Today marks a special milestone for Al Hackner as he celebrates his 70th birthday. Known as one of the most iconic figures in the world of curling, Hackner has continued to captivate fans and players alike with his remarkable career and recent activities. Despite announcing his retirement from competitive curling in 2023, he has remained active, balancing his time between hockey and his return to the Brier last March as the coach for Team Trevor Bonot. Notably, Hackner has also contributed to Scleroderma Canada through his feature as “Mr. January” in the 2024 Curling Cares fundraising calendar.
My acquaintance with Al dates back to the early 1990s, when his stamina and competitive spirit were well-known. Hackner was famous for his ability to stay up all night, earning him the Dungeon Master jacket at T Bay’s Heart To Heart charity bonspiel. His reputation for partying hard was legendary, even before his notable semifinal match against Paul Gowsell at the 1980 Calgary Brier.
Hackner’s impressive career includes multiple Brier championships, having lost in the finals in 1980 and 1981 before triumphing in 1982 and again in 1985. His achievements span nine Brier appearances and he became the first skip to win Canadian championships in all three major categories: Briers, seniors, and masters titles. Kevin Palmer recently revisited Hackner’s 1982 Brier win in a Buried Treasure column and highlighted it in a podcast episode from 2022, which I highly recommend. The episode features numerous photos and videos, including Hackner’s famous Shot against Pat Ryan in the 1985 Brier final.
The 1985 win was significant not only for Hackner but for the sport of curling as well, as noted in the Netflix documentary series, LOSERS, which focused on his rival Pat Ryan. Hackner’s 70th birthday coincides with other major milestones in the curling world, including celebrations for legends like Paul Savage, Eddie Werenich, Guy Hemmings, and Paal Trulsen.
I had the honor of playing alongside Hackner during a Grand Slam event in 2001, hosted in his hometown. It was a memorable experience, and I believe it was one of my best performances that season. As we celebrate Hackner today, it’s clear that his contributions to curling and his vibrant personality continue to leave a lasting impact.
This morning, I reached out to Hackner, half-expecting to catch him fishing—a favorite pastime of his. To my surprise, he informed me of his plans to golf in the afternoon followed by a BBQ birthday celebration with family and friends, where he would also be cooking some freshly caught walleye. Although he won’t be fishing today, it’s clear that his love for the sport remains as strong as ever.
Happy 70th birthday to Al Hackner—a true curling legend whose legacy continues to inspire and entertain.
By George Karrys