Team Shuster (John Shuster, Chris Plys, Matt Hamilton, John Landsteiner, and Coach Sean Beighton) punched their ticket to the 2022 Winter Olympic Games on Sunday evening after winning the 2022 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Curling in a best-of-three game final against Team Dropkin at Baxter Arena in Omaha.

With the Olympic Games a short three months away, the Team has already begun preparing for the big stage, with their first order of business determining who they would bring to the Games as their “fifth man” as they seek to defend their Olympic gold medal.

“We’re so excited to bring Colin Hufman back onto Team Shuster for the upcoming Olympics,” said John Shuster.

While the field of athletes to choose from boasted great depth, Team Shuster selected Colin Hufman based on success the Team has had with him in recent tournaments.  

“Colin has played a major role for this team in the past, including being on the ice for a key victory over Scotland at this past year’s World Championship and several wins at Curling Night in America,” said Shuster.

In the 2021 World Men’s Curling Championship, Hufman played an integral role at alternate as Team Shuster qualified the United States for a berth to the 2022 Games by finishing in the top half of the field.

“He has always done everything we have asked to help our team succeed and we look forward to his contributions in the upcoming months ahead,” added Shuster.

For Hufman, an invite to the Olympics is something he’s always dreamt of and has worked tirelessly toward as an athlete on the USA Curling National Team, competing in Olympic Team Trials and a World Men’s Curling Championship on Team Ruohonen.

Hufman, going all-in on his dreams, had moved into his skip, Rich “Richie” Ruohonen’s home in Minnesota to train for the 2021-22 season.

“John Shuster called me as I was pulling into my home away from home in Richie’s basement and I hoped I knew what he was about to say,” said Hufman.

Once the 2022 Olympic Team determined Hufman would be the best fit to help them defend their gold medal, John Shuster made the call.

“He asked if I wanted to be a 2022 U.S. Olympian,” recalled Hufman. “I couldn’t say yes fast enough, and I was immediately overwhelmed with a combination of gratitude, pride, excitement, and validation of some 20 years of work paying off.”

Colin Hufman will pick up where he left of with Team Shuster and train alongside them as they strive to reach the top of the podium in Beijing.

“I think we’re up to the task and I’m extra pumped to be able to experience this from the perspective of reigning and defending Olympic Champs,” added Hufman. “The Team is different, but our opponents won’t care, they’ll want to take it from us, and we’ll be working our butts off these next few months to be ready. I cannot wait.”

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