Jeff Stoughton is calling it quits from curling.

The veteran skip announced his retirement on Wednesday afternoon via Twitter.

"Well it's time! Stepping back from the game, that darn R word is just too hard to say! Thx to all but mostly thank you to my family! #awesome," said Stoughton in a Tweet.

The 51-year-old Winnipegger was playing on an entirely new rink this season and lost in the semifinals of the Manitoba provincials to Mike McEwen.

Stoughton won three Briers (1996, 1999, 2011) and two World championships (1996, 2011) over his 21-year career.