Brooklyn Park Attorney Eyes Olympic History, Becomes Alternate on U.S. Curling Team
A Brooklyn Park curler is part of a team that qualified for the 2026 Olympics.
Rich Ruohonen is an alternate for USA Team Casper.
It’s the first time he’s qualified in his lengthy curling career.
“Everything was working towards those Olympic trials,” Ruohonen said. “Just to make it happen was phenomenal for those guys, and me. [It’s] something I’ve worked my whole life towards.”
His whole life isn’t an overstatement — Ruohonen started curling with his dad at the St. Paul Curling Club in fifth grade.
Since he started, he’s competed for the USA in two world championships, and won back-to-back medals at the senior world championships.
“It’s always been a dream. And I frankly thought it was over two years ago,” Ruohonen said.
After over 30 years competing, and multiple second place finishes in different qualifying competitions, Ruohonen began to take a step back. In his early 50s, he said he saw his peers began to retire, and decided it was his time to step back, too.
However, he was persuaded to come out of retirement. He joined Team Casper to fill in when the team’s namesake, Danny Casper, began struggling with Guillain-Barré Syndrome. Over time, Casper gained more strength and was able to play more often. Ruohonen stayed on as an alternate.
“To be retired, and come out, and now going to the Olympics — it’s kind of crazy, actually,” Ruohonen said. “It’s a big deal to me. And I will do whatever it takes to help these guys win.”
The majority of his teammates are much younger than him, with most falling between the ages of 24 and 27.
Ruohonen said his age and experience gives the team certain advantages. He also has taken on the informal role of “team dad.”
His age — now 54 — could also be record-setting. If he steps in to compete in February, he would be the oldest American to ever compete at the Winter Olympics.
A graphic of Team Casper, which will be representing the USA in Milano Cortina 2026. Rick Ruohonen is the first from the left.
Along for the Ride
Ruohonen’s son, Nick, is also helping share his journey.
He’s been making Instagram Reels and TikToks, sharing Ruohonen’s training journey and other looks behind the scenes.
“We’re super excited to post on his Instagram, and take our fans and friends along with us as we are going through that once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Nick said.
@nick.ruohonen How sweeping works🤯 #fyp #curling #olympics #curlingsport #sweepers ♬ original sound – NickRuohonen
Aside from Nick’s vlogs and social media updates, he’s also a lifelong curling cheerleader.
He, his mom and his sister are going along to support Ruohonen in Italy in February.
“He’s gotten second so many times. For him to finally get that one opportunity to finally play in the Olympics is really cool for me and my family,” Nick said.
His dad’s qualification has also encouraged Nick to get back on the ice and share the sport of curling with the world.
Rick Ruohonen practices curling with his son, Nick. He’s pushing the curling stone down the ice so Nick can use the broom to sweep it the rest of the way.
Impact Beyond the Ice
Ruohonen’s day job is an attorney.
In fact, he’s the “R” in TSR, a personal injury firm that most Twin Cities residents are familiar with. He balances that more-than-full-time job with curling, which for him is a labor of love.
“This is really just the culmination of my curling career,” he said. “To be able to go to the Olympics is just phenomenal, and I’m so excited. Whether I’m playing or not– doesn’t matter. I want to do the best we can and put on a good show for the world, and for team USA.”
He hopes that his team can spotlight curling even more, and their success encourages more people to try it.
Ruohonen will travel with his team and family to Milano Cortina in February.
The Winter Olympics run from Feb. 6-22.
