Cochrane curler Zoe Cinnamon has been signed to play for the University of Alberta Pandas.

The Cochrane curler was selected in a nationwide search by the university.

Cinnamon, who graduates from Cochrane High this year, says it was a tough choice to make. It means parting with her team that is coming off a solid season.

"But in the end, I thought it would work best. I would be with the university and get the extra opportunity they get and prime coaching," she says.

"They are recruiting players from all across the country, so I get to play with some of the best players in Canada. I'm really excited."

It also means she won't have to travel back and forth between Calgary and Edmonton to curl. She says her current team has recruited a new player.

The university had been scouting Cinnamon. In November she was invited to join the team by Pandas curling head coach Rob Krepps.

She's looking forward to meeting her new teammates, and suspects that won't happen until September due to the current pandemic.

Shortly after the university season kicks off, she'll be wearing the green and gold at a Calgary bonspiel.

Cinnamon is studying earth and atmospheric sciences.