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Kevin Koe — the 51-year-old curling legend from Alberta — is turning back the clock this week with a so-far perfect record at the 2026 Montana’s Brier in St. John’s.
The Alberta skip has led his team to a 6-0 record, sitting alone at the top spot of Pool B with two games left in the round robin on Thursday.
His play has turned heads, and caught the attention of fellow elder skip Brad Gushue — who defeated Koe to win the 2017 Brier in St. John’s.
“It’s Kevin being Kevin,” Gushue told reporters. “It’s fun to see him play well. Listen, at the end of the week I’d love to be playing Kevin in a rematch of 2017. That’d be so cool. But both of us have a long way to get to that point.”
When asked about Gushue’s comments on Wednesday, Koe chuckled.
“Battle of the old guys, I guess,” Koe said. “Sure he wants to play a 50-year-old. I get it. I mean, I’d take it for sure. Brad and I have played each other probably something like 90 times. Hopefully there’s one more sometime this week.”
Koe has had his struggles in recent years, including at the Brier — finishing 2-6 two years ago, and 4-4 last year.
Gushue and Koe met each other in the Olympic trials in November, with Gushue winning a close 5-3 contest. Gushue said it felt like old times, with both skips pushing each other to make every shot.
Koe gave Gushue credit on Wednesday, saying it’s fitting that Gushue’s last Brier is being played on home ice in front of thousands of adoring fans.
“He’s, I think, the most accomplished curler there is,” he said. “No one has won more. He’ll go out on top as one of the best ever.”
Four more years?
Koe was asked about his own future on Wednesday, and whether or not he’s committed to another four-year Olympic cycle.
“No, I don’t think so,” he said. “I don’t know. I’m never one for big announcements though. When I’m done I’ll probably crawl off on my own and not tell anyone.
“I’ve always said we’ll see how this Brier goes, see how we play and where we end up. If I continue to play, it’ll be a year-by-year basis, I think for now. But hopefully we come out on top this week and probably make my decision harder.”
Koe has won four Briers — 2010, 2014, 2016 and 2019 — and finished second twice.
He said the tournament has always been special to him, and he’s been proud to be in contention for the majority of his 14 appearances.
“It’s always been one of the biggest events for me. I’ve always seemed to be in contention and it looks like this year will be no different.”
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