DOUBLE TROUBLE

REGINA — Peter Gallant is not the first dad to sit in the stands and watch two sons play for two different provinces, with Brent playing for Team Canada and Christopher playing for P.E.I.

Fred Koe has been doing that for years, with sons Kevin and Jamie. Bill Howard did it before him, with his boys Russ and Glenn.

“I guess I’d be the first to do it with boys in two different pools,” said Gallant, the 58-year-old father who has taken a seat in the stands for every draw of the 89th Brier so far, although Christopher will be going home soon after failing to advance to the championship round.

“After skipping in my last Brier in Winnipeg in 2008, Brett was at an age when he need coaching. So that’s when I became a coach.”

You’d think after playing in nine Biers for P.E.I. he’d have loved his son to follow and maybe lead the potato province where it had never been before.

“No, when he had the chance to play with Brad Gushue, he wasn’t going to say no. I encouraged it, for sure. There was no way you’d want to discourage it. He was never going to be able to develop a team in P.E.I. that could compete. It’s been great for him. He really developed as a curler.”

Christopher, also a second, is a former P.E.I. junior champion and Canadian university champion.

“He’s kind of grown up in Brett’s shadow. Brett was always the curler. Chris was always a kid that played every sport. He was good at every sport but not the star on any of them. He was the second-line centre in hockey. He went to the Canada Games playing table tennis.

“It’s his first Brier and a big thrill for me. Just for him to experience playing in a Brier before the big crowds and with all the atmosphere is wonderful.”