay in Newfoundland during the 1970's when he skipped
the first and (so far) only Brier winning team from that province.
Growing up in Lunenburg, NS, Jack would finish playing
hockey, then swap his skates for Ken Watson curling boots and cross
over to the rink to throw rocks until days end. In those
practice sessions, he would play 12 end games against the
Richardsons. Years later, as the driver for Team MacDuff at
the 1976 Brier in Regina, Sam Richardson helped provide confidence
for Jack and his squad as they accomplished the impossible for
Newfoundland & Labrador, winning the Canadian Men's Curling
Championship. Jack will share stories from his early
experiences, his first Brier appearance in 1972, and a game by game
account of that legendary victory in 1976, along with the week long
party that followed.
For more on Jack MacDuff, check out "The Brier" by Bob Weeks and "The First Fifty" by Doug Maxwell & Friends.
Video is available from Jack's recent appearance at
the opening weekend of the 2017 Brier in
Newfoundland and from the archives, coverage from the 1972 Macdonald
Brier and a brief clip from the historic victory in 1976.
I remember very well the day NFLD won the Briar. I was in the process of delivering my son and the Dr was a bit late arriving as he waited to see the end of the game. Came in room in time to receive my son and tell me NFLD won! But I didn't take my Mom's suggestion to call him Briar. And I am still a curling fan!