Gushue expresses displeasure with curling podcast regarding reports

Brad Gushue wasn't thrilled when reports about his curling team's lineup plans surfaced this week.

What really set him off though were comments made on a curling podcast that suggested he was trying "to convince" Curling Canada to change its residency rule for his team's benefit.

"That is completely inaccurate, reckless and stupid for them to say that because that's not the case at all," Gushue said.

On a Friday podcast titled "Breakups and Shakeups," the hosts also discussed Team Gushue's recent addition of E.J. Harnden as an alternate and second Brett Gallant's departure plan, which the team formally announced a day later.

Martin said Team Gushue was trying to pick up Harnden at second but the federation's residency rule limiting teams to one import player was an issue.

"Brad, I think now, is trying to convince Curling Canada to adjust the rule to do something for them on their behalf," Hansen said on the podcast. "But to some degree, it's a problem."

Gushue, who won Olympic bronze and a Brier title this season, did a series of media interviews after the team confirmed Gallant would be leaving the team at the end of the season.

In a phone interview with The Canadian Press, Gushue detailed his interaction with the federation.

"When I heard the rumours of Brett leaving months ago, I contacted Curling Canada to see what the plans for the residency rule in the future were," he said. "That's been my only communication with Curling Canada. So for [the] narrative to come out that I'm lobbying and pushing is just completely inaccurate and malicious to be quite honest.

In a text message, Hansen said Martin would be available to speak on the matter later Sunday. When reached in the afternoon, Martin said the comment had no