New Curling Teams to Watch This Season

Curling fans are in for surprises this season as many teams have undergone significant changes due to retirements and player swaps. The first Grand Slam of Curling event is set to take place next week, highlighting these new lineups.

Matt Dunstone's team has added Mark Nichols at second after E.J. Harnden's retirement. Nichols, known for his previous role with Brad Gushue, will need to adjust to his new position. The team has already secured a win in Okotoks, Alberta, but faces pressure to perform early in the season.

Brendan Bottcher returns as skip, bringing in the Horgan brothers from John Epping's team, while Kerri Einarson's squad has replaced Val Sweeting with Jocelyn Peterman. Additionally, Serena Gray-Withers' team has added Laura Walker, aiming to improve their ranking. The off-season also saw a notable swap between Team Mouat and Team Hardie, with both teams starting strong. Meanwhile, the legendary Niklas Edin has retired, leaving a significant gap in the sport.