Gushue needs more time to rehab hip
Veteran skip Brad Gushue is brimming with cautious optimism as he weighs in on when his injured left hip might be ready for him to return to the ice.
He has felt much better over the last two weeks and now feels comfortable enough to schedule some on-ice testing. Gushue also has his eye on the calendar as he considers some dates for when he might get back in the lineup.
First up is an on-ice session next week in St. John’s, N.L., to see if Gushue can slide and throw stones. If he can duplicate the curling delivery that he feels comfortable doing on dry land, Gushue could return at the Nov. 8-13 Tour Challenge, although the Nov. 30-Dec. 4 Canada Cup might be more realistic.
“At least I have the confidence now that I’m trending in the right direction and probably doing the right things,” Gushue said Monday from St. John’s.
The last few months have been quite frustrating for the 36-yearold skip. Gushue had never missed a competition due to injury in his 18 years on tour before the hip problem forced him to skip the first six events of this season.
“It’s strange for me,” he said. “It’s different. It’s tough mentally, but hopefully now I’m on the right end of it and it won’t be too much longer.”
Team Gushue, which also includes Mark Nichols, Geoff Walker and Brett Gallant, will use substitute Charley Thomas at The Masters this week in Okotoks, Alta. Gushue plans to meet with his teammates next week to determine how they’ll proceed for the next month or two.
Stakes are higher than normal this season with the 2017 Tim Hortons Brier being played in Gushue’s hometown and the Olympic trials a little more than a year away.
The 2006 Olympic champion dealt with some hip pain last season and met over the summer with a hip specialist, who said surgery wouldn’t be needed to repair what he believed to be a muscle and alignment issue. Gushue has kept busy with regular physiotherapy sessions, stretching routines, massage therapy and gym work.
He tried a few slides at clubs in the Toronto area this month, but couldn’t put a normal amount of pressure on his hip. But his recent progress off the ice has him eager to try again.
Gushue is very cognizant of the risks of coming back too early. The 36-year-old is determined to address the issue so it doesn’t return while also keeping a positive outlook.
Despite Gushue’s absence, his team picked up a victory at the recent Stu Sells Toronto Tankard and remains in top spot on the World Curling Tour’s Order of Merit. Nichols, the regular third, has handled skip duties so far this season.
Gushue guided his team to three Grand Slam victories last season and a silver medal at the national playdowns.