Hec Gervais

Hec Gervais, a prominent Canadian curler hailing from Edmonton, Alberta, made a significant mark in the world of curling during his career. Known for his strategic innovations, he is credited with inventing the corner guard, a tactic that has become a staple in the sport. Gervais first entered the curling scene in the late 1950s, and by 1960, he had teamed up with the legendary Matt Baldwin to compete in the Alberta provincials. Despite their formidable reputation as a 'super squad', the team did not advance beyond the provincial level and disbanded after that season.

Undeterred, Gervais formed a new team consisting of Ron Anton, Ray Werner, and Wally Ursuliak. This new lineup achieved remarkable success, winning the Alberta provincials and subsequently clinching the Macdonald Brier that same year. Their triumph continued as they secured the 1961 Scotch Cup, earning the title of World Champions. At the time, Gervais was affectionately known as the 'gentle giant', weighing in at an impressive two hundred seventy pounds.

The Gervais rink returned to the Brier in 1962 but faced disappointment, losing in the playoffs to Ernie Richardson's Saskatchewan team. After a hiatus, Gervais made a comeback to the Brier in 1970 with a new team featuring Bill Mitchell, Wayne Saboe, and Bill Tainsh. They posted an impressive record of eight wins and two losses, yet finished second to Manitoba's Don Duguid.

Gervais's final appearance at the Brier came in 1974, where he reunited with Anton, alongside Warren Hansen and Darrel Sutton. The team once again achieved an eight and two record, which was sufficient to win the Brier, propelling them to the 1974 World Championships. Unfortunately, they finished in fourth place after a narrow semi-final loss to Sweden. Throughout his curling career, Gervais's weight fluctuated between two hundred eighty-five and three hundred forty pounds, and he faced health challenges later in life, including heart surgery in 1987. He ultimately succumbed to a heart attack in 1997.