Brad Gushue described as “Mount Rushmore” skip in curling

ST. JOHN’S — Six-time Canadian men’s curling champion Brad Gushue played his final Brier in his hometown of St. John’s, N.L.

His team was eliminated Saturday in a 7-5 playoff loss to Brad Jacobs.

Competitors gave their thoughts during the tournament on what the world and Olympic champion has done for the sport of curling:

“He has forced everyone to keep up. The quality of play of the top Canadian and world teams that you see is largely in part of what he has done over the last 20 years. You’re just hanging on for dear life trying to keep with him because of the bar that he set. I see him as a leader in our sport in every way possible.” – Matt Dunstone

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“He’s the most accomplished curler there is. Six Briers, a couple Olympic medals and worlds, I mean no one’s won more. He’ll go out on top as one of the best ever. It’s fitting that this is where it ends for him.” – Alberta skip Kevin Koe

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“I respect the fact that he’s been one of the most passionate, dedicated players that our sport has ever seen. I know that for a fact and he’s just helped push and raise the bar to new levels throughout his career.” – Olympic champion skip Brad Jacobs

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“Proof is a word that I’ve used because it’s not like he was born with a broom and a curling rock in his hand. It was totally built from scratch from Newfoundland and he became the best in the world. It’s not an easy thing to do. But if he can do it, we believe we can do it and others can do it.” – Newfoundland and Labrador skip Nathan Young

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“He’s meant a lot to curling in this country, especially to curling in small towns and curling in smaller provinces. I’m 23 and he’s played 23 Briers, so for my whole entire life, he has just been a staple on the curling scene. It’s been really kind of nice to go full circle this week, get to play him and get to kind of learn from him and see him in his send-off Brier.” – Ontario skip Jayden King.

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“He’s a Mount Rushmore skip in our game. There’s probably a great debate of who those four would be on Mount Rushmore, but you would have to put on the guy who has won the most Briers as a skip for sure.” – Curling Canada CEO and former Gushue competitor Nolan Thiessen.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 7, 2026.