Savill subbing on Team Epping for Gatineau event

John Epping has called upon a super spare for this week’s tour event in Gatineau, Que.

Epping and his Toronto-based team will have two-time world champion Craig Savill in their lineup for the Challenge de Curling de Gatineau.

We’ve got super spare @CraigSavill on board this weekend! Kick off Challenge Chateau Cartier de Gatineau @ 2pmET! #determination #staywild pic.twitter.com/CB3PRcYD6T

— Team Epping (@TeamJohnEpping) October 20, 2016

Second Patrick Janssen is out of action after having surgery two weeks ago to repair a fractured zygoma (orbital/cheekbone). Janssen sustained the injury when he fell face-first onto the ice during a curling clinic the team was conducting.

Epping said during the Stu Sells Toronto Tankard he hopes Janssen will be back in the lineup for next week’s Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling season opener, the WFG Masters, in Okotoks, Alta.

The Ottawa native Savill was forced to step back from curling last season after being diagnosed with Hodgkins lymphoma. He announced in August his cancer was in remission and made his return to the ice last month subbing with Team Tuck at the Shorty Jenkins Classic.

Meanwhile, skip Brad Gushue of St. John’s will miss his fifth event to start the season due to a lingering hip injury. Charley Thomas is filling in at third, according to the World Curling Tour event page. Regular vice Mark Nichols is skipping Team Gushue in the interim.

Team Bice of Sarnia, Ont., also has a spare listed at second: Adam Spencer. The Guelph, Ont., native Spencer played third for Team Gushue two weeks ago at the Stu Sells Toronto Tankard and helped them win the title.