Winnipeg curler Kerry Burtnyk revealed the worst kept secret in town at a news conference this afternoon -- that he has recruited Edmonton's Don Walchuk to curl with him next season.
"For us to have the opportunity to get him is a real coup for us," Burtnyk told reporters.
Walchuk returned the compliment via a conference call. "I've known Kerry for a long time, I've played with Kerry before and I like Kerry," said Walchuk.
"I think he's one of the best players who ever played."
Walchuk has won three Briers curling out of Alberta over the years but is probably best known as the third on the Kevin Martin team that won silver at the Winter Olympics in 2002.
The Free Press reported two weeks ago that Walchuk had been recruited as Burtnyk's new third, but Burtnyk had refused to confirm it until he set the rest of his lineup.
He finally did that Monday morning -- and the identities of the rest of his foursome for the 2008-09 curling season also proved to be no surprise.
Second Richard Daneault and lead Garth Smith -- who both helped Burtnyk win a Manitoba men's curling title last winter -- will be back again next winter.
With three-quarters of his provincial champion squad from last year now back in the fold, Burtnyk retains his berth into next year's provincials that he earned as the defending champion.
It's not clear, however, who will be Burtnyk's third for the provincials. Walchuk said he cannot move to Manitoba and balked at a suggestion he simply provide a fake Manitoba address -- the only requirement the Manitoba Curling Association lays down for a curler to prove residency.
But even without Walchuk, Burtnyk said he would almost certainly compete at the provincials next winter, even if it meant recruiting another player just for that purpose.
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