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: 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 | 68 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 |
|
| 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 | March, 2024 |
Russ Howard: Education and Family
Howard is a 68 year old sports star and a complete all-rounder. He stands 6’5″ tall and weighs around 80 kg. The star has distinct features and his eyes are black, and his hair is brown.
Russ graduated from the University of West of England with a degree in economics. He claims that he just did it because “that was what his colleagues were doing.”
Russ Howard’s brother
Glenn Howard, his brother, is a well-known curler who has competed in thirteen Brier tournaments, won three Brier tournaments, won three world championships in 1987, 1993, and 2007, and won eight grand slam titles.
Likewise, Glenn’s son Scott Howard and daughter Carly Howard were both curlers who competed at the provincial level in several junior events.
Wife
Russel Howard and his wife, Wendy Howard, have a lovely marriage. Ashley Howard and Steven Howard are their two children.
He recently moved to Regina to be closer to his children, demonstrating that the entire family has a healthy relationship and strong emotional attachment.
Similarly, Russell is a curling coach for his children in addition to being a father.
Russ Howard: Career
As a Skip (Captain), Russ Howard, famed for his gravelly voice, led the team to victory at the Brier. The annual Canadian men’s curling championship, held at the provincial level, is known as Brier.
Because he lived in Moncton, New Brunswick, from 2000 to 2019, Howard began curling by representing New Brunswick in the late 1990s, winning six more provincial titles as a Skip (1999-2000, 2002-2004, 2009).
He also won the Canadian national championships in 1987 and 1993, followed by two gold medals in the World Championships in 1987 and 1993.
Furthermore, at the height of his career, the closest he came to winning a national crown was in 2000, when he finished second.
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Olympic Win
The Canadian-born did, however, join Brad Gushue‘s team for the Canadian Olympic Trials in 2005.
Although Gushue continued to throw the final rocks, which Skip or Captain generally threw, and Howard threw the second, the team won the match.
It gave him and the team a chance to compete and represent Canada at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin. They won the gold medal in a 10-4 victory over Finland in a match.
Their team also became the first Canadian team to win a gold medal after they triumph over Finland.
Moreover, Russ also established a milestone by becoming the oldest Canadian and the first from New Brunswick to win a gold medal, surpassing Robin Welsh’s 1924 Winter Olympic gold in curling.
Russ Howard: Moncton Rules
Howard also came up with the “Moncton Rule,” which evolved into the “free guard zone” that is now part of international and Olympic rules.
The free guard zone stipulates that rocks in the free guard zone cannot be knocked out of play by an opponent’s stone until the first two rocks from each side have been played.
If this occurs, they are replaced, and the rock that struck them is taken out of the game.
Howard’s modified version, which placed the threshold at three instead of four rocks, was implemented in Canada for many years.
He did not curl in New Brunswick in 2009-10, despite playing in bonspiels all year. But he had media commitments with The Sports Network (TSN).
Howard has been a commentator for TSN since 2001, covering curling competitions.
In 2015, Howard was made a Member of the Order of Canada.
Russ Howard: Awards and Achievements
Howard had appeared and represented his team in more Briers than any other player until 2009.
Glen Howard, Russ’s brother, matched for the most Brier appearances and broke the record of Russ for most lifetime games played at the Brier in the 2012 Brier.
At 50, Russ became the oldest Canadian to win a gold medal 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.
