Ottawa and District Senior League

December 21, 2025

Hello ODSL Winter curlers.

This is an update to the info about league parameters provided on the 10th.

We have 22 teams, all of whom will play a full schedule through April 16.

The schedule for Thursday, January 8 is as follows:

9:30 games

1-FVR vs Sutherland

2-Thomsen vs. Rogers

3-Duck vs. Tremblay

4-Kurylowicz vs. Long

5-Lewis vs. Cassidy

6-Suchorab vs. Collins

Noon games

7-Johnston vs. Boucher

8-Goold vs. Minh Ha

9-Shinn vs. Wallace

10-Kanasy vs. Kelly

11-Dobenko vs. Evans

We will always have 6 early games and 5 late games, so once we get going:

the 11 winners will play early the next week, plus the loser of game 1; and
the 10 remaining losers will play late the next week.

The Winter Roster/Contact List has been updated to the website.

The number of games we'll play (14 or 15) and the league fee (prize and ice components) will be communicated out once determined.

Enjoy the holidays and the time off.

Rob and Bill

December 17, 2025

Hello ODSL curlers.

Thursday is the last week of the ODSL Fall season. There is still a league championship on the line, with four teams in the running:

If Team Cochrane wins their 9:15am game, they win the league title and can add it to the Ontario Provincial Masters men's championship they won last week in Whitby.
If perchance they lose, the winner of the Boucher-Long 9:15am game will vault into 1st place.
You'd think it would end there, but if Team Lewis then wins their 11:40am game, they would leap over everyone to the top the money list.

Whatever the result - and we've seen strange things happen in the last week of play before - we hope everyone has enjoyed the Fall League. Thanks for your help in keeping the league easy to administer, especially in light of our expansion this year to 28 teams with a mid-afternoon draw.

Fall prize money will be sent Thursday via e-transfer, either in the late afternoon or late evening, to all those teams who opted for a payout. All prize amounts, whether they're rollovers for the Winter or payouts, will be shown on the Fall Standings table.

Update on the Winter League - Almost all teams have responded to our invitation to continue play in January. You can see how teams have responded on the website home page. For the remaining teams and individuals who have yet to pass along their intentions, please let Rob know by end of day Thursday. Once the number of teams is set (20 or 22 or 24), we'll finalize a budget, entry fee, roster document and week 1 schedule and let everyone know, hopefully all before X-mas.

Good curling Thursday.

Rob and Bill

December 10, 2025

Hello ODSL curlers. We're back in action tomorrow for the penultimate week of the Fall League.

With that, it's time to start organizing the 2026 Winter League. Here are the details we know so far:

We'll start January 8th.
We'll continue with a ladder format and an even number of teams.
Last year, we had 20 teams in the Winter (listed below).
We can expand to 24 teams this year, but no more. Consequently, there will not be a 2:10 draw.
Draw times will revert to 9:30 and noon.
We are not asking for entry fees at this time; they'll be due before/by the first day of play.
Anticipate an amount in the ballpark of last year's $960/team (Note: no ice fees for OHC members).
There will either be 15 weeks of play, or 14 with one bye.
1. This will be determined shortly and the per-team fee will be communicated out.
We'll conclude April 16.
One team has already indicated that they prefer to stop play at the end of March (fee to be pro-rated).
1. To accommodate this, we would need another team to volunteer for the same option.

Please let me know by next Thursday the 18th whether your team is IN for the Winter (or wants to be IN) or will PASS.

If you're IN, let me know by email:

your line-up (same as the Fall, or your mix-and-match new list of players).
whether you want to cash out, or roll over your Fall winnings against your Winter fees.
1. roll-over credits already being held: Colquhoun $347.20, Duck $20

For individuals, let me know if you're looking for a team or wish to be listed as a spare.

Rob and Bill

October 22, 2025

ODSL - Schedule for tomorrow ++

Hello ODSL Fall curlers.

We've added four teams to the Fall League - to go from 24 to 28 - and with this have added a 2:10pm draw to accommodate these extra two games,

This has disrupted, to a small extent, the long-standing pattern of "win to play in the early draw" and "lose you'll play in the later draw".

If you want a new shorthand to remember the pattern of our 28-team ladder, it's as follows:

All winners play the next week at 9:15,
- except for the two who won at 2:10: they'll play the next week at 11:40
All losers play the next week at 11:40,
- except for the losers of games 11 through 14 of the ladder: they'll play the next week at 2:10.

The schedule is always updated and posted to the 'Fall' page of the web-site either Thursday night or Friday morning.

