It’s still kind of hard to believe
The first images are in of the new Team Brad Gushue—with new second Brendan Bottcher in uniform.
Veteran Curling Canada shooter Michael Burns is in Lacombe, Alta. for the start of the Pan Continental Championships and his lens gives us the first glimpses of what is still a surprise for many.
Think about it.
Brett Gallant leaves Team Gushue after multiple Brier titles, a world crown and Olympic bronze. He joins a new super squad built to defeat Gushue for the 2026 Olympic berth.
That squad is skipped by Brendan Bottcher.
Two years later, Gushue has won two more Brier titles and Bottcher is unceremoniously dumped by his mates. Brad Jacobs is lured over from Team Carruthers to replace Bottcher.
Now, E.J. Harnden is out and who has joined Gushue?
Bottcher.
Yes, we all know this short history. But it’s another thing to actually see it, in vivid red and white colour.
There’s no pressure on these guys, either. They’ll talk about the responsibility of wearing the Maple Leaf but since this year’s men’s worlds are hosted in Canada, the host nation already has a berth confirmed. Gushue is in Lacombe to get some games in—and mess up the field.
It's a field that includes the USA, Japan, Korea, Australia, Chinese Taipei and New Zealand.
And China, who missed last year’s event due to Covid travel restrictions.
The top four teams qualify their member nations for the world fours championship.
On the women’s side, Rachel Homan’s foursome does have to qualify Canada for the women’s world shootout.
Their opponents hail from China, USA, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Chinese Taipei and New Zealand.
Those are the men’s and women’s A divisions, and there’s a B division group at these championships, too.
That’s where nations like Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Qatar, Kenya, Nigeria, Brazil, Hong Kong, Philippines, India and Saudi Arabia will continue to compete and gain experience—and hope for a jump to next year’s A division.
The B-siders are underway today, while A division action gets underway on Sunday (Oct. 26) on the Curling Channel, the streaming platform owned by World Curling.
Canadian rights holder TSN declined to partner with the event.