Curling Legend Brad Gushue Announces Final Season After Unprecedented Career
Two-time Olympic medallist and record-breaking Brier champion will retire following 2026 championship in hometown St. John’s
September 17, 2025 – One of curling’s most decorated athletes is preparing for his final bow. Brad Gushue, the 45-year-old Newfoundland skip whose career spans two decades of dominance on ice, announced Wednesday that he will retire from competitive curling following the upcoming season.
The announcement, delivered via social media video, brings closure to a remarkable journey that has redefined excellence in Canadian curling and established Gushue as arguably the greatest men’s skip in the sport’s modern era.
A Career Without Equal
Gushue’s decision comes from a place of fulfillment rather than frustration. Having achieved virtually every goal possible in competitive curling, he expressed satisfaction with a career that has exceeded even his own ambitious expectations.
“I feel like I’m among the lucky few who can say they’ve achieved them,” Gushue reflected in his retirement announcement. “That’s given me the confidence to make this decision now. To leave on a high note with no regrets, no challenge left unanswered, and no expectation unmet.”
The statistics alone tell the story of an extraordinary career. Gushue holds the record for most national men’s curling championships, capturing six Brier titles across a career that has seen him compete in 21 Briers representing Team Newfoundland and Labrador, Team Canada, or as a wild card entry.
Olympic Glory and Global Success
Gushue’s international resume reads like a curling hall of fame biography. He made history in 2006 by capturing Olympic gold in Turin, then added bronze in Beijing in 2022 – making him one of only a handful of curlers to medal in multiple Olympics.
His World Championship success has been equally impressive, earning five medals at the World Men’s Curling Championship. On the professional circuit, Gushue has claimed 15 Grand Slam victories, cementing his status among the elite performers on curling’s most competitive stage.
Perfect Farewell Setting
In what seems like destiny, Gushue’s final Brier will take place on home soil in St. John’s, beginning February 27, 2026. The homecoming provides a storybook ending to a career that began in Newfoundland and Labrador and has brought immense pride to the province.
The current Gushue lineup features a blend of longtime teammates and newer additions. Lead Geoff Walker, second Brendan Bottcher, and third Mark Nichols – who shared in Gushue’s 2006 Olympic gold triumph – will complete the final chapter alongside their veteran skip.
Beyond Competition
While stepping away from competitive play, Gushue emphasized his desire to remain connected to the sport that has defined much of his adult life. He expressed excitement about exploring new opportunities off the ice, suggesting his retirement from competition doesn’t signal the end of his involvement in curling.
The decision also reflects Gushue’s priorities as a family man. He cited a desire to spend more time with his family as a key factor in his retirement timing, acknowledging the significant time commitments required to compete at curling’s highest levels.
Legacy of Excellence
Gushue’s career has transcended individual achievement, elevating the profile of curling both in Newfoundland and across Canada. His success has inspired a generation of young curlers and demonstrated that geographic location need not limit athletic ambition.
The team plans to address media Thursday at 2 p.m. NT, where they’ll likely elaborate on their final season goals and reflect on a partnership that has produced unprecedented success.
The Final Season
As Gushue prepares for his farewell tour, the curling world will watch with appreciation for a competitor who has consistently performed at the sport’s highest level. His final season promises to be both celebration and competition, as he aims to add one more chapter to an already legendary career.
For a sport built on precision, strategy, and resilience, Brad Gushue has embodied all these qualities while establishing new standards for excellence. His retirement marks the end of an era, but his influence on Canadian curling will endure long after his final stone comes to rest.
