UNITED STATES MEN PREPARE FOR 2021 MEN’S WORLD CURLING CHAMPIONSHIP
Team Shuster poses with the US Men’s National Championship trophy following their 2020 National Championship victory. Photo by Rich Harmer.
From April 2-11, 2021, Team USA, consisting of John Shuster (Superior, Wis.), Chris Plys (Duluth, Minn.), Matt Hamilton (McFarland, Wis.), John Landsteiner (Duluth, Minn.), and Colin Hufman (Fairbanks, Alaska), will be competing in the 2021 World Men’s Curling Championship at Canada Olympic Park in Calgary, Canada.
Canada Olympic Park has successfully operated a curling bubble for the past month by hosting Canada’s top men’s, women’s, and mixed doubles teams while they’ve competed for their national championships.
The World Men’s Curling Championship will host 14 of the top men’s curling countries in the world to not only crown the 2021 World Men’s Curling Champion, but also serve as one of the qualification events for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games as the top six teams in the field will earn berths to the 2022 Games.
While John Shuster and his squad are no stranger to high-pressure situations, they’ve been working overtime to ensure they’re as ready as possible heading into the bubble.
“Without having the opportunity to play many competitive games over the last year, Team Shuster and our coaching staff have been doing everything we can to prepare,” said Phill Drobnick, Interim Director of Sport Performance. “The Team has spent a lot of time practicing together and has focused on being as mentally and physically prepared to compete as possible.”
As reigning Olympic Gold Medalists, the Team knows what it takes to achieve success.
“In addition to trusting our preparation, we’ll be able to rely on our experience to be at our best in April,” added Drobnick.
Joining Team Shuster as the fifth man in Calgary is Colin Hufman, 2018 National Champion.
“I’ve always felt like a personal strength is my ability to come into a new situation and contribute immediately as part of the team,” said Hufman.
Colin Hufman joins Team Shuster at the 2021 Men’s World Curling Championship. Photo by Rich Harmer.
Hufman, who normally plays for Team Ruohonen (arguably Team Shuster’s top competition in the United States), is eager to help the team however he can.
“We’re currently both competing to be Team USA in Beijing, but they’re leveraging my skillset to be as good as they can be in Calgary,” said Hufman.
Recognizing the opportunity at hand, both teams have elected to table the “rivalry” and work collaboratively to guarantee a spot in the 2022 Games.
“None of us are holding back and we’re all stoked to be competing in April,” added Hufman.
Click here to view more information on the 2021 BKT Tires & OK Tire World Men’s Curling Championship 2021.
USA Curling is sponsored by Toyota, Goldline, Twin Cities Orthopedics, Training HAUS, Brakebush, ISS (Ice, Sports & Solar), Sitrin, Traveler’s Choice, and Volt, and is partnered with IHG, Rock Solid Productions Inc., 12th End Sports Network, Laurie Artiss Ltd. – The Pin People, and United Airlines.
