Mark Nichols is returning to curling on a full-time basis in the fall.
However, it won’t be with 13-year teammate Brad Gushue. And it won’t be in this province.
The 2006 Olympic gold medal-winner has decided to relocate to Winnipeg, where he’ll join Jeff Stoughton’s curling rink.
“I realized that I still have a bit of game left in me and that I still want to play,” Nichols told the Winnipeg Free Press.
“It took me a long time to make this decision... but it’s a chance to get back playing and get playing with someone who’s pretty good too.”
Prior to the 2011 Brier, Nichols announced he would take a break from competitive curling to focus on his career and family.
He returned to the ice this spring when two-time world champion Stoughton asked him to throw lead stones for his team at The Players Championship in Summerside, P.E.I., this after Stoughton and long-time lead Steve Gould parted ways.
Rather than return to his Team Gushue position as third stone, Nichols will continue to throw the first two rocks for Stoughton and company (Reid Carruthers throws second stone and Jon Mead is the rink’s mate).
“I will do anything these guys want to make this team and make this team work,” Nichols told the Free Press. “If that means throw up a couple of guards and then sweep my ass off, that’s what I will do.”
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No one's comment is 'necessary'. But they're permitted, and I made mine and I'm perfectly happy with it. You should just make yours. Nope...one of the wonderful things about Newfoundland that Mark will surely miss is not being clear on what his opinion should be on all things...it's great here!