Changing of the Guard
Scott Pfeifer (L), Randy Ferbey (C), Marcel Rocque (R)
For the past 13 years, the curling team from Edmonton known collectively as the “Ferbey Four” was a formidable force within men’s curling at a national and international level and added to the powerhouse of talent within Alberta. Rumours swirled of the foursome calling it quits after their attempt at representing Canada at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics during the Roar of the Rings Olympic Curling Trials last December was cut short in front of their home town crowd. Now, amid months of speculation and at the end of the 2009-2010 curling season, skip Randy Ferbey confirmed the rumours during the final competition of the season at the Capital One Player’s Championship this past week in Dawson Creek, BC.
The team, consisting of Dave Nedohin as third (throws fourth stones), Scott Pfeifer as second, and Marcel Rocque as lead, dominated the curling circuit during their success from 2001-2005 winning four Brier championships and three World Curling titles.
“It’s difficult for everyone because we know that…in Dawson Creek at the Player’s Championship, it’s going to be the last time that this team steps on the ice together and it’ll be emotional for us, I’m sure,” stated Nedohin.
Of his team, Ferbey stated, “This is the end of a very special, special team. It was a remarkable run and I’m not sure it will ever be done again. I don’t think many great teams stay together for the length of time that we did without making a single change.”
Ferbey still plans to curl, though, as he will join the 2006 Olympic Gold medalist Brad Gushue rink from St. John’s on the Grand Slam circuit. Ferbey will call the game and throw third stones again for the newly formed curling combination while Gushue will throw fourth stones. Third, Mark Nichols, will play second on the new team and second, Ryan Fry, will play lead. Current Gushue lead, Jamie Korab, has decided to leave the team and focus on work and family life after stating that he has been slightly burned out after so many years of competitive curling.
Likewise, Ferbey’s old teammates, Rocque, Pfeifer, and Nedohin are taking an indefinite break from the sport to all focus on other pursuits and family. Although with Gushue on the Grand Slam circuit, Ferbey still plans to play provincially and form a new team for play within Alberta. Ferbey still plans to convince some of his old teammates to join him in the run for the Alberta Championships. Nedohin didn’t rule out a return stating, “Maybe I’ll miss it enough that after one year, I’ll want to get back into it, or maybe it will be two or five years. Who knows?”
