As the 2026 Montana’s Brier kicks off in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, curling legend Brad Gushue prepares for his 23rd and final appearance at the national men’s championship. The 45-year-old skip, who won Olympic gold in 2006, aims to cap his career with a record seventh Tankard on home ice. Defending champions Team Jacobs arrive fresh from their own Olympic triumph in Milano Cortina.
The 99th Montana’s Brier begins Friday evening at Mary Brown’s Centre, with Gushue’s Newfoundland and Labrador team facing Quebec at 7:30 p.m. NT. Gushue, reflecting on the 20th anniversary of his 2006 Olympic gold in Turin, Italy, expressed a mix of pride and anticipation. “I think he would be very proud that we checked everything off that board,” he said of his younger self’s vision board, noting achievements like six Brier titles, 15 Grand Slam wins, and two Olympic medals.
Gushue’s career highlights include leading Canada to gold in 2006 alongside Russ Howard, Mark Nichols, Jamie Korab, and Mike Adam, defeating Finland in the final. Schools in Newfoundland closed for the February 24 victory, marking the province’s first Olympic gold. After the win, Gushue called his mother, Maureen, who was undergoing cancer treatment. Now, he anticipates an emotional week: “What I’m nervous about is just how I’m going to handle the week. I think it’s going to be a very emotional week for me.”
Team Jacobs, ranked No. 1 in Canada, defends their 2025 title after securing Olympic gold with a 9-6 victory over Great Britain’s Bruce Mouat. Skip Brad Jacobs addressed controversy from the games, where third Marc Kennedy faced double-touching accusations: “For anyone who called us cheaters... I hope that the image of us standing on top of the podium... is burned into your brain forever.” The team overcame adversity to claim Canada’s first four-person curling gold since 2014.
The 18-team field splits into two pools, with top three from each advancing to playoffs. Other notables include four-time champion Kevin Koe in his 14th Brier, two-time finalist Matt Dunstone seeking his first win, and rookies Jayden King—the first Black skip in Brier history—and Braden Calvert. Retirements loom for Quebec’s Jean-Michel Ménard and Manitoba’s E.J. Harnden. The winner represents Canada at the World Men’s Curling Championship in Ogden, Utah, from March 27 to April 4. Gushue, now prioritizing family, looks forward to watching his daughters curl post-retirement.
