Nichols joining Team Dunstone

Mark Nichols is returning to Manitoba.

Brad Gushue’s longtime third has signed on to play second for Winnipeg’s Matt Dunstone next season.

With Gushue retiring after the Brier, the 46-year-old Nichols was available for hire. Team Dunstone, who won this year’s Brier and finished second at the men’s curling world championship in Utah, had a spot to fill for next season as second E.J. Harnden has also retired.

Nichols spent the past 12 years with Gushue. Prior to that, he curled for three years out of Manitoba with Jeff Stoughton.

Nichols is a six-time Brier champion, a world champion (2017) and a four-time world finalist, and owns two Olympic medals (gold in 2006, bronze in 2022).