Brad Gushue's career comes to a close as he's eliminated from Brier contention

Brad Gushue broke down as his wife walked on the ice and threw her arms around him. Tears rolled down his cheeks as he hugged each of his family members one by one — a thank you for the role they played in his career.

A career that came to an end on Saturday afternoon in St. John's.

Gushue's Team Newfoundland and Labrador lost to Team Canada in a hard-fought 7-5 playoff battle at the Brier, dashing all hope of a storybook ending.

The crowd of more than 6,000 adoring fans sent him off in proper fashion — with a standing ovation and more than a few tears themselves.

"That was special to me," Gushue told reporters afterwards. "That was a memory I'll have for the rest of my life."

Gushue came into the 2026 Brier knowing it would be his last. He said he was at peace with his decision, but questions crept into his mind at times over the playoff weekend — could this be it? Will this be the last shot?

The final rock came against a longtime rival. Gushue and Team Canada's Brad Jacobs have faced each other 69 times over the span of 18 years, their records nearly even.

It was also fitting that it came in front of a hometown crowd, in the place where Gushue was born and raised. He could have left the province, like many other athletes, chasing bigger opportunities and stiffer competition. But he stayed.

Newfoundland and Labrador has rewarded him, rooting for him every step of the way — from becoming the first person from the province to win Olympic gold, to winning his first Brier on home ice in 2017, and winning his second Olympic medal in 2022.

The culmination of those accomplishments and his dedication to home was evident in the support he received in Saturday's roaring ovation.

"I'm going to miss this," Gushue said. "Yeah, I'm