Who is Canadian Curler Russ Howard?

Russ Howard: Quick Facts 

Full Name Russel W. Howard (Russ Howard)
Birth Date February 19, 1956
Birth PlaceMidand Midland, Ontario, Canada
Religion Not Available
Nationality Canadian
Ethnicity Not Available
Zodiac Sign Pisces
Father’s Name Bill Howard
Mother’s Name Barbara Howard
Age 66 years old
Height 175 cm/5’7″
Weight 80 kgs/176 lb
Build Athletic
Hair Color Brown
Eye Color Black
Marital Status Married
Wife’s Name Wendy Howard
Children
  • Daughter: Ashley Howard
  • Son: Steven Howard
Profession Curler, Coach, and Sports Television Presenter
Net Worth $5 Million
Social Media Not Available
Merch Curl To Win, Hurry Hard: The Russ Howard Story
Last Update July, 2022

If you’re a fan of the curling game, you’re probably familiar with the name Russel W. Howard, also known as Russ Howard. You may have even seen him at the Olympic Winter Games.

Howard, a Canadian curler and Olympic champion, was born in Midland, Ontario, on February 19, 1956.

In 1987 and 1993, he won gold medals at the World Curling Championships. Then in 2006, he won gold at the Winter Olympics in Turin. 

Here are some basic facts about Howard before we go into his personal and professional life.

Russ Howard: Family and Education

Howard is a 66-year-old sports legend who can do it all. He is 6’5″ tall and weighs about 80 kg. The actor has distinct features, including black eyes and brown hair.

Russ earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of the West of England. He claims he did it simply because “that’s what his colleagues were doing.”

Russ Howard’s younger brother

His brother, Glenn Howard, is a well-known curler who has competed in thirteen Brier tournaments, won three Brier tournaments, three world championships in 1987, 1993, and 2007, and eight grand slam titles.

Glenn’s son Scott Howard and daughter Carly Howard, likewise, were both curlers who competed at the provincial level in a variety of junior events.

Wife

Russel Howard and Wendy Howard have a wonderful marriage. Their two children are Ashley Howard and Steven Howard.

He recently relocated to Regina to be closer to his children, demonstrating that the entire family has a strong emotional attachment and a healthy relationship.

Similarly, Russell, in addition to being a father, is a curling coach for his children.

Russ Howard’s Professional Life

Russ Howard, known for his gravelly voice as a Skip (Captain), led the team to victory at the Brier. Brier refers to the annual Canadian men’s curling championship held at the provincial level.

Because he lived in Moncton, New Brunswick, from 2000 to 2019, Howard began curling in the late 1990s, representing New Brunswick and winning six more provincial titles as a Skip (1999-2000, 2002-2004, 2009).

In addition, he won the Canadian national championships in 1987 and 1993, as well as two gold medals at the World Championships in 1987 and 1993.

Furthermore, at the peak of his career, the closest he came to winning a national title was finishing second in 2000.

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Olympic Victory

However, the Canadian-born athlete did join Brad Gushue’s team for the Canadian Olympic Trials in 2005.

Despite the fact that Gushue continued to throw the final rocks, which were usually thrown by Skip or Captain, and Howard threw the second, the team won the match.

It provided him and his team with the opportunity to compete and represent Canada at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin. They won the gold medal in a match against Finland, winning 10-4.

After defeating Finland, their team became the first Canadian team to win a gold medal.

Furthermore, Russ became the oldest Canadian and the first from New Brunswick to win a gold medal, surpassing Robin Welsh’s 1924 Winter Olympic gold medal in curling.

Moncton Rules, according to Russ Howard

Howard also devised the “Moncton Rule,” which evolved into the “free guard zone” that is now incorporated into international and Olympic regulations.

The free guard zone states that rocks in the free guard zone are not allowed to be knocked out of play by an opponent’s stone until the first two rocks from each side have been played.

If this happens, they are replaced, and the rock that hit them is removed from the game.

For many years, Howard’s modified version, which set the threshold at three rather than four rocks, was used in Canada.

Despite participating in bonspiels all year, he did not curl in New Brunswick in 2009-10. However, he had media obligations with The Sports Network (TSN).

Howard has been a TSN commentator covering curling competitions since 2001.

Howard was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada in 2015.

Awards and Achievements for Russ Howard

Until 2009, Howard had appeared and represented his team in more Briers than any other player.

