Some of the best curlers in Canada are going to be rolling into Grande Prairie next week to take part in the Home Hardware Canada Cup of Curling. A few of those curlers are homegrown talent from right here in the Peace Country, including Beaverlodge’s Geoff Walker. Walker, who plays lead for team Brad Gushue, says he’s looking forward curling in Grande Prairie again.
“It’s been a while since I’ve been able to play in Grande Prairie. I know I got to play there in 2011 at the Players Championship in the Canada Games Arena when I was filling in for team. I haven’t played there since so I’m really excited, I’m going to have a lot of family and friends in the stands, it’ll be awesome.”
Walker was born and raised in Beaverlodge and lived in Grande Prairie for a few years before moving to Newfoundland where he now lives. Walker says team Gushue is feeling confident going into the Canada Cup as they have been having a pretty successful season so far.
“We’ve been very successful, we’ve won six events of the nine we’ve played in now and I don’t think we could ask for anything more, really. We’re all playing really well and we’re confident going into Grande Prairie.”
Team Gushue is currently the number 1 ranked men’s team in the country. Walker says they are aiming to win the tournament, though he adds they don’t want to underestimate the other seven teams they are up against.
Gushue is one of three curlers with ties the the Peace Country that will be on the ice next week. The Pat Simmons rink has Grande Prairie native Carter Rycroft playing second, while Grande Prairie resident Tom Sallows will be playing alternate for the reigning Team Canada.