Ben 🥌
@hoppecurls.bsky.social
Ask me about curling
US Contributor for Rock Channel and the Grand Slam of Curling
https://curlingintheusa.substack.com/
US Contributor for Rock Channel and the Grand Slam of Curling
https://curlingintheusa.substack.com/
Reposted by Ben 🥌
Rich Ruohonen will be the oldest American to compete at the Winter Olympics, but the 54-year-old is happy to help out Team Casper in any way he can in Milano Cortina.
✍️ Ben Hoppe has the story ⬇️
✍️ Ben Hoppe has the story ⬇️
Ruohonen ready to embrace 'old guy role' on Team Casper at Winter Olympics
For the uninformed viewer of curling at the 2026 Winter Olympics, it will be easy to assume that Rich Ruohonen is the coach or a long-time advisor of the team. He knows it, too. He will, after all, be...
www.thegrandslamofcurling.com
January 16, 2026 at 5:42 PM
Rich Ruohonen will be the oldest American to compete at the Winter Olympics, but the 54-year-old is happy to help out Team Casper in any way he can in Milano Cortina.
✍️ Ben Hoppe has the story ⬇️
✍️ Ben Hoppe has the story ⬇️
I had a great time (and a lot of laughs!) putting together this piece on the alternate at the Olympics for Team Casper, Rich Ruohonen!
Rich Ruohonen will be the oldest American to compete at the Winter Olympics, but the 54-year-old is happy to help out Team Casper in any way he can in Milano Cortina.
✍️ Ben Hoppe has the story ⬇️
✍️ Ben Hoppe has the story ⬇️
Ruohonen ready to embrace 'old guy role' on Team Casper at Winter Olympics
For the uninformed viewer of curling at the 2026 Winter Olympics, it will be easy to assume that Rich Ruohonen is the coach or a long-time advisor of the team. He knows it, too. He will, after all, be...
www.thegrandslamofcurling.com
January 16, 2026 at 5:44 PM
I had a great time (and a lot of laughs!) putting together this piece on the alternate at the Olympics for Team Casper, Rich Ruohonen!
Nice piece on Luc Violette's dad, Tom, who is playing this weekend trying to skip a team to club nationals!
www.wsaw.com/2026/01/16/f...
www.wsaw.com/2026/01/16/f...
Former curling Olympian mentors son to 2026 Winter Olympics
The curling coach won a bronze medal in 1992 and captured multiple national titles throughout his career. Violette’s most rewarding achievement involves his son Luc.
www.wsaw.com
January 16, 2026 at 3:01 AM
Nice piece on Luc Violette's dad, Tom, who is playing this weekend trying to skip a team to club nationals!
www.wsaw.com/2026/01/16/f...
www.wsaw.com/2026/01/16/f...
The pre-Olympics schedule blitz continues for Casper and Peterson.
I chatted with Tab and Tara Peterson earlier today. They mentioned the importance of showcasing the sport and telling their stories while also making sure they do all they need to prepare for Cortina.
I chatted with Tab and Tara Peterson earlier today. They mentioned the importance of showcasing the sport and telling their stories while also making sure they do all they need to prepare for Cortina.
The U.S. men's and women's curling teams in the house
January 16, 2026 at 1:39 AM
The pre-Olympics schedule blitz continues for Casper and Peterson.
I chatted with Tab and Tara Peterson earlier today. They mentioned the importance of showcasing the sport and telling their stories while also making sure they do all they need to prepare for Cortina.
I chatted with Tab and Tara Peterson earlier today. They mentioned the importance of showcasing the sport and telling their stories while also making sure they do all they need to prepare for Cortina.
Afrer the US Olympic Trials, Team Strouse skip Madison Bear posted one of her favorite quotes on social media, "We all do better when we all do better."
On the impact of the USA Curling HP curlers treating each other as one team and as friends 👇
www.thegrandslamofcurling.com/news/camarad...
On the impact of the USA Curling HP curlers treating each other as one team and as friends 👇
www.thegrandslamofcurling.com/news/camarad...
Camaraderie drives success for U.S. teams
If the camaraderie between U.S. teams was not already evident through the first five months of the season, it became clear on Friday of the Crown Royal Players' Championship.
www.thegrandslamofcurling.com
January 14, 2026 at 12:29 AM
Afrer the US Olympic Trials, Team Strouse skip Madison Bear posted one of her favorite quotes on social media, "We all do better when we all do better."
On the impact of the USA Curling HP curlers treating each other as one team and as friends 👇
www.thegrandslamofcurling.com/news/camarad...
On the impact of the USA Curling HP curlers treating each other as one team and as friends 👇
www.thegrandslamofcurling.com/news/camarad...
Reposted by Ben 🥌
The friendships between the USA’s High Performance Program curlers make for fun moments, but the curlers seem to view themselves as one big team as well, pushing each other to be better and improve.
✍️ Ben Hoppe has the story ⬇️
✍️ Ben Hoppe has the story ⬇️
Camaraderie drives success for U.S. teams
If the camaraderie between U.S. teams was not already evident through the first five months of the season, it became clear on Friday of the Crown Royal Players' Championship.
www.thegrandslamofcurling.com
January 13, 2026 at 8:01 PM
The friendships between the USA’s High Performance Program curlers make for fun moments, but the curlers seem to view themselves as one big team as well, pushing each other to be better and improve.
✍️ Ben Hoppe has the story ⬇️
✍️ Ben Hoppe has the story ⬇️
It's too bad LinkedIn Premium costs too much. I am really curious on this one 😅
January 12, 2026 at 11:40 PM
It's too bad LinkedIn Premium costs too much. I am really curious on this one 😅
Reposted by Ben 🥌
Thanks for coming out, Chris!
The Team Shuster member wrapped up his Grand Slam career with a bang this week... but we'll see him soon in Rock League as Frontier Curling Club's GM!
The Team Shuster member wrapped up his Grand Slam career with a bang this week... but we'll see him soon in Rock League as Frontier Curling Club's GM!
January 12, 2026 at 9:00 PM
Thanks for coming out, Chris!
The Team Shuster member wrapped up his Grand Slam career with a bang this week... but we'll see him soon in Rock League as Frontier Curling Club's GM!
The Team Shuster member wrapped up his Grand Slam career with a bang this week... but we'll see him soon in Rock League as Frontier Curling Club's GM!
PSA for curlers in the United States:
Order @cullenoncurling.bsky.social's book from bookshop.org. They give proceeds to your local indie book stores, and you may get it before the Feb 3rd official US release date!
Order @cullenoncurling.bsky.social's book from bookshop.org. They give proceeds to your local indie book stores, and you may get it before the Feb 3rd official US release date!
January 12, 2026 at 6:07 PM
PSA for curlers in the United States:
Order @cullenoncurling.bsky.social's book from bookshop.org. They give proceeds to your local indie book stores, and you may get it before the Feb 3rd official US release date!
Order @cullenoncurling.bsky.social's book from bookshop.org. They give proceeds to your local indie book stores, and you may get it before the Feb 3rd official US release date!
Reposted by Ben 🥌
“It's some tattoos and it's some armpits. They're having fun.”
Yes, Team Shuster went sleeveless at the Crown Royal Players’ Championship. And the Grand Slams are here for it.
Story by John Hodge ⬇️
www.thegrandslamofcurling.com/news/get-ove...
Yes, Team Shuster went sleeveless at the Crown Royal Players’ Championship. And the Grand Slams are here for it.
Story by John Hodge ⬇️
www.thegrandslamofcurling.com/news/get-ove...
‘Get over it’: Matt Hