One of the very best ever to throw rocks in curling says he has the support of this province to take away from a career spanning well over two decades.

Skip of Team Newfoundland and Labrador Brad Gushue announced Wednesday night he is hanging up his broom following the Montana’s Brier in March in St. John’s.

Gushue says persistent hip and groin issues over the last few years played heavily on his decision to retire.

The Olympic gold-medalist says having people standing behind him has made all the difference.

“Obviously, you have a tonne of emotion when you share this with your family and you see their reaction and then your team. And when we went public and you start reading some of the comments and you see some of the responses, it certainly hit me pretty good,” he told reporters in a virtual news conference on Thursday.

“We’ve been very fortunate over the last 10 or 15 years in particular, when we go and travel to hear the loudest cheers and the loudest roars.”

He says he plans to stay part of the game and hopes to play mixed doubles with his teenage daughter, but otherwise hasn’t decided what he will do next.

Second, and long-time teammate Mark Nichols says he’s “fifty-fifty” on what happens next for him.