That Curling Show: Canadian men ramp up for the Brier; Colin Hodgson announces retirement

After a dramatic Scotties that saw high-scoring, wild momentum swings and Kerri Einarson's foursome win a fourth consecutive title, it's now time for Canada's men's curlers to take to the pebbled ice for the Brier.

Eighteen of the top men's teams from across the country are gathering in London, Ont., for the national championship — this year's field is as strong as ever with many of the best names in the game competing. 

Teams are split into two pools of nine teams and will play each other once. After the eight-game round robin the top-three teams advance to the playoffs. The championship game is slated for Sunday, Mar. 12 at the Budweiser Gardens. 

Gushue and Kevin Koe are both attempting to win what would be a record-breaking fifth Brier championship as a skip, the most all-time.

"The guys came here to St. John's for a few days of practice before we head to London," Gushue said on That Curling Show. 

"There will be some game rust to shake off but we're all anxious to get going."

Gushue has played less events this season after a grueling last year. He won bronze at the Olympics before going on an epic Brier run that was completed with just three players after third Mark Nichols got COVID-19 late in the competition.

Gushue says he's needed a bit of a break this season to recharge and spend time with family. 

Last month he was able to attend the U18 and U16 events that his daughters were competing in — they both ended up playing at the U16 event and met in the semifinal game. 

"It was awesome and awful at the same time," Gushue said, pointing out how stressful it was on him and his wife.

"The semifinal game was wild. My one daughter was up three, then the other daughter scored six to go up three. Then my other daughter