For his contributions to curling as an athlete, mentor and builder of the sport.
Russ Howard has helped raise the profile of curling in Canada and around the world. A legendary athlete, he is a two-time Canadian and world champion and a 2006 Olympic gold medallist. Known for his emphatic “hurry hard” on the ice, he also invented the Free Guard Zone, a rule that added strategy and excitement to the game. He shares his passion for the game as a coach and mentor, a popular broadcaster and a supporter of many charitable causes.