By: J.J. Pavlick | Toronto, CN | December 16, 2025 |
The sport didn’t just get a new league today — it got a new identity.
Rock League, curling’s first fully professional circuit launching in April 2026, unveiled the complete rosters and general managers for all six franchises. And if there was any doubt about whether this league would attract real star power, Tuesday’s announcement erased it. This isn’t a pilot project. This is a statement.
The Curling Group (TCG), the organization behind the league, confirmed that each franchise will carry 10 athletes — five women and five men — with up to four imports allowed in Year One to ensure competitive balance. The result is a set of lineups that look less like a startup experiment and more like a world championship bracket.
A Global Draft Board, Curated by Champions
Rock League’s strategic advisors—Olympic gold medalists Jennifer Jones and John Morris—were tasked with selecting the inaugural rosters and GMs. They didn’t play it safe.
“Building these rosters was an opportunity to showcase the incredible depth and diversity of curling talent around the world,” Jones said. “We wanted teams that were competitive, entertaining, and reflective of their home regions.”
Morris echoed the sentiment.
“This was a chance to help shape something truly new for curling,” he said. “The talent we’ve got here is energetic and seriously impressive. Fans haven’t seen team dynamics like this before.”
Each GM will oversee roster management, coaching leadership, and day-to-day operations—a structure that mirrors major pro leagues rather than traditional curling tours.
The Six Franchises, Built for a Global Stage
Below are the full rosters for Rock League’s inaugural season—a mix of world champions, Olympic medalists, rising stars, and region‑defining talent.
ALPINE CURLING CLUB (EUROPE)
GM: Eve Muirhead Captain: Alina Pätz
Women
- Alina Pätz
- Selina Gafner
- Emma Miskew
- Sofia Scharback
- Almida de Val
Men
- Joël Retornaz
- Oskar Eriksson
- Sven Michel
- Hammy McMillan Jr.
- Marc Muskatewitz
FRONTIER CURLING CLUB (USA)
GM: Chris Plys Captain: Korey Dropkin
Women
- Stefania Constantini
- Tabitha Peterson
- Taylor Anderson-Heide
- Sarah Wilkes
- Cory Thiesse
Men
- Korey Dropkin
- Grant Hardie
- Colin Hufman
- Danny Casper
- John Shuster
MAPLE UNITED (CANADA)
GM: Glenn Howard Captain: Rachel Homan
Women
- Rachel Homan
- Xenia Schwaller
- Maria Larsson
- Karlee Burgess
- Jocelyn Peterman
Men
- Mike McEwen
- Ross Whyte
- Colton Flasch
- Tanner Horgan
- Brett Gallant
NORTHERN UNITED (EUROPE)
GM: Christoffer Save Captain: Bruce Mouat
Women
- Isabella Wranå
- Sara McManus
- Jennifer Dodds
- Giulia Zardini Lacedelli
- Kristin Skaslien
Men
- Bruce Mouat
- Robin Brydone
- Rasmus Wranå
- Martin Sesaker
- Yannick Schwaller
SHIELD CURLING CLUB (CANADA)
GM: Carter Rycroft Captain: Brad Jacobs
Women
- Kerri Einarson
- Tracy Fleury
- Agnes Knochenhauer
- Carole Howald
- Marlee Powers
Men
- Brad Jacobs
- Benoît Schwarz-van Berkel
- Jacob Horgan
- Dan Marsh
- Amos Mosaner
TYPHOON CURLING CLUB (ASIA-PACIFIC)
GM: J.D. Lind Captain: Chinami Yoshida
Women
- Chinami Yoshida
- Anna Hasselborg
- Min-ji Kim
- Ye-eun Seol
- Tori Koana
Men
- Niklas Edin
- Tsuyoshi Yamaguchi
- Bobby Lammie
- Dexin Ba
- Anton Hood
Roster Changes Ahead of Opening Day
TCG confirmed that previously announced athletes Matt Dunstone, Colton Lott, Tyler Tardi, and E.J. Harnden have stepped away from the inaugural season due to personal and professional commitments.
A League Built for What’s Next
Dates and locations for the 2026 and 2027 seasons will be announced this week, along with expanded broadcast and event details. A limited run of Rock League merchandise is already available at The Rock Shop—a small preview of the commercial ecosystem the league is trying to build.
But the real headline is this: these rosters look like the sport curling has always claimed it could be—global, elite, and unapologetically ambitious.
This is no exhibition tour; it’s no novelty act. This is curling stepping into the bright lights with its best talent on full display.
Rock League didn’t just announce rosters — it announced intent. This is curling, refusing to shrink itself to fit old expectations. These lineups are loud, global, and built to win, and they’re the clearest sign yet that the sport is done waiting for permission to evolve.
We’ll be there for every shot, every sweep, every upset, and every moment this league forces the world to rethink what curling can be. Subscribe today to the Bad Dawg Sports Newsletter for just $2 per year!
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