Canadian curling legend Brad Gushue reflected on his team’s remarkable consistency as a top contender in the sport over the past two decades. Gushue expressed pride in maintaining performance levels amidst the evolving landscape of curling. The 45-year-old skip from St. John’s, N.L., recently announced that the 2025-26 season would mark his retirement from competitive curling.
In a heartfelt video message, Gushue cited family and personal milestones as key factors in his decision to step back from the sport. Despite the emotional nature of his announcement, he emphasized the positive impact of his curling journey. Gushue, a decorated athlete, boasts Olympic gold from the 2006 Turin Games, a bronze medal from the 2022 Beijing Games, a world championship victory in 2017, and 15 Grand Slam titles.
Gushue’s decision to retire was shared with his team members, including Mark Nichols, Brendan Bottcher, and Geoff Walker, at a recent training camp. Nichols, acknowledging the bittersweet news, expressed full support for Gushue’s choice and highlighted the upcoming season’s significance, especially with the Trials and the hometown Brier on the horizon.
The upcoming 2026 Brier in St. John’s holds special importance for Gushue, who clinched his first Canadian men’s title in the same venue in 2017. Gushue’s team has also secured a spot in the Canadian Curling Trials in Halifax, with the winner representing Canada at the Milan/Cortina Olympics. Despite uncertainties about his post-curling plans, Gushue looks forward to a motivated final season alongside his dedicated team.
Gushue and his teammates are set to commence their competitive season at the AMJ Masters in London, Ont., showcasing their skills as they prepare for the challenges ahead.
