Newfoundland teams undefeated on Day One of 2026 Brier

The Newfoundland contingent got the home crowd roaring on the opening day of the 2026 Montana’s Brier at the Mary Brown’s Centre in St. John’s on Friday.

With just one draw highlighting Day One action, it was the home province who got the crowd rocking. 

St. John’s native Brad Gushue picked up a pair of points in the first end and never looked back as he, Mark Nichols, Brendan Bottcher and Geoff Walker curled a combined 88 per cent as Team Gushue defeated Team Menard from Quebec 10-2.

On Sheet A, NL’s Nathan Young pulled away from Team Samagalski from Nunavut with a four-ender in the ninth end to claim an 8-4 win in their first match of the tournament. 

Elsewhere in Draw One, Team Jayden King from Ontario defeated Team Kendal Thompson from Nova Scotia 11-4, and the reigning Olympic champs Team Brad Jacobs picked up their first win of the week dressing just three players, defeating Team Tyler Smith of Prince Edward Island. 

SATURDAY SCHEDULE

The action ramps up at the Mary Brown’s Centre on Saturday with two draws taking place at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

In Draw Two at 2:30 p.m., Team Jamie Koe from the Northwest Territories will be taking on Mike McEwen and Team Saskatchewan. 

Alberta’a Kevin Koe will face Manitoba’s Braden Calvert, James Grattan from New Brunswick will face Matt Dunstone’s Manitoba rink, and Northern Ontario’s Sandy MacEwen will clash with Thomas Scoffin and Team Yukon.

Both Newfoundland-based teams are back in action In Draw Three at 7:30 p.m., as Team Gushue will face Team Nunavut and Derek Samagalski, while Nathan Young’s squad will face Quebec’s Jean-Michel Menard.

Elsewhere in Draw Three, Brad Jacobs and Team Canada will square off against Saskatchewan’s Kelly Knapp, and Ontario’s Team King will face Prince Edward Island’s Team Smith.