Curlers Get Ready for Rock League's First Season

Curling starts on Monday at Toronto's Mattamy Athletic Centre.

Curling is entering a new area.

The Rock League starts on Monday and is different from other tournaments with mixed teams and new rules, including a bar on the ice.

After a big Olympic season, it's hard to know if this new league will be competitive.

Kerri Einarson said she's not expecting too much.

Einarson said the key to success is playing relaxed and having fun, and the team that does this will do well.

Shield will play Northern United, a strong team with players from Europe.

Northern captain Bruce Mouat said they're taking it seriously and it will be intense.

Mouat said everyone wants to win the trophy.

One of six teams will win the trophy by the end of the season.

The games start on Monday with three draws per day and will be shown on CBCSports.ca and CBC Gem.

Isabella Wranå from Sweden said she always tries to win but also wants to have fun.

Wranå said communication is important, especially on a team with players from different countries.

The new formats and rules will make communication even more important.

Wranå said everyone needs to be ready to communicate well and speak English.

Some of the Northern United team hadn't arrived in Toronto yet.

The team will have their first practice just before the game on Monday.

Einarson's team, Shield, was practicing on Sunday to get ready.

There will be a rivalry between Shield and Alpine Curling Club.

Emma Miskew will play for Alpine and said she doesn't expect any problems with her teammates.

Hammie McMillan joked that he'd support his teammate Oskar Eriksson.

Chinami Yoshida and Anna Hasselborg were on the ice together for the first time.

Yoshida said it's weird but amazing to play with her friend and rival Hasselborg.

Team Homan is excited for the Rock League.

JD Lind, the Typhoon general manager, will try to find the best positions for his players.

Lind said the goal is to find players who can communicate well and have a good balance.

The atmosphere will be fun with a bar on the ice.

Mouat said the Grand Slam has a good social atmosphere and the Rock League will be similar.

Mouat is looking forward to the intense atmosphere with the bar.

There will be interactions between fans and players.

Einarson is excited to socialize with fans and give back to the sport.

Wranå said curling needs something new to attract more fans.

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