Brad Gushue is back on the ice in St. John’s — and this time it feels like the last ride. The 45-year-old skip has returned to his hometown for what he’s calling his final Brier, a bittersweet week that also marks 20 years since he and his team brought home Olympic gold on Feb. 24, 2006. Between pre-game routines and media moments, he’s mixing competition with reflection.
Who he is and what he’s done
Gushue’s name is carved into Canadian curling: six Brier titles, roughly 15 Grand Slam wins and a pair of Olympic medals. He first exploded onto the world stage at 25, skipping the gold-medal team in Turin alongside Russ Howard, Mark Nichols, Jamie Korab and Mike Adam. Two decades of excellence followed — highlighted by his 2017 Brier win in St. John’s, which shut down classrooms across Newfoundland and Labrador so kids could watch their hometown heroes.
Why he’s stepping away
The fire hasn’t vanished so much as been redirected. Gushue says the relentless grind that used to drive every decision has softened, and family now sits higher on the list. He’d rather exit while still playing at a high level than hang around until the results fade. Central to that choice are his daughters: watching them on the ice brings him a different kind of joy than chasing another title.
Missed chances, not regrets
He admitted there’s some regret — missing another Olympic run stings, and he watched Team Brad Jacobs win gold in Milan with mixed emotions. Still, Gushue is quick to point out the riches curling has given him beyond medals: the travel, the fierce competition and friendships that last a lifetime.
The week’s matchup and expectations
At the Montana’s Brier in St. John’s, he opened against Quebec in the Friday 7:30 p.m. NT draw. He’s confident in his lineup, though he admits a hometown farewell adds an emotional layer that could affect play. Teammates and rivals alike praise him as one of Canada’s best skips and a huge influence on younger players coming up through the ranks.
What’s next
Retirement doesn’t mean fading away. Gushue doesn’t plan to play casual league games; instead, he’s eyeing new professional projects, possible business ventures and supporting his kids’ curling. He’s still chasing one more Brier to close the book on his competitive career — the same competitive spark that lit up Turin in 2006.
For now, the focus is simple: finish this Brier in St. John’s on his terms, soak in the hometown energy and start the next chapter with family front and center.