Decorated curler Brad Gushue braces for big Brier feelings in his hometown

Curling drama didn't end with the Olympic Games.

The Brier, starting Friday in his hometown of St. John's, will be the last for decorated skip Brad Gushue.

The 45-year-old is a six-time Canadian champion, world champion and an Olympic gold and bronze medallist.

Gushue's first Brier victory in St. John's in 2017 wasn't just electric. It also launched his team to more success in the ensuing years.

So, this year’s Canadian championship will also be packed with emotion for Gushue.

"I want to perform well in front of everybody at home, and I also don't want to cry every single game," Gushue said. "That's where my head is at right now is trying to make sure I don't do that.

"Just the finality of it now, if we don't win, this is the last event, there's going to be some emotions. I believe the fans are going to show their appreciation at times and that's going get me pretty emotional, too."

Looking back with curling great Brad Gushue before he shoots for his last on-ice win

The defending champions, skipped by Brad Jacobs, play their first game Friday at Mary Brown's Centre less than a week after beating Great Britain for Olympic gold in Cortina, Italy.

Third Marc Kennedy inspired multiple memes on social media early in the Milan-Cortina Games after his profanity-laced response to Swedish third Oskar Eriksson's contention that the Canadian "double-touched" a delivered stone.

Gushue opens Friday against Quebec's Jean-Michel Menard, while Jacobs starts against Prince Edward Island's Tyler Smith in the 18-team field.

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Other storylines in St. John's include Ontario's Jayden King, who will be the first Black man to skip a team. King's third Dylan Niepage