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Team Gushue posing with Olympic decathlon gold medalist Damian Warner. Photo from the Team Gushue Facebook page.
By Curtis Galbraith
Curling

Team Gushue set to defend Brier title

Mar 3, 2023 | 9:19 AM

Team Gushue will again head into this year’s Brier as Team Canada.

The first draw will start at 5:00 p.m. (MST) Friday in London, Ontario.

Beaverlodge product and Team Gushue lead Geoff Walker will be playing in his 12th Brier in a row.

“It’s still the Brier. It’s still the biggest event on the calendar for the teams. It’s always in a different location, which has been nice for me.”

“I haven’t had one where I’ve been going back to the same location. I get to see a new city. They all have their own stories. I remember parts from every Brier.”

Walker has won four of those Briers, including last year’s edition in Lethbridge.

Team Gushue has had a line-up change since then, with EJ Harden taking over for Brett Gallant at second, he says the change has gone well.

“He’s fit in seamlessly. EJ’s a great guy. He fits in well. He’s similar to us. He has two kids so we’re all dads on the team. Just little things like that.”

“He really fits in well with where we are in our lives, and he’s obviously been around and played in many big games.”

Team Canada plays B.C. in its first game.

The B.C. team includes Dawson Creek product Jason Ginter at second and Fort St John’s Sterling Middleton at third.

Walker says it will be great to see three players from the Peace at the Brier.

“Jason making his Brier debut for B.C., I know he’s probably really excited and I’m excited for him. It should be a lot of fun. He’s going to have a great week.”

“Just for the Peace Region in general it’s amazing. I was that guy at one time coming up when Carter Rycroft was going to many Briers.”

Former Grande Prairie resident Kevin Koe will skip Team Alberta. They will open against Nova Scotia in the Saturday afternoon draw.

by Curtis Galbraith