Bottcher to debut with Gushue rink on Sunday at Pan Continental curling event

Longtime skip Brendan Bottcher will be wearing Canada colours when he makes his return to the four-player game with Team Gushue at the upcoming Pan Continental curling championship.

Bottcher is the new second for the St. John's-based team, which parted ways with E.J. Harnden earlier this month.

"I'm excited to get out there at the Pan Continental," Bottcher said. "I'm excited to be a part of the team and I'm excited to get moving. I think the team just has all the upside in the world."

The seven-day competition begins Sunday in Lacombe, Alta. The event serves as the Americas and Pacific-Asia zone qualifier for the world championships.

Skip Brad Gushue, vice Mark Nichols and lead Geoff Walker surprised many curling observers with their in-season lineup change.

Harnden is considered one of the best sweepers in the game and helped them win back-to-back national men's titles. Bottcher, meanwhile, who won a Brier in 2021, is an elite shot maker but has little sweeping experience.

It's a roll of the dice that Gushue's side was comfortable with as the third-ranked team looks to build toward the Canadian Curling Trials in just over a year.

"Our goal and our hope is that we're going to be playing in big games, whether it's at the Brier or at the trials and hopefully at the worlds and the Olympics," Gushue said in a recent interview.

"Playing in those big games is an adjustment for a lot of players. Brendan has been there and done that and has a ton of experience.

WATCH | Team Gushue loses in the final of the HearingLife Tour Challenge:

Team Gushue loses in the final of the HearingLife Tour Challenge

"Certainly, when we get into those big games as we move forward, he's not going to be star-struck or a deer in the headlights.