A lifetime of effort led to a moment of glory for P.E.I.’s Brett Gallant, who was a part of Team Canada’s gold medal Olympic curling team.

Gallant was second on Team Brad Jacobs — consisting of skip Jacobs, third Marc Kennedy, Gallant and lead Ben Hebert — at the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympic Games in Italy, securing the gold medal against Great Britain’s Team Bruce Mouat with a 9-6 win on Feb. 21.

Speaking with CBC’s Compass on Wednesday, Gallant called the accomplishment an “incredible” feeling as reality starts to hit since the win. 

“As an athlete, I’ve spent a lot of time, you know, chasing this goal and trying to get to the … top of this podium,” he said. 

“To achieve that goal and to kind of achieve that dream, it’s pretty incredible. And it’s just starting to sink in over the last couple of days here.”

Gallant said the medal has been getting a lot of attention, with passers-by on the street or in the airport asking the two-time Olympic medallist (he won bronze in the 2022 Beijing Games) for a look at the gold.

“They all want to see it. And it’s been pretty cool to just share it with some people who’ve been watching the curling over the past few weeks at the Olympics.”

Tough team to top

The No. 1 team in the world, Team Mouat also consists of third Grant Hardie, second Bobbie Lammie and lead Hammy McMillan Jr. 

Gallant said going into the final game, his teammates knew the endeavour would not be easy and they had to “bring our best” to take home the gold medal

“And you saw a lot, I think, excitement kind of pour out of our bodies and just the celebrations just started there and they continued for a little while after that game ended,” he said.

“It was pretty cool to get to experience that moment. My wife and son were there in the stands and just to kind of celebrate with them afterwards. That was an incredible feeling and something I’ll never forget.”

‘They reached this goal’

Gallant’s father, Peter, who made nine Brier appearances and is a 2020 inductee into the P.E.I. Sports Hall of Fame, commended his son’s achievement in Italy. Speaking with CBC’s Mainstreet, Peter reflected to his son’s work over the years and said the gold medal is something Gallant aimed to win since childhood. 

“It’s crazy to think that everything he’s put into it and all the hard work he’s put into it over the years,” Peter said.

“They reached this goal and now he’s got it. So it’s just – it’s pretty amazing.”

Peter and family watched the gold medal game at his son Christopher’s house and said he didn’t think the game would transpire as it did.

“Mouat’s team’s so good. They started putting rocks in spots where we couldn’t really get them out easily.… And it’s just a roller coaster,” he said. 

“And it wasn’t really until Brad Jacobs’ last shot stopped where I realized, ‘I don’t think Mouat can make this shot for two points.’ But it happened really fast, that last end…. It was quite an emotional time, you know, for all of us just, you know, to see your son winning the gold medal.”

A family affair

Jocelyn Peterman, Gallant’s wife, is a fellow Olympian with whom Gallant attempted to secure a medal in doubles curling, coming up short with a fifth-place finish after a strong start with wins over Czechia, Norway and Italy before suffering a loss to the United States, followed by losses to Great Britain, Estonia, Sweden and Korea. They would proceed to beat Switzerland, but it was not enough for a podium finish. Gallant said the finish leaves “still a lot to be proud of.”

And Gallant praised the presence of his wife as well as his young son, who Gallant described as “a trooper” and avid curler who hits the ice at every available opportunity.

 “Jocelyn and I, we’re just trying to set an example for him that if you’re passionate about something and if you have big dreams and big goals, just to chase them down,” Gallant said. “Put all your heart and soul into whatever you love. And if you do that, usually you’ll be rewarded with good things.”

Gallant has not had much opportunity to rest. He’s already in St. John’s, N.L., with Team Jacobs as they prepare for the 2026 Brier representing Team Canada, taking place Feb. 27 to March 8. Gallant and Team Jacobs kick off the event Friday with a game against Tyler Smith and Team P.E.I.

“We’re going to be wearing the Team Canada colours this week again, so that’s exciting. And just looking forward to, you know, getting right back at it and enjoying some East Coast hospitality.”