The web-site address: Make it a favourite!

A standings document has been posted to the Fall page. It's also updated each week. It already includes the amount to be reimbursed for the Oct. 9 date we missed.

Hope this helps.

Good curling tomorrow!

Rob

October 3, 2025

ODSL - season start delayed until October 16

Hello ODSL curlers. Below, please see Bill's message to the Hunt Club curlers.

For the ODSL, this means that our season start will be on October 16 rather than October 9.

Same start times, same match-ups.

I'll calculate the appropriate credits to compensate all teams for the 1 missed week and include those in our December payouts.

Hope that's okay.

See you all on the 16th.

Rob

------ Original Message ------
Hello Hunt Curlers.

I am extremely discouraged that I must share this news!

Jet Ice were able to get their printer issues resolved. And our new 'houses' have arrived in Ottawa. The only bright spot in this news.

Our new 'houses' are spending the weekend in the warehouse of Day & Ross's Ottawa warehouse.

Short version on the positive side:

We hope to receive the new 'houses' on Monday.
We will get them installed as quickly as we can and
Return to building the ice to be ready for some practice ice over the Thanksgiving weekend.
- I will confirm when the ice will be ready.
- Until then, please don't ask for practice time. I'll be in the rink getting things ready.
League activity will begin October 14.

Enjoy the forecasted August weekend ahead.

Yours in curling,

Bill

September 21, 2025

ODSL Fall 2025 - ice, fees, payments, schedule, teams, dress code, etc

Hello ODSL Fall League curlers. We're now less than three weeks away from Week 1 of play. Here are the details you'll need for our season start on Thursday, October 9th.

Ice

Bill started the refrigeration plant over two weeks ago and reports that everything is progressing well. It's already all nice and white out in the ice shed.

Teams

We have 28 teams wishing to play, so for the first time, we'll have a third draw. We will continue with the ladder format.

Game times will be 9:15 for the six 'top-of-the-ladder' matches, 11:40 for the six middle-ladder games, and 2:10pm for the two games at the bottom of the ladder.

Note that there will be a scrape before the 2:10pm games.

Web-Site

The web-site has been updated with the Fall team rosters on the 'Members Only' page

The list also includes folks looking for a team and those willing to spare.

The folks getting this email are those listed on the roster document, so please let me know if you have blank spots to fill or other changes to report.

Schedule

The schedule for Week 1, including per-win dollar values for every game, will be posted on the 'Fall' page of the web-site by the 29th.

There will be 10 games, from October 9 to December 18, with a week off Dec. 4 for the Canadian Senior Championships.

Entry Fees / Payments
The Fall League fee will be $760 per team, divided as follows:

$280 from all teams for the prize fund, which will total $7,840
$480 per team for Ice Rental fees:
teams which are entirely made up of Hunt Club members (e.g. Johnston, Duck, Cassidy) have already paid their ice fee.
teams which include individual players who are Hunt Club members (e.g. Team Long with Andre Lalonde) should adjust their ice fee accordingly.

Payment can be made between now and Oct. 9th by e-transfer or in person on the 9th by cheque. Please, no cash.

One payment per team.
If paying by e-transfer, make your payment to this address - odsl@bell.net
If paying by cheque, make it payable to “Rob Kanasy”.

Three teams have roll-over credits from last Winter: Collins $194, Duck $300, Colquhoun $347.20

Game Start
Although the early draw is listed as starting at 9:15, the ice will be ready beforehand, so please begin early if your teams are ready. Remember that no end may commence after 11:10, unless you are tied. If so, play an extra end to determine a winner.

For the 11:40 draw, please don't hesitate to begin play if your teams and the ice are ready. The ice is ready when the scoreboard numbers are down. No end may commence after 1:35pm unless it's to break a tie.

Same rules apply for the 2:10pm draw. No end may commence after 4:05pm unless it's to break a tie.

Deliberate slow play to achieve victory will not be tolerated.

Please record your game result on the scoresheet in the curling lounge. The web-site will be updated - usually each Thursday night or Friday morning - with standings and the next week's match-ups.

Club Policy
Hunt Club has a “no cash” policy. Refreshment purchases at the bar will be Debit or Credit (or Member Chit) only. Remember as well that all prices always include the gratuity.

Dress Code

Please see the attachment.

Brush Heads

Info to follow.

Enjoy the rest of the good weather and see you all on the 9th.

Rob

May 15, 2025

ODSL plans for Fall 2025 - 28/30 teams

Hello ODSL curlers. Thanks to everyone for responding to our call for Fall 2025 commitments.

