Brad Gushue’s Journey to Curling Success: A Family Affair
LAS VEGAS — Brad Gushue, a name synonymous with curling, is renowned for his skill in guiding granite stones down icy lanes with precision. Fans worldwide recognize him as a master of the sport, but there was a time when his curling career almost didn’t happen.
Brad’s father, Ray Gushue, initially had no interest in his son pursuing curling. A lifelong hockey enthusiast, Ray envisioned Brad excelling on the ice rink, not the curling sheet. He couldn’t imagine a Canadian kid dreaming of becoming an elite curler.
“I never wanted him to curl. I wanted him to play hockey,” Ray admitted from his seat at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.
Growing up in St. John’s, Brad played hockey, and as another season approached, everything changed. His mother, Maureen, recalled the pivotal moment they informed Ray that Brad was trading his skates for a curling broom.
“It was September, just before the hockey season,” Maureen said. “Ray had just bought new skates and equipment for Brad, but I knew Brad wasn’t interested anymore.”
Despite Maureen’s warnings, Ray spent over $1,000 on new hockey gear, determined to see his son continue in the sport. But after attending only a couple of practices, Brad, then 13, made it clear he was done with hockey. The decision didn’t go over well with Ray.
“I remember him throwing the hockey equipment down the stairs, cursing, and walking off,” Brad recalled with a smile. “Mom had to calm him down.”
Looking back, Ray now sees it as the best decision ever made.
“His mom won, as usual. It was the best move they ever made. I would have never seen as much of the world if it wasn’t for this,” he reflected.
Brad admits it took some time for his dad to warm up to curling, but winning certainly helped.
“I still tease him about it. At the time, he wasn’t happy about me switching to a sport he knew nothing about. Curling wasn’t part of our family history. My sister and I are the first generation curlers.”
Now, nearly 25 years since Brad first got serious about curling, his parents have been by his side every step of the way.
Today, Ray is proudly known as “Brad’s dad,” a title he wears on a special shirt. The journey has been filled with highs and lows, but Maureen’s pride remains strong.
“I sometimes sit and watch, thinking, is that really my son?” she said, noting that Brad’s 2017 Brier win in St. John’s was one of her proudest moments, alongside his 2006 Olympic gold medal victory.
Ray, on the other hand, cherishes Brad’s win at the Olympic trials in Halifax, a victory that came during a challenging time for the family as Maureen battled cancer.
“There was a lot of stress with Maureen’s illness, but Brad handled it all so well,” Ray said.
Brad’s perspective on his curling journey has also evolved. No longer solely focused on winning, he now values the memories made with his family during competitions.
“Sometimes it’s not about winning but the experiences with your team and family during the week,” Brad said. “In 20 years, we might not remember a specific loss or win, but we’ll remember the laughs by the pool.”
As Brad competes for a second consecutive world curling championship in Las Vegas, his mother remains confident in his chances.
“He’s still got the fire in him. He still wants to win and really doesn’t like losing,” Maureen said.
