Rock League adds seven curlers after first-ever draft

Rock League has seven new members after holding its first-ever draft for franchises to replace curlers who will not be returning for Season 2.

Selection was based on reverse order of the Season 1 final standings, with last-place Frontier Curling Club holding the No. 1 pick followed by Maple United, Alpine Curling Club and reigning champion Shield Curling Club.

Neither Northern United nor Typhoon Curling Club participated in the draft, as both franchises have retained all of their players from Season 1.

Frontier Curling Club General Manager Chris Plys selected Pablo Lachat-Couchepin with the first-overall pick in the draft.

"After losing Colin Hufman, after the first season, we need a big broom on the ice, and Pablo fits that to a tee," Plys said. "So we're excited to have him."

Versatility was also a common theme among the general managers, prioritizing curlers who have played different positions on their tour teams as well as doubles.

"I want to have the versatility," Maple United GM Glenn Howard said after selecting Kyle Waddell. "Kyle's on a very competitive mixed doubles team right now out of Scotland. I think he just fits the bill, and he's very versatile. I can move him around in the four-person (team) very easily."

The seven roster changes were made for Season 2 in accordance with General Manager input, as well as with consideration to some players’ availability.

Rock League Season 2 begins Jan. 7-10 at Temple Gardens Centre in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. Tickets are available for all five stops, visit rockleague.com/tickets for more details.

Below are the full details of the draft.

1. Frontier Curling Club: Pablo Lachat-Couchepin

Lachat-Couchepin recently won his second Grand Slam of Curling men's title as the lead for Yannick Schwaller. He has represented Switzerland at the past two Olympic Winter Games and earned bronze this year in Milano Cortina. Lachat-Couchepin replaces Colin Hufman, who will help Frontier at GM when Chris Plys is away.

2. Maple United: Kyle Waddell

Waddell has skipped his men's team into the top 10 in the world rankings on tour and was a runner-up last season at the GSOC Players' Championship. He earned his second bronze medal at the Scottish Mixed Doubles Curling Championship in March. Waddell has also played second and third on men's teams in the past, winning the GSOC National with skip Ross Paterson in 2018. Waddell replaces Mike McEwen.

3. Alpine Curling Club: Craig Waddell

The Waddell brothers went back-to-back in the draft. Craig joined Ross Whyte's team on tour at second as an injury replacement last season and defeated his brother in the Players' Championship final to win his first Grand Slam title. He also won the Scottish men's title and earned a bronze medal at the world championship. Waddell replaces Marc Muskatewitz.

4. Shield Curling Club: Taylor Reese-Hansen

Reese-Hansen had a breakout campaign on tour last season. She won the GSOC Canadian Open Tier 2 title last season and captured her first provincial women's championship to represent B.C. at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts. Reese-Hansen replaces Marlee Powers.

5. Frontier Curling Club: Sydney Mullaney

Mullaney throws second stones for skip Anne O'Hara on tour. She won the U.S. women's championship last season and has earned bronze medals at the World Junior Curling Championship and Winter World University Games. Mullaney replaces Tabitha Peterson.

6. Maple United: Selina Witschonke

Witschonke won four Grand Slam of Curling titles with skip Silvana Tirinzoni, including three at the Players' Championship. She has earned two silver medals with Switzerland at the World Women's Curling Championship and one at the Olympic Winter Games. She now plays third for skip Alina Pätz on tour. Witschonke replaces Maria Larsson.

7. Frontier Curling Club: Mark Fenner

Fenner won two U.S. men's championships with skip Korey Dropkin as well as a pair of Grand Slam of Curling Tier 2 titles. He currently plays second for skip John Shuster on tour. Coincidentally, Fenner replaces Shuster on Frontier's roster.