Karlee Burgess Joins Team Einarson After Birchard Injury
Team Kerri Einarson has added three-time world junior champion Karlee Burgess to its roster, replacing Shannon Birchard, who will be sidelined for the remainder of the season due to a knee injury.
Curling Canada granted the team an injury exemption, allowing them to maintain eligibility for the upcoming Scotties Tournament of Hearts.
Burgess, who had announced her departure from Team Chelsea Carey a day earlier, will shift from the third to the second position on Einarson’s team.
"She's an exceptional shotmaker," Einarson said Friday from Gimli, Man. "But what really stands out is her energy, enthusiasm, and youthful spirit she brings to the game."
The team also includes vice-skip Val Sweeting and fifth player Krysten Karwacki, who has been stepping in for Briane Harris at lead. Harris remains provisionally suspended for up to four years after testing positive for a banned substance last February. The Court of Arbitration for Sport has not yet issued a ruling on her appeal.
Einarson, a four-time national champion, has already secured a spot for the Feb. 14-23 playdowns in Thunder Bay, Ont.
Burgess’s departure from Team Carey leaves that squad with just two returning players from last season's team, which was skipped by Jennifer Jones. This change means the team no longer qualifies for automatic berths to the Scotties or the Canadian Curling Trials. Carey replaced Jones, who retired from four-player curling last spring.
As a result, Edmonton’s Selena Sturmay, ranked next on the 2023-24 team standings, will now take the vacant spot for the Scotties, Curling Canada announced.
Additionally, Einarson will inherit the open berth for the Nov. 22-30 Trials in Halifax, which will serve as the qualifier for Canada's 2026 Milan Olympics curling team.
Birchard has struggled with the knee injury for much of the season. Although she returned briefly for a tour event in Swift Current, Sask., last month, the pain resurfaced, and she was unable to finish the competition. Birchard will now focus on her rehabilitation and hopes to be ready for the 2025-26 season, according to the team.
