Heartbreaking: Due to a “seized up” left knee during the encounter, veteran skipper Glenn Howard is out indefinitely.

Due to a “seized up” left knee during the encounter, veteran skipper Glenn Howard is out indefinitely.

After getting hurt at a bonspiel last week, veteran skip Glenn Howard will be sidelined indefinitely due to damage to his surgically repaired left knee.

During the weekend at the Nufloors Penticton Curling Classic bonspiel in Penticton, British Columbia, Howard claims his knee “seized up”. The 61-year-old captain led his club to a 3-1 record prior to being forced to miss the final game of the preliminary round and the postseason.

In order to decide on the best course of action, the four-time world champion planned to consult with knee experts and his surgeon in the following days.

He said on Tuesday from Tiny, Ontario, “It was swollen, I could hardly bend it, and I had trouble walking.”

On Monday afternoon, his son Scott Howard led the three-man squad to victory by taking over as skipper.

Scott, second David Mathers, and lead Tim March defeated Brendan Bottcher of Calgary in the semifinals before defeating American John Shuster in the $100,000 tournament final, which was skipped by Chris Plys.

It was the team from Penetanguishene, Ontario, first championship of the year. The squad was also qualified for the Ontario championship in Dorchester, Ontario, which is scheduled for January 24-28.

This season, pain is sometimes manageable.
According to Howard, “it was a big win in so many ways.”

In July 2022, the older Howard had surgery on his left knee to replace a meniscus and mend a tendon. This season, he has occasionally struggled with “manageable” knee pain, but this most recent problem has compelled him to take a vacation.

When Howard discovered the sliding knee problem late in a 9-2 victory over Victoria’s Neil Dangerfield at the Penticton Curling Club, he noted the team was playing well.

“It just blew up all of a sudden,” Howard added.

The Penticton title allowed Howard to recuperate further if necessary. The squad no longer needs to make an appearance at a last-chance qualifier in early January, therefore their calendar is clear until the provincial playdowns.

But until physicians decide a timetable for Howard’s return, his on-ice training and practice sessions are off.

The Ontario champion will compete on behalf of the province in Regina from March 1–10 at the Montana’s Brier.