KINGSTON, Ont. – If not for a devastating skiing injury, Wayne Middaugh might still be competing under the bright lights at the Tim Hortons Brier.
The timing couldn’t have been worse, either, as Middaugh was supposed to play with long-time teammate and friend Howard at the Ontario Tankard. Howard would win win those playdowns and brought Middaugh along as Ontario’s coach for the Brier taking place in the nation’s capital.“Everything happens for a reason,” said Middaugh. “If I was still playing, I wouldn’t have met the [Anna] Hasselborg team.
“My goal was to always be the best teammate possible,” explained Middaugh. “I tried to play the best that I could ever play and be the best person at whatever position. It didn’t matter to me. I just wanted to play on a great team and I was lucky to play with some outstanding players.”
Thankful is an odd first name.