A Coaster at the Brier, From the Ice of the LNS to the Curling Rink!

Team Nunavut from left to right: Greg Howard, Jeff Nadeau, Peter Mackey, Jeff Chown, Brady St Louis

CFBS NEWS BLANC-SABLON - MARCH 9, 2021 - Jeffery Nadeau of St. Paul's is a part of Team Nunavut currently at the 2021 Brier in Calgary

CFBS reached out to fellow coaster, Jeffery Nadeau, originally from St. Paul's River but now living in Iqaluit, to speak about his current participation in the 2021 Brier tournament being hosted in Calgary. Jeffery was glad to share with us his love for curling and how he became involved in this fun sport: 

So how did your interest begin in the sport of Curling?
 Iqaluit
"I first stated Curling at the age of 19, only because it was offered at Champlain College in Lennoxville, Quebec as a course. I later moved to Iqaluit, NU in Jan 1991, and started curling once a week at that time, mostly in the mixed league. I curled in the league for about 18 years and then decided that I wanted to play more hockey instead. In 2017 a good friend of mine, Peter Mackey asked if I wanted to curl on his team for the Traveler's Provincial Men’s team which represented Nunavut in Kelowna, BC. I jumped at the chance and since then we have been at the Tim Horton’s Brier in 2018 in Regina, Canadian Senior Men’s Championship in Stratford, ON, Tim Horton’s Brier in 2019 in Brandon, MB, 2019 Senior Men’s Championship in Chilliwack, BC, lost in the play downs for both the Brier and Seniors in 2020, and won the playdowns for the Tim Horton Brier this year after being down 0-2 in the best of 5 playdowns, came back to win 3 straight to win and represent Nunavut in the 2021 Tim Horton Brier in Calgary. We will also be going to 2021 Canadian Seniors Men’s Championship in November which the place is yet to be determined!"

What is your greatest memory so far about participating in the sport?

"My greatest memory has to be the 2018 Brier in Regina, the crowd was amazing and like most sports were cheering for the underdogs!! It was unreal going out to eat at local restaurants and have people recognize you as Team Nunavut and ask for autographs!! The Brier Patch is the bar of choice for all curlers and fans and that gave the fans an opportunity to say hi to most teams, of course Team Nunavut was there every chance we had. Curling against both Canadian Champions and World Champions is and was amazing, it’s one thing to watch them on TV and another to be on the same ice as them and watch their amazing talent up close! We have never won a game at the Brier but just being here is truly amazing!!!"

Can you tell us how it is at a tournament this time around with the ongoing pandemic?

"This year, like everywhere, is so different with Covid, we are living in the Calgary bubble and have been tested 3 times for Covid since arriving here. All teams have tested negative and Curling Canada has done an amazing job keeping everyone Safe! I have a brother and cousins living here, and I can’t and won’t get to see them. We sure do miss the fans in the building, but I still have to pinch myself every now and again to make sure I am not dreaming! So far here in Calgary, we have 8 games, 0-4 right now, but playing PEI next and they are also 0-4. I just want to say that the fan's support, both from Nunavut and the people on the Coast, has been amazing over the years and I want to thank you all for the good luck wishes. Even though people leave the coast for different reasons, it will always be HOME to me!" 

CFBS thanks you Jeffery Nadeau for sharing your story, and we will be cheering you on along with our fellow coasters in wishing you and your teammates the very best! GO TEAM NUNAVUT AT THE 2021 BRIER IN CALGARY!

Abbygail Wellman
CFBS Journalist