October 8, 2026
Olympic gold medallist and six-time Brier champion Brad Gushue recently shared his perspective on a significant rule change in competitive curling, offering insight into the importance of maintaining four-player teams as the sport continues to evolve.
In a recent article published by TSN and The Canadian Press, Gushue expressed support for new regulations introduced by World Curling and adopted by Curling Canada that require teams to begin each game with four players. The change eliminates the option for teams to compete with three players throughout a game, with limited exceptions for players who must temporarily leave the ice.
Having famously captured the 2022 Brier championship with just three players after teammate Mark Nichols was sidelined, Gushue brings a unique perspective to the discussion. While acknowledging the competitive advantages and challenges of playing with a reduced lineup, he emphasized the importance of professionalism, consistency, and preserving the team-based nature of the sport.
Now serving as High-Performance Director for USA Curling, Gushue continues to contribute to the development of curling beyond his competitive career, bringing decades of experience and leadership to conversations shaping the sport's future.
Read the full article on TSN.