Olympic gold medalist and former Winnipegger Ryan Fry has confirmed via social media that he is going to take a leave of absence from the Brad Jacobs team after being disqualified and ejected from a World Curling Tour event last weekend in Red Deer for being too drunk to compete.
Organizers said the players were drinking before their game and that Fry later broke three brooms and exhibited unsportsmanlike conduct on the ice.
Fry was playing as an alternate on a team that included Jamie Koe of the Northwest Territories, Chris Schille of Red Deer, and Regina’s DJ Kidby.
The 40-year-old former two-time Manitoba Junior Men’s champ usually plays with Jacobs and the front end tandem of the Harnden brothers, E.J. and Ryan. That foursome won the Tim Hortons Brier in 2013 and captured the Olympic gold medal at the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, Russia.
A Curling Canada spokesperson says the national body will not be involved as the incident did not take place at one of its sanctioned events. And the World Curling Tour, via email from operations manager Gerry Geurts, announced FRy would be fined $1,000.
“In a review of the facts, interviews with the club and tournament officials, submissions from fans and discussion with a number of the involved players, it was deemed that Jamie Koe was intoxicated to a degree where he was unable to play one of the games. Chris Schille and DJ Kidby were found to be involved in trying to keep the situation under control rather than causing an additional nuisance.
“Ryan Fry’s behaviour, however, was the reason for the team’s dismissal from the event, both on the ice resulting in broken brooms, as well as actions in the clubhouse where his behaviour was deemed inappropriate leading to the team being asked to not return.
“As a result of these actions, Fry will be issued a $1,000 fine, which will be directed to Red Deer Junior Curling.”
— With a file from CP
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