Jill Officer will be making a delivery of a different kind this winter and it's one that will cause a temporary change in Jennifer Jones' lineup.
According to the Curling News, Officer is due to give birth in December so she will not play the first half of the curling season. Joelle Sabourin, a former teammate of Jones lead Dawn Askin, will take her place on the rink for the major World Curling Tour events as well as the Canada Cup.
"It's a tremendous opportunity and an honour to play with these guys," Sabourin told The Curling News. "I had recently made my decision not to play next year and I was okay with it, but then (Dawn) called soon afterward and asked me and I said 'You're kidding me, right?'
Sabourin has competed in five Scotties Tournament of Hearts for Quebec, including twice with skip Marie-France Larouche. She was the alternate on Jenn Hanna's Ontario rink in 2005 when Askin played lead.
Officer is known for her ability to make big weight shots and Sabourin promises to do her best to fill that role on the team.
"I'm gonna work hard on my side," Sabourin added. "I'm not Jill, but I can throw hard and I'll be practicing my peels for sure."