The results are in and, all told, we have 29 teams wishing to play. If nothing changes by next October, we would proceed with a 28-team ladder, with two games at the bottom of the ladder being played at 2:15pm. The 28 teams includes the returning existing teams, plus new teams entered by Jenn Harvey, Mike Grinnell, Brian Lewis, Sheryl Dobenko and Kirk Anderson.

Team Maureen Broder is in the 29th spot and could also join if a 30th entry comes forward.

At some point around Labour Day, we'll be in touch again with the entry fee amount and any updates.

Until then, please enjoy your spring and summer.

Rob and Bill

April 30, 2025
ODSL plans for Fall 2025 - team confirmations needed by May 9

Hello ODSL curlers. As foreshadowed last week, this is the call to kick off organizing the 2025 ODSL Fall season. We're doing so now because there has been unprecedented interest in joining the Fall League, both from existing players wanting to form four new teams, as well as three external groups seeking to enter.

Given this level of interest, and the availability of ice later Thursday afternoons, it is possible to expand the Fall League from 24 teams to 28 or 30 teams. We would once again have two full six-sheet draws, but would add a third draw to accommodate two or three additional games at the bottom end of the ladder. This third draw could be fit into the overall Hunt Club Thursday schedule if draw times were set at 9:15am, 11:45am and 2:15pm. Our first game is tentatively slotted in for October 9. There are likely two Thursdays off (Nov. 27-TBD and Dec. 4-definitely) during which the Canadian Senior Championships will be played, and we will run through to December 18, making a nine (or ten) game Fall League season.

It's now time for last year's existing 24 Fall League teams/skips to confirm their intentions:

IN with the same team
IN with a different team (with names to the extent you know already)
OUT

No reply necessary from teams that have already confirmed: Bill, Rob, Marc Tremblay, Rick Collins, Colquhoun/Shinn

For the 7 teams interested in joining, please confirm that you're still interested and provide teammates' names and any new email addresses. No reply necessary from the following: Brian L., Sheryl D., Jenn H.

For unattached individuals, please let us know whether you're looking for a team or simply want to remain on the league lists as a spare.

We're not asking for entry fees from anyone at this time; they'll be payable around mid/late-September.

Please reply by Friday, May 9.

Once we've received all of your confirmations - they'll be listed on the home page as received - we'll be able to let everyone know where we stand.

Note that in December we'll canvass separately for the Winter League, where there is room to expand from this past year's 20 teams up to 22 or 24 teams.

There will be no third draw for the Winter League and draw times will return to 9:30am and noon.

Looking forward to your replies. Cheers,

Rob and Bill

April 25, 2025

ODSL's successful fundraising effort to support the 2025 Canadian Senior Championships

Hello ODSL curlers.

We just wanted to pass along to all of you how successful our fundraising efforts were in aid of the 2025 Senior Men’s and Women’s National Championships. The total raised so far is $1,494.50, which exceeded both our goal and our most optimistic expectations.

All 20 teams in the Winter League pitched in, along with two more Fall League teams and some very generous individuals.

Outstanding! A big 'thank you' to everyone for their contributions.

As was mentioned in our original solicitation email, the Championship organizers have indicated that our league would be appropriately recognized for our support. In that regard, if there is anyone in our league with some experience as a graphic artist who might be able to help with the design of a logo, please do let us know.

Team Van Ryckeghem, Rob and Bill

p.s. An email to kick off organizing the 2025 ODSL Fall season will be heading your way next week. Stay tuned for that one.

April 15, 2025

ODSL - helping sponsor the 2025 Senior Men’s and Women’s National Championships

Hello ODSL curlers.

The 2025 Senior Men’s and Women’s National Championships is being hosted by The Ottawa Hunt Club the week of November 29 to December 6. The club is undertaking fundraising efforts to offset shortfalls as the title sponsor has dropped its funding/support for this event.

The ODSL has played here at the Hunt since it was formed in 1999. The league was created in part to provide a place for senior curlers in Ottawa to continue to play at high levels and we have seen many teams play here and vie for and win this very championship. It’s been suggested that it would be a great gesture that, as a league, we help sponsor this event. A contribution of $50 per team would be quite generous. The Championship organizers have indicated that our league would be appropriately recognized for our support.

We have checked with the league coordinators Rob and Bill. They have confirmed that, for those Winter League teams wishing to contribute, we can provide that amount from your team’s end-of-year prize money payout, or you can give it to Rob directly on Thursday. For Fall League teams wishing to contribute, an e-transfer to Rob would work best.

