(by Graham Lloyd)

Brad Gushue earned the distinction of winning Canada’s first Olympic gold medal in men’s curling with a victory at the 2006 Games in Turin, Italy. Now he leads his new team into Kitchener for the 2013 Capital One Road to the Roar, presented by Monsanto, with hopes of adding to his medal collection.

Brad Gushue (Photo Michael Burns)

Gushue is part of the 24-team field, including 12 men’s and 12 women’s teams, that will be competing Nov. 5-10 in the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex for the final berths in the 2013 Tim Hortons Roar of the Rings, presented by Monsanto.

Two teams of each gender will move on from Kitchener to the Canadian Curling Trials, Dec. 1-8 in Winnipeg, where Canada’s representatives will be decided for the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia.

Gushue heads into the Pre-Trials event on a confident note after winning seven straight games to take the championship title at last weekend’s Challenge Chateau Cartier de Gatineau with teammates Brett Gallant, Adam Casey and Geoff Walker.

“We’ve had a pretty good year,” said the skip, hailing from St. John’s, NL. “We’ve won two ‘spiels… we’ve had some low points as well, but overall we’ve been playing pretty well. Hopefully that continues in Kitchener.”

In the run to the Gatineau title, Gushue defeated Rob Rumfeldt and Brad Jacobs, two teams he’ll be facing again at the Road to the Roar.

“It’s nice to beat those guys, and it probably gives us a bit more confidence, but I don’t put too much on it. Past wins don’t mean that much really. We know they’re capable of beating us in any given game.”

After living the Olympic dream once in a competitive career that also includes 10 appearances at the Brier, Gushue said there’s added inspiration to return. “Absolutely, I know what it’s like to wear the maple leaf and march out in the opening ceremony… and to win the gold medal. It’s definitely something I want to do again.

“I think my experience in winning the 2005 Trials, and going on to win the gold medal, will help our team. But the challenge of getting to this year’s Trials in Winnipeg is definitely not an easy one. We’re going to have to play extremely well and hopefully get a little bit of luck along the way.”

“You Gotta Be There” for the 2013 Capital One Road to the Roar when 24 of Canada’s top teams take their last shot at Olympic glory. Prime seats in the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex are available now by clicking here.

Brad Gushue, PEI natives Brett Gallant and Adam Casey, and Geoff Walker (Photo Michael Burns)

Reposted from the CCA website. Click to view at www.curling.ca