Glen Howard, Russ’s brother, tied for the most Brier appearances and broke Russ’s record for most lifetime Brier games played in the 2012 Brier.

Russ, at the age of 50, became Canada’s oldest gold medalist at the 2006 Winter Olympics.

Achievements 

  • Fourteen appearances at the Brier (Eight with Ontario and Six with New Brunswick).
  • Two Briers conquered. 
  • Similarly, he won two world championships (1987 and 1993).
  • In 2006, Howard also earned an Olympic gold medal.
  • In addition, he won three Canadian Silver Medals and two bronze medals. 
  • With a total of 14 appearances at the Canadian men’s championship, he ranks second all-time among skips.
  • He is also the creator of the “Moncton Rule,” among other things.

Honors 

  • In 2013, Howard was honored with the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame.
  • He was also recognized by the Sports Hall of Fame of New Brunswick (2006).
  • In addition, in 2015, Russ was named into the World Curling Hall of Fame.
  • Russ was elected to the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame in 2011.
  • Russ In 2015, Howard was made a Member of the Order of Canada.
  • The autobiography (Hurry Hard: The Russ Howard Story) was published in 2007.
  • Howard is also nicknamed “Curler of the Century.”

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Career Outside Curling 

Howard began his career as a Sports Network Analyst (TSN). In 2001, he took his first steps into the broadcasting booth.

In addition, in 2008, he was named TSN’s principal curling analyst, where he collaborated with Vic Rauter and Cheryl Bernard.

For TSN’s Season of Championship Curling, he provided color commentary.

During the Olympic Winter Games of Vancouver 2010, Howard served as a color commentator for Canada’s Olympic Broadcast Media Consortium.

In addition, during the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games, Russel Howard served as a color commentator for Canada’s Olympic Broadcast Media Consortium.

Howard is well-known for describing fewer alternatives for viewers unfamiliar with curling.

In addition to all of this, Howard worked for Royal LePage Atlantic as a real estate agent. In 2019, he shifted to Regina to be closer to his family.

The International Curler also travels across Canada as a motivational speaker.

Who is Russ Howard’s daughter?

Ashley Howard, Howard’s daughter, was born on September 19, 1989, and is a Canadian Curler for the Regina, Saskatchewan provincial team.

She is also the executive director of Curlsask, Saskatchewan’s governing body for curling.

Ashely Howard is a Twitter user.

Ashley played in one Canadian Junior game in 2006, skipped (captained) Canadian winter games in 2007, and was a Skip in a Canadian Junior game in 2009.

She has made a provincial playdown in various categories for eleven years in a row.

Who is Russ Howard’s Son?

Steve Howard, Russ Howard’s son, grew up in New Brunswick after being born in Ontario. He’s traveled all around the United States.

He is currently employed in Fort McMurray, Alberta. Junior Howard spends his time away from work in Saskatchewan, where he lives and curls.

Likewise, Steve competed in his third Brier tournament (three as a player and one as a fifth), skipped once at Junior nationals, and competed in one Ontario bantam tournament.

Russ Howard: Net Worth 

Since 2018-2019, Russ Howard’s net worth has been steadily expanding. He is regarded as one of Canada’s wealthiest curlers.

Howard makes the most of his money as a professional curler.

Russ Howard’s net worth is believed to be at $5 million.

Howard worked as an analyst for The Sports Network (TSN Coverage ) ‘s and was named TSN’s lead curling expert in addition to being a professional curler.

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Russ Howard: Social Media 

Despite being a famous athlete, Russ Howard prefers to keep his personal life private and is not present on any social media sites, but his wife and daughter are.

Interesting Facts 

  • Howard also coached his daughter Ashley and Steve’s team in Switzerland and worked as a curling coach (2008-2009).
  • In addition to coaching, Russ has had his hands on Japan’s international curling training and ice-making three times.
  • He also worked as a Curling Camp Instructor for juniors and adults in Ontario and Moncton, New Brunswick.
  • Also, he is a Certified Competition Coach.

Russ Howard: Frequently Asked Questions 

What does Russ do apart from curling?

In addition to being a curler, he works as a commentator for TSN and as a curling coach in Switzerland. Howard also works as a real estate agent with Royal LePage Atlantic. 

How is Russ related to Jean Thompson?

Jean Thompson, who was a celebrated Olympic runner, is Russ’s grand aunt. 

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