Team Gushue splits with second E.J. Harnden
Team Brad Gushue has parted ways with second E.J. Harnden.
The St. John’s, N.L., team made the announcement Thursday on social media.
The No. 2-ranked team in the world — which also includes third Mark Nichols and lead Geoff Walker — begins its search for a replacement.
“We are grateful for E.J.’s unwavering commitment and the tremendous impact he has made on our team,” skip Brad Gushue said in a release. “We wish him all the best in the future.”
Harnden previously played with his cousin Brad Jacobs and captured the 2014 Olympic gold medal, the 2013 Brier title and seven Grand Slam of Curling championships.
He joined Gushue in 2022 at the start of the quadrennial and won back-to-back Brier titles and world championship silver medals plus two Grand Slams. The 41-year-old from Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., also earned silver with the squad at the 2022 world championship as the alternate.
“It has been an incredible journey with Team Gushue,” Harnden said in the release. “I am proud of what we’ve accomplished together, and I wish Brad, Mark and Geoff the very best. To everyone who supports Team Gushue, I can’t thank you enough for your warm welcome. The support this team has is special, and it was incredible to experience that passion. I look forward to what lies ahead, both personally and professionally.”
Team Gushue has played three events this season reaching the semifinals of the Stu Sells Oakville Tankard and finishing runner-up in the PointsBet Invitational and HearingLife Tour Challenge.