Where is Cheryl Bernard? Why Scotties curling commentator & analyst stepped away from booth

The 2023 Scotties are about kick off today from Kamloops, however, a familiar voice will not be heard at the tournament. 

Longtime TSN curling commentator and analyst Cheryl Bernard is not in the broadcast booth for the competition.

She has not been a part of TSN's Season of Champions coverage that began in October, and misses her first Scotties Tournament of Hearts in years. 

MORE: Scotties Tournament of Hearts 2023 scores, schedule

The Sporting News has more details on why Bernard is no longer on the TSN Curling broadcast team. 

Where is Cheryl Bernard?

There is a chance we never see Bernard in a curling broadcasting booth again. 

The longtime curling commentator announced in June of 2022 that she would be stepping away from broadcasting to shift her focus towards her family and responsibilities as President and CEO of Canada's Sports Hall of Fame. 

Thank you all! It’s been an incredible ride! @TSNCurling @TSN_Sports @CurlingCanada @sportshall pic.twitter.com/SFWOEOJsJu

— Cheryl Bernard (@CBernardCurler) July 26, 2022

"I've had the best seat in the house for some of the best curling ever," Bernard said in her statement on Twitter. "My years with TSN has given me a real sense of what this sport does for communities across Canada and how TSN plays an important role in connecting competitive sport with community spirt.

Thank you to the players, the fans, and TSN for the incredible journey these past eight years. But now is the time for me to focus on family and my responsibilities as President and CEO of Canada's Sports Hall of Fame."

Following her impressive playing career, Bernard joined TSN's broadcast team in 2014. She spent eight seasons with TSN Curling, working the Scotties, Tim Hortons Brier and Olympic Trials. 

Who are the TSN curling commentators?

Outside of the absence of Bernard, the regular crew for curling on TSN are manning the mics. 

Longtime curling announcer Vic Rauter is set to be in the booth, splitting play-by-play duties with Bryan Mudryk. Cathy Gauthier and Russ Howard join the team as analysts. 

In addition, Joanne Courtney is making her TSN debut at the 2023 Scotties, joining the crew as an analyst. She previously reported on curling for CBC during the 2022 Olympics. 

When is the 2023 Scotties?

This tournament begins on Friday, Feb. 17 and is going to run until Sunday, Feb. 26. 

Pool play will be from the 17th to the 23rd. The playoff and page playoffs are taking place on the 24th and 25th before the semifinals and final wrap up the action on the 26th. 

What channel is the 2023 Scotties on?

The Scotties Tournament of Hearts will be broadcast on TSN with live streaming available on TSN.ca and in the TSN app.

Where is the 2023 Scotties taking place?

The 42nd edition of the tournament is being played at the Sandman Centre in Kamloops, B.C.

This is the first time that Kamloops is hosting the Scotties and the first time the tournament is in British Columbia since 2018 when it was held in Penticton. 

2023 Scotties odds

Entering the tournament, Kerri Einarson's Team Canada are the favorites to win the Scotties yet again, according to Sports Interaction. The team sits at +135 to win it all. 

Here are the pre-tournament odds for all of the teams.