Skip Brad Gushue to test injured hip next week, hopes to return next month

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-year-old 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.

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“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 just over a year away.

The 2006 Olympic champion dealt with some hip pain last season and met with a hip specialist over the summer, 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.

“If I can get out there and curl with little or no pain, then I know I’m probably a few weeks away and maybe it’s just a matter of building up the strength,” Gushue said. “But if I get out there and there is still some pain, then probably I’ll shut it down until Christmas time if I have to be quite honest.

“I’ll be nervous come next week when I test it out but hopefully it goes well.”

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.

“I’m not getting any younger and I’d hate for it to reoccur when I come back, in the spring or even next season with the Trials looming,” he said. “I want to make sure I do the right thing and not rush it too much.

“But obviously having said that, I’m pretty anxious to get back.”

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.

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Follow @GregoryStrongCP on Twitter.

Gregory Strong, The Canadian Press