Brad Gushue isn’t focused on records at the Montana’s Brier in Kelowna, B.C., but history is within reach. Another title would make him the first skip to claim four consecutive Brier championships. Alongside vice Mark Nichols and lead Geoff Walker, Gushue is also tied with Randy Ferbey for the most all-time Brier titles at six.
Winning this year’s national championship at Prospera Place would secure an automatic berth in the 2026 playdowns, an opportunity Gushue is eager to seize.
“If I had to pick a main motivator this week, it would be making sure we’re Team Canada in St. John’s next year,” Gushue said. “I think that’s the biggest goal for us, and hopefully, we can make it happen.”
Gushue opened his campaign with a dominant 9-2 win over Newfoundland and Labrador’s Ty Dilello. He first won the Brier in 2017 in a memorable victory in his hometown of St. John’s. Currently ranked fourth in Canada, he is on the bubble for a pre-qualified spot at next year’s event. The season-ending Players’ Championship in April will be crucial in determining final rankings.
“There’s some pressure there for sure … we’ve got to finish the season strong,” Gushue said. “Obviously, if we win here this week, that seals that. If we don’t win, we have to hope that one of the teams ahead of us does.”
If the Brier champion finishes in the top three, the fourth-ranked team will secure the last pre-qualified spot in the 18-team field. Currently, Manitoba’s Matt Dunstone leads the rankings, followed by Alberta’s Brad Jacobs and Saskatchewan’s Mike McEwen. Gushue sits just ahead of Northern Ontario’s John Epping.
“We know there’s a lot on the line,” Gushue said. “We don’t want to have to go through (provincial) playdowns because I know if that happens, there’s going to have to be a ton of adjustments made. Whether it’s one of the (out-of-province) guys fitting the residency rule (or) having to bring in a different player to meet that residency rule. Those are challenges we don’t want to have to face. Finishing the season strong will solve that problem.”
Gushue’s team delivered a strong performance in their opener, taking an early lead and sealing victory with a three-ender in the seventh.
“It was definitely a welcome-to-the-Brier moment out there for sure,” said Dilello, making his nationals debut.
In other results, Manitoba’s Reid Carruthers edged B.C.’s Cameron de Jong 6-5, Northern Ontario’s John Epping defeated New Brunswick’s James Grattan 7-6 in an extra end, and Manitoba’s Matt Dunstone bested Alberta’s Kevin Koe 6-2.
Round-robin play continues through Thursday night, with the final set for March 9.
Source: Swifteradio.com
