CALGARY, March 7, 2009 -- Three former Canadian men's curling champions were among the winners here on the opening draw of the 2009 Tim Hortons Brier at Saddledome.

Reigning world champion Kevin Martin of Alberta defeated New Brunswick's Russ Howard 7-4; two-time Brier champion Jeff Stoughton of Manitoba defeated Nova Scotia's Mark Dacey 8-3; and Quebec's Jean-Michel Menard, the 2006 Brier champion, spoiled the Brier debut of Saskatchewan's Joel Jordison, dropping Jordison 7-5. In the only other game on the opening draw, PEI's Rod MacDonald beat NWT/Yukon's Jamie Koe 8-2.

A Brier record opening draw crowd of 14,010 had lots to cheer about early as Martin jumped all over Howard, cashing in on a Howard flash with a three-ender in the very first end.

Martin said he was relieved to finally start playing.

"To get out on the ice, the first rock comes down, and then you just relax, away you go," Martin said. "The week prior, it's a lot of work doing the organizing for everybody to come down to Calgary, and once that first rock's thrown you can relax and play.

Dacey, meantime, gave credit to Stoughton in what was a lopsided victory. "We got our ends going, but just couldn't maintain it," said Dacey. "You have to tip your hat to them."

The Brier resumes here this evening when PEI plays Nova Scotia, Ontario plays Newfoundland, BC takes on Northern Ontario and NWT/Yukon plays Manitoba. The draw begins at 6 p.m. MT and will be broadcast live on TSN.