Glenn Howard and his Ontario rink will not play the TSN Pinty's All-Star Curling Skins Game after all.

The veteran skip was set to play in the big money event, but a surprising loss to Aaron Squires in an Ontario regional playdown over the weekend means the rink's plans have changed.

Howard will need to play in Ontario's Challenge Round - which occurs over the same period as the Skins - in order to qualify for the Ontario Tankard provincial tournament. Winning the Tankard gives a rink a spot in the Tim Hortons Brier, Feb. 28 - March 8 in Calgary. 

Mike McEwen, the World Curling Tour's top money winner this season, will take Howard's spot in the Skins Game lineup.

“Our team is absolutely thrilled to compete in the TSN skins event,” said McEwen. “We are going to relish the opportunity to play and entertain fans in such an exciting format. We can’t wait to join the rest of the teams in Banff.”

The Pinty's All-Star Skins Game runs from Jan. 16-18 from Banff, Alberta and you can catch all the action on TSN.