Brad Gushue Prepares for Emotional Brier Return in Hometown

Decorated Canadian curler Brad Gushue is gearing up for an emotional return to the Brier in his hometown of St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. This edition of the Brier, starting on Friday, marks his last appearance in the tournament.

Brad Gushue’s Legacy in Curling

At 45 years old, Gushue is recognized as a six-time Canadian champion, world champion, and an Olympic gold and bronze medallist. His inaugural victory at the Brier in St. John’s in 2017 was a pivotal moment in his career. It propelled his team to greater achievements in the following years.

Emotional Stakes

Gushue expressed the high emotional stakes of this year’s Brier. He aims to perform well before his home crowd but acknowledges the difficulty of keeping his emotions in check. “If we don’t win, this is the last event; there are going to be some emotions,” Gushue stated.

Competition Details

The Brier features an 18-team field. Gushue opens against Quebec’s Jean-Michel Menard, while defending champions skipped by Brad Jacobs will face Tyler Smith from Prince Edward Island.

• Opening Matches:
  • Brad Gushue vs. Jean-Michel Menard (Quebec)
  • Brad Jacobs vs. Tyler Smith (P.E.I.)
• Playoff Structure:
  • Top three teams from each pool of nine will advance.
  • The final victor will represent Canada at the men’s world championship in Ogden, Utah, from March 27 to April 4.

Riding on Olympic Success

Brad Gushue’s team is coming off a recent Olympic gold medal win in Cortina, Italy, just before the Brier. Despite the quick turnaround, team member Brett Gallant remains optimistic about the upcoming challenges. “I’ve been really looking forward to this Brier,” he remarked.

A Historic Brier

This Brier will also see significant milestones, including Ontario’s Jayden King, who will be the first Black man to skip a team. King’s third, Dylan Niepage, is deaf and wears cochlear implants, bringing additional representation to the sport.

As Gushue prepares for what he describes as his “swan song,” he reflects on the journey of his team. He hopes to leave a lasting legacy and aims for a storybook ending by capturing one final Brier title.

Conclusion

With emotions running high, Brad Gushue’s last appearance at the Brier promises to be a memorable event for both the athlete and fans. This showcase of talent and emotion will undoubtedly mark a significant chapter in Canadian curling history.