Brett Gallant feels a rush of emotions when he recalls the last time he competed at the Mary Brown’s Centre in 2017. He played a crucial role in securing Brad Gushue’s final stone into the eight-foot ring, clinching their inaugural Canadian men’s curling title. The victory ignited a fervor among the packed crowd in St. John’s, as it marked the first time in 41 years that a team from Newfoundland and Labrador raised the Brier tankard.

Reflecting on that thrilling moment, Gallant mentioned the overwhelming support from fans throughout the week, which helped propel their team to success. The excitement of the atmosphere, right until the final shot of the match, remains a cherished memory for him. Currently, as high-level curling makes a comeback in St. John's with the Grand Slam of Curling’s Kioti National, Gushue, along with team members Mark Nichols and Geoff Walker, continues to compete. They are now joined by Brendan Bottcher and hold the second place in world rankings, just behind Scotland’s Bruce Mouat.

After departing from Gushue's team following the past season, Gallant has joined a new rink led by skip Brad Jacobs, which is currently ranked fifth worldwide. The third Grand Slam of the season features a competitive setup of 16 teams for both men and women, each participating in pool matches followed by crossover games determined by seeding.

As the tournament kicks off on Tuesday and culminates in finals on Sunday, anticipation builds not only for the action on the ice but also due to the vibrant crowds expected. Gushue's historical Brier victory came during his 14th appearance, and since then, he has claimed five championships in the last seven years, including three alongside Gallant.

That memorable final in 2017 remains unforgettable, as St. John’s welcomed the event for the first time since 1972. With the game poised at 6-6 in the 10th end, Gushue had the hammer, and Gallant's insight about the stone's speed proved vital. As they rushed the stone after its release, their determined effort ensured its victory distance over Koe's rock, sparking a long night of celebration across the city. Gallant described the moment as a blend of chaos and exhilaration, emphasizing the electric atmosphere that accompanied the final stone’s success.

As for this year's events, Gushue finds himself in Pool B alongside competitors from Switzerland and Winnipeg, while Jacobs faces teams from Italy and Norway in Pool D. On the women's side, Ottawa’s Rachel Homan stands out as a leading contender, having already secured one Slam title this season.