Kerri Einarson: Bio, Team Changes & Handshake Controversy

Ask any curling fan about the Scotties Tournament of Hearts over the last half-decade, and one name keeps coming up: Kerri Einarson. The Métis skip from Manitoba has built a dynasty with five national titles, but recently the headlines have shifted from championships to controversy — from a sudden team shake-up to a handshake incident that sparked debate.

Born: 1987 (age 37) · Team: Team Einarson · Position: Skip · Scotties Titles: 5 (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2026) · Hometown: Camp Morton, Manitoba · Indigenous Heritage: Métis

Eight key facts about Einarson, one pattern: a career built on consistency and adaptation.

Is Kerri Einarson still married?

Yes, Kerri Einarson is married to Kyle Einarson. The couple lives in Camp Morton, Manitoba, with their twin sons. Kyle, a former junior hockey player, works outside the curling spotlight and is frequently seen supporting his wife at tournaments (Wikipedia).

Who is Kerri Einarson’s husband?

Kyle Einarson is a businessman and former hockey player from Manitoba. The couple wed in 2015 and have two children together (Olympics.com).

Does Kerri Einarson have twins?

Yes, she gave birth to twin sons, Kade and Kruz, in 2018 (Wikipedia). She has spoken in interviews about balancing motherhood with elite-level curling.

Who are Kerri Einarson’s family members?

Beyond her husband and sons, Einarson has a sister named Stacey and was raised in a close-knit Métis family in Camp Morton (Team Einarson official site).

The pattern: Einarson’s family life provides a steady counterweight to the volatility of professional curling, allowing her to focus on the ice.

What happened to Kerri Einarson’s team?

In early 2025, Team Einarson underwent a major shake-up. Longtime teammate Val Sweeting and alternate Krysten Karwacki departed, leaving the roster in flux. By the 2025 Scotties, the team had settled on a new lineup with Shannon Birchard at third and Karlee Burgess at second (Team Einarson Instagram). The changes came after Briane Harris was also left off the roster, a move that sparked further questions about team cohesion (Global News).

Why did team Einarson split up?

The team described the split with Sweeting and Karwacki as a mutual decision, driven by a desire to pursue different competitive lineups (Grand Slam of Curling). Einarson later told CurlingZone that the changes were difficult but necessary to keep the team competitive.

What this means: The departure of experienced players like Sweeting forces Einarson to integrate new teammates under the intense pressure of Olympic trials.

Why is Kerri Einarson not shaking hands?

At the 2026 world women’s curling championship, Einarson avoided post-game handshakes, drawing immediate attention. She later explained she was protecting a sprained ring finger on her right hand. “When someone shakes my hand, it aches,” she told reporters (CBC Sports). An earlier incident at the 2025 Canadian Trials — where she did not shake skip Rachel Homan’s hand after a loss — remains less clearly explained, though Einarson cited frustration and later apologized. (For comparison, another Canadian sports handshake controversy involving Paul Maurice also drew media scrutiny.)

The catch: A single injury-driven moment can fuel a broader narrative; Einarson’s transparency about her injury may help reset public perception.

What does Shannon Birchard do for a living?

Shannon Birchard is a professional curler, currently playing second for Team Einarson. She has been a key part of the team’s success since joining, contributing to multiple Scotties wins (Team Einarson Instagram). Off the ice, she works as a physiotherapist in Manitoba.

Does Ben Hebert have any children?

Yes, Ben Hebert, the Canadian curler, has two children with his wife (Wikipedia).

Does Brendan Bottcher have a wife?

Brendan Bottcher is married to fellow curler Jocelyn Peterman, who also competes on the national circuit (Wikipedia).

The pattern: Teammates’ personal lives often intersect with the sport, creating a tight-knit community that can both support and complicate roster stability.

How old is Kerri Einarson?

Born in 1987, Kerri Einarson is 37 years old as of 2025 (Olympics.com).

What is Kerri Einarson’s net worth?

Estimates place her net worth between $1 and $2 million, derived from tournament prize money, endorsements, and appearances. No official figures have been released, so these numbers remain speculative (CurlingZone).

How tall is Kerri Einarson?

She stands 5 feet 6 inches (1.68 meters) tall (Olympics.com).

Does Kerri Einarson have a sister?

Yes, she has a sister named Stacey (Team Einarson official site).

Why this matters: Basic biographical details help fans connect, but the lack of verified financial data underscores the difficulty of assessing a curler’s economic standing.

Timeline signal

• 2018 – Silver medal at Scotties Tournament of Hearts (Wikipedia)
• 2020 – First Scotties championship win (Wikipedia)
• 2021 – Second consecutive Scotties title (Wikipedia)
• 2022 – Third Scotties championship (Wikipedia)
• 2023 – Fourth Scotties title (Wikipedia)
• early 2025 – Team parts ways with Val Sweeting and Krysten Karwacki (Grand Slam of Curling)
• November 2025 – Handshake controversy at Canadian Trials (details unclear)
• 2026 – Fifth Scotties championship (Team Kerri Einarson Facebook)

The pattern: Einarson’s championship wins cluster in even years, with team changes occurring between cycles — a rhythm that suggests she uses off-seasons to retool.

“When someone shakes my hand, it aches.” Kerri Einarson to CBC Sports (March 2026)

The departure of Sweeting and Karwacki was described by the team as a “mutual decision” to pursue different lineups. Grand Slam of Curling (2025)

For Canadian curling fans, the Kerri Einarson story is a reminder that even dynasties face fractures. The question now is whether the repaired lineup can deliver an Olympic berth — or whether the team’s best years are behind it. (Another Canadian athlete navigating career changes: Connor Ingram’s path with the Oilers shows how roster moves shape professional trajectories.)