Team reps please send a note to Rob to indicate your preference and/or arrange your contribution.

Thanks,

Ron Knight (on behalf of Team Van Ryckeghem)

March 26, 2025

ODSL 50/50 to support Ontario Team Lewis

Hello ODSL curlers.

To support Team Ontario in their quest to win the National Masters Championships in the Soo next week, we'll be holding a 50/50 fundraising draw on Thursday. The entire team - Brian Lewis, Dave Stanley, Graham Sinclair and Mike Johansen - will be in the house, playing the 9:30 game as yet another step in their preparations for the event.

Tickets for the 50/50 will be $10 each. They will be on sale by Rob between 11am and noon, to allow all players from both the early and late draws to participate. You may buy more than one. The winning ticket will be drawn at noon. We hope you all support this initiative, as the team's pursuit of the championship is at least partially self-funded. If your entire team wants to go in on tickets and would like to pay with end-of-season winnings, we can do that.

Bill and Rob

December 29, 2024

ODSL Winter League 2025 fees and details

Hello ODSL Winter curlers and spares. Hope you've been enjoying the holidays.

We have 20 teams for the Winter.

The roster/contact list has been posted on the 'Members Only' page of the website.

Here are the last details you'll need for our season start on Thursday the 9th.

Entry Fees

The Winter League fee will be $960 per team, for 15 games, divided as follows:

$660 per team for Ice Rental fees
1. Hunt Club teams have already paid their ice fees.
2. teams which include individual Hunt Club members should adjust their overall payment accordingly.
$300 from all teams for the prize fund, which will total $6000.
numerous teams have roll-over credits from the Fall League to be applied. Those amounts are shown on the Fall final standings document.
per-win dollar values for each game will be included when the schedule is posted.
if you have any questions about the amount owing, please feel free to ask for confirmation.

Payments

Payments are due on the first Thursday of play, but will be happily accepted beforehand.
One payment per team please, by e-transfer or cheque.
1. If paying by e-transfer, make your payment to odsl@bell.net or rkan@bell.net
2. If paying by cheque, make it payable to “Rob Kanasy”.

Looking for an additional team

Team Owen Evans is interested in playing and would be our 21st team, but we need a 22nd team to have this be possible.

Therefore, if you know of any senior teams interested in joining the league, please let them know that we have a spot available.

In addition, I'd be happy to collect individual names to assist in forming a team of 'orphans'. Let me know ASAP if there are any current spares or other interested individuals you know who would be interested in this opportunity.

Enjoy the rest of your holidays and see you all on the 9th.

Rob and Bill

December 11, 2024

ODSL - No boots in the curling lounge

Hello ODSL curlers. Below is the message Bill sent out to the Hunt Club curling membership in light of the onset of winter.

Rob

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Bill Duck <bduck@ottawahuntclub.org>
Date: Tue, Dec 10, 2024 at 10:20 AM
Subject: No boots in the curling lounge

Good morning everyone!

Winter is upon us, which means an increase of salt & grit out on the roads, and sidewalks. We ask that you please remove your outdoor shoes before entering the curling rink. This is to maintain the quality and cleanliness of our ice as salt & grit are designed to melt ice.

You can leave your shoes in the locker rooms or in the shoe rack outside the curling lounge. Please note that shoes are required in the Willie Park Lounge and other areas of the club – we recommend bringing a pair of shoes to wear indoors.

Thank you for your cooperation,

Curling Team

November 9, 2022

Game time policy - quick update

Hello ODSL curlers. There have been a few queries recently about the game time policy, so a quick update seems in order.

Early draw

First rocks should be sliding by 9:30am.

Early starts are ok!

No end should commence once the digital clock in the rink reaches 11:25am UNLESS:

the game is tied. If so, play a full end to break the tie.

Late draw

Ice is ready when the hacks are back in and the NUMBERS are down

We ask that you stay in the lounge until the ice is ready.

If your sheet is still occupied due to an extra end in an early draw game, please feel free to use whichever sheet is free and ready for play.

First rocks should be sliding by noon

Early starts are ok!

No end should commence once the digital clock in the rink reaches 1:55pm UNLESS:

the game is tied. If so, play a full end to break the tie.

your game start was slightly delayed. If so, add the time that skips agreed at the beginning of the game to compensate.

The draw sheet also highlights the end of game times. Given these generous time limits, all games should be able to play 8 ends if necessary. And no team should ever 'slow-walk' to a victory.

Rob and Bill