'He's left an incredible legacy': Well-known Sask. curling fan Hans Madsen dies after cancer battle
If you’ve ever been to a curling event, chances are you’ve seen Hans Madsen. 'Curling’s Bearded Fan' has died after a lengthy battle with cancer.
Madsen, a Yorkton resident, was a fixture at curling events across Canada, known for his colourful wigs and beards dyed to match. He was curling’s superfan.
"The curling community is hurting with the loss of Hans," Ashley Howard, executive director of CurlSask, said. "Everyone has a story, everyone has run into him at an event and he’s left an incredible legacy."
Madsen was diagnosed with cancer in 2017, but it didn’t slow him down.
Whether it was the Women’s World Championship in Swift Current, the Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Moose Jaw and many other events, small and big, in between, Madsen and his wife Judy could always be spotted in the stands, cheering for a different team each draw.
"Anything that could make a person smile, that’s what it’s all about," Madsen told CTV News in 2016.
Madsen was well-known amongst the curlers.
"One of the things I remember most about Hans is he was always at every event and he was always right by the boards watching the event and every time you went on the ice or off the ice, you always said hi to Hans and Judy," Kirk Muyres from Team Dunstone said.
Tributes have poured in from around the curling community, including TSN’s Vic Rauter.
"Curling has lost a wonderful friend and a lot of its colour," Rauter tweeted on Thursday.
Madsen’s impact wasn’t limited to the curling rink either as he was known for supporting teams throughout the Parkland region.
Whether it was the Yorkton Cardinals in the summer or the Melville Millionaires and Yorkton Terriers in the winter, Madsen was there.
Dylan Johnson, a Terriers alum, said he remembers Madsen travelling to watch the team play in the RBC Cup.
"He made the trek to Vernon and we started off bad, but even in the third game, he was still there cheering and we knew we had fans there, like Hans, and back home that really supported us, so we got the job done for them," Johnson said.
"It’s just going to be different not seeing a guy like that who goes full out to show his spirit towards the teams and events that are going on."
Madsen was 71 years old.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
On federal budget, Macklem says 'fiscal track has not changed significantly'
Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem says Canada's fiscal position has 'not changed significantly' following the release of the federal government's budget.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Tropical fish stolen from Beachburg, Ont. restaurant found and returned
Ontario Provincial Police have landed a suspect following a fishy theft in Beachburg, Ont.