Joanne Courtney is making a return to competitive curling as a spare on Kerri Einarson’s team.
Courtney will fill in for second Shannon Birchard, who is recovering from a knee injury.
The Edmonton native won the Scotties Tournament of Hearts and world championship in 2017 with skip Rachel Homan and also captured eight Grand Slam of Curling titles. She stepped back from the sport in 2022.
Courtney is scheduled to play with Team Einarson during this weekend’s Saville Grand Prix in Edmonton and next week’s Co-op Canadian Open in Nisku, Alta.
Birchard has yet to play this season. Einarson, Val Sweeting and Krysten Karwacki played as a trio during the Saville Shootout and Laura Walker filled in at second at the PointsBet Invitational in September.
Karwacki has served as Team Einarson’s alternate in the past and is playing lead as Briane Harris is awaiting a decision on her appeal after testing positive for a banned substance.
Team Einarson captured the HearingLife Tour Challenge last month with Dawn McEwen subbing at second.
