Karlee Burgess Exits Team Chelsea Carey

As the anticipation builds for the upcoming Scotties Tournament of Hearts, a significant shake-up is occurring within Manitoba's Team Chelsea Carey. Third Karlee Burgess has announced her departure from the team, leaving fans and fellow players eager to understand the implications of this shift.

In her heartfelt statement, Burgess expressed immense gratitude to her teammates, saying, "I couldn't be more grateful to Glenn, Chelsea, Emily, and Lauren for their friendship and support, as well as all of the knowledge I gained from playing with them. Chelsea is truly one of our sport's best skips, and I will cherish the successes and experiences I've shared with Emily and Lauren over the years. I'm a better player for having been their teammate."

The team, which currently holds a world ranking of 19th and is 10th in Canada, is in a tough spot this season. With a disappointing 16-19 record and a 4-10 showing in three Grand Slam events, Team Carey has struggled to find their footing and has only qualified for the playoffs in three out of eight bonspiels, facing defeats in each quarter-finals round.

Before joining Team Carey, the 26-year-old Burgess, originally from Nova Scotia, made waves in the curling world by clinching three Canadian and world junior championships. She played a pivotal role in Team Jennifer Jones, reaching back-to-back Scotties finals in 2023 and 2024, where they faced tough competition against Team Kerri Einarson and Team Rachel Homan.

With the retirement of Jennifer Jones from four-person curling, the transition to Chelsea Carey at the helm has proven challenging. Carey’s squad, already facing difficulties this season, now finds itself at a critical juncture. The announcement of Burgess's departure leaves only two members from last year's team, raising questions about the future composition of the rosters and their pre-qualified status for the 2025 Scotties.

In a sport that hinges as much on teamwork as individual skill, the changes will undoubtedly have a ripple effect. Fans will be keenly watching for any official announcements from Team Carey regarding their future plans, particularly as they must navigate the upcoming season with significant turnover in the lineup.

As the curling community holds its breath for the next move from both Burgess and Team Carey, one thing is certain: this isn’t just a goodbye; it’s a new chapter brimming with possibilities for the promising athlete. What could be next for Karlee Burgess? Keep your eyes peeled for updates that could redefine her career and the landscape of Canadian curling!