USA CURLING NAMES BRAD GUSHUE AS HIGH PERFORMANCE DIRECTOR
Winner of Olympic Gold and Bronze, World Championship Will Lead Elite Athlete Programs and Development Pathways
[EDEN PRAIRIE, MN, May 13, 2026] — On the heels of a successful 2026 Games in Cortina, USA Curling has tapped Brad Gushue to further elevate high performance efforts in the next quadrennial and on the road to the 2034 home Games in Salt Lake City.
The longtime Canadian competitor and native of the province of Newfoundland & Labrador will oversee the organization’s high-performance strategy, athlete development pathways, and national team operations. Gushue has an impressive pedigree—Olympic gold and bronze medals, seven times a national champion in Canada, a World Men’s title, 18 Grand Slam of Curling victories, and a long run as the skip of the #1 ranked team in the world. After retiring from competition at the end of this past season, he will now bring his unique understanding of the sport to USA Curling.
When asked about his decision-making process, Gushue said, “This role felt like a natural fit, and positions like this don’t come along all that often in the sport of curling. It is an opportunity to stay close to the sport and make a meaningful impact in a new way. I’m excited to work alongside athletes and coaches to help them reach their full potential. Curling is a close-knit, international community, and I’m proud to play a part in strengthening it and driving the sport forward,” said Gushue.
“Brad’s competitive resume and knowledge of the game are well-known, but he brings other qualities and skills that are essential in this position,” said USA Curling CEO Dean Gemmell. “He has extensive experience as a manager of business operations and as a leader of teams both on and off the ice. We are thrilled to welcome him as we work to achieve the kind of international success that builds the sport at every level.”
As the High Performance Director, Gushue will collaborate closely with athletes, coaches, and support staff to align practice and training systems, identify talent, introduce additional sport science, and guide competition planning across the men’s, women’s, mixed doubles, wheelchair, and junior programs. His mandate includes expanding the athlete pipeline, advancing coach education, and building a high-performance culture that delivers podium results at world championships and Olympic Games.
“I’m energized by the opportunities,” added Gushue. “The United States has an exciting talent pool and the strong performances across all disciplines at the Olympics and Paralympics have generated momentum. I look forward to working with the players, coaches, and staff to build a world-class system—one that is centered on performance, accountability, and athlete well-being.”
Gemmell noted, “As the most recent Olympics and Paralympics illustrated, inspiring play by American teams on the biggest international stages fuels interest and growth at the grassroots level. Our commitment to podium results complements our efforts to bring new people into the sport, spur the construction of curling-specific facilities around the country, provide more resources to our Member Clubs, and generate more sponsorship revenue.”
Pete Annis will continue as the Director of Wheelchair Curling. Phill Drobnick, who served as National Team Director through a Cortina Games that saw Team USA deliver its best collective results across all curling disciplines, will move into a newly created Coaching & Competitions Director role. He will work closely with Gushue to develop and deliver a coach education curriculum that helps foster the next generation of talent.
“Prior to the Games, Phill told me he wanted to step away from his day-to-day role working with teams and was looking for a new opportunity,” Gemmell remarked. “I am excited the organization will benefit from his talents in a new way, and I look forward to the launch of a comprehensive coaching program.”
Gushue will remain based in Newfoundland and Labrador while fulfilling his responsibilities in the role. His focus in the first few weeks will be on athlete conversations, the development of program objectives, and planning for next season. He will attend the Emerging Talent Showcase at Rock Creek Curling in Lafayette, CO, this weekend.
About USA Curling
Founded in 1958 and headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, USA Curling is the National Governing body for the Olympic sport of curling and the Paralympic sport of wheelchair curling in the United States. The mission of USA Curling is to grow, strengthen, and advocate for the Olympic and Paralympic sport of curling in the United States by prioritizing accessibility and programmatic development from grassroots to podium. USA Curling is sponsored by Columbia Sportswear, the Dale’s family of beers, Twin Cities Orthopedics, Training HAUS, Ice, Sports & Solar (ISS), Rock Solid Productions, Jet Ice, and Laurie Artiss. USA Curling is a proud member of World Curling and the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee. To learn more, visit usacurling.org.
