The last time Brad Gushue played in the Challenge Casino du Lac-Leamy de Gatineau he curled with Randy Ferbey.

Gushue is just one prominent skip participating in the 2011 event this week, joining other Brier-experienced skips such as the Sault’s Brad Jacobs, Quebec’s Jean Michel-Menard, Guy Hemmings and Serge Reid, and Halifax’s Ian Fitzner-Leblanc. Reid is the defending champion and counts himself among the cashspiel’s 41 Brier players.

Brad Gushue, pictured representing Newfoundland and Labrador at the 2011 Brier, returns to play the Challenge Casino du Lac-Leamy de Gatineau this week. (DEREK RUTTAN/QMI AGENCY FILE PHOTO)

Add the likes of Toronto’s Mike Harris and cagey local skippers like Bryan Cochrane, the surging Chris Gardner and Howard Rajala, and there’s no telling who’s going to make the final. P.E.I.’s Brett Gallant, the 2009 Canadian junior champion, could also make some noise.

Click for full story in the Ottawa Sun.