Briane Harris, longtime lead for Einarson's Team Canada, ruled ineligible for Scotties

Kerri Einarson will be without lead Briane Harris as she tries for a fifth straight Canadian women's curling title.

Curling Canada said in a brief statement Friday that Harris is ineligible to play at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Calgary. A reason for Harris not being able to play was not provided and Curling Canada said no further comment would be forthcoming.

"Our statement that we released is all we are able to share at this time," Curling Canada chief executive officer Nolan Thiessen said in an email. "If there is more information to share at later time we will, but we will make no further comment at this time."

Krysten Karwacki is listed as the alternate for Einarson's squad.

Einarson's squad of Harris, third Val Sweeting and second Shannon Birchard out of Gimli, Man., has been intact since the 2018-19 season.

Harris had skipped her own team in the two seasons before joining Einarson.

The Tournament of Hearts runs Feb. 16-25 at the WinSport Event Centre.