By Canadian Press

No firm timeline for curler Brad Gushue’s return due to lingering hip problem

Sep 15, 2016 | 2:45 PM

The timeframe for veteran skip Brad Gushue’s return to the curling tour remains uncertain due to a lingering left hip injury that has forced him to miss the first two events of the season.

The 2006 Olympic champion from St. John’s recently met with a hip specialist in Toronto after the progress he made in the off-season hit a plateau.

“He felt I didn’t need surgery,” Gushue said. “He felt it was more of a muscle and alignment issue more than anything else. I’ve started a new routine, new rehab, to try to make it better.”

Gushue received a cortisone shot and is hopeful that his rehabilitation program, gym work and stretching routines will help get him back on the ice.

“As far as a timeframe for when I’m going to be back, I really don’t know,” Gushue said. “It could be next week, it could be six months. I have no idea.

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“Whenever I feel like it’s strong and it’s not going to be in the back of my mind when I’m throwing a rock I think is probably when I’m going to come back.”

The 36-year-old first noticed the hip problem toward the end of last season and he played through some discomfort at the last few events. Even though the muscle wasn’t torn, the pain became quite intense.

Gushue throws stones with his right hand so his left hip bears a lot of weight as he slides out of the hack. He has found some muscles in the hip area are overworking while others are underperforming.

Strides are still being made even though it’s a slow process. Gushue can get into his curling delivery now, something he couldn’t do for several months.

He plans to make a decision early next week on his participation at both the Sept. 29-Oct. 2 Swiss Cup in Basel, Switzerland and the Toronto bonspiel that follows on the Thanksgiving weekend. 

“I want to make sure I don’t come back too soon, especially with a groin or hip issue,” Gushue said from St. John’s. “With the sport that we play, that could be a big mistake come later in the year and for the rest of my career really.”

Adam Spencer served as a substitute last week in Oakville, Ont., with Team Gushue members Mark Nichols, Geoff Walker and Brett Gallant. Charley Thomas is tabbed to fill in this week in Cornwall, Ont.

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. 

Gushue’s rink is one of the best in the world. He won three Grand Slam events last season and took silver at the national playdowns. 

“Everybody has a great work ethic and you want to build on that,” Gushue said. “Curling teams generally have that two- to four-year window where they can really maximize their winnings. I feel like we’re starting to get into that window.”

He was hoping to pick up where he left off this season but instead had to watch online as his team made its season debut. Gushue said it was the first time he has missed a game due to injury in his 17 years on tour.

“The only event that I’ve ever missed was when my daughter was born in 2007,” he said. “So to have to watch the guys online, it was a new experience. I was a pretty grumpy guy last weekend, I must say.

“And I’m probably going to be just as grumpy this weekend having to watch it online too.”

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Follow @GregoryStrongCP on Twitter.

Gregory Strong, The Canadian Press