Colin Hodgson makes his analyst debut
LIVERPOOL, N.S.—Colin Hodgson and Chelsea Carey are former mixed doubles teammates. They, among others, have been providing analysis for wildly successful livestreams from the 2025 Olympic Trials.
While Carey has earned plaudits for her commentary work, it’s a first-ever gig for Hodgson, who retired from competition after the 2023 Brier.
“It’s been a fun challenge to take on,” said Hodgson.
“I’ve shied-away from it in the past, but my wife encouraged me to test the waters out after listening to me yell at the TV from the couch during curling matches.”
Hodgson will end his initial commentary run by working one of tonight’s Page playoff matches (7:00 p.m. Atlantic time) while paired with Curling Canada’s Dustin Mikush on play-by-play.
Curling Canada is happy with the number of curling fans who have tuned into the streams, hosted on their YouTube page.
Some of the matches have reached 40,000 viewers.
“We’re quite pleased,” said a Curling Canada spokesperson. “For a higher profile event you’d hope to see good numbers, and what we’re seeing is very strong.”
“I’ve had a lot of fun with commentating already, and I hope to gain some more experience in the future,” said Hodgson. “I’m confident in my knowledge of the game, I just need to learn the ways of the microphone a bit more.”
The analysts have been working the draws remotely, a scenario which gained traction through the pandemic and which has been a staple of Curling Stadium/CurlingZone streaming coverage for the past two seasons.
Saturday Jan. 3 sees Brian Chick on play-by-play for both the semifinal and final. 2014 Canadian mixed doubles champion Kim Tuck will provide analysis for the semi (10:00 a.m.) while Carey will work the final (2:00 p.m., all times Atlantic).
Carey and Hodgson were a successful mixed doubles team for a couple of Olympic quadrennials, winning national bronze in 2017.
Hodgson returned to The Curling News as a columnist back in October, penning a self-introspective piece timed with World Mental Health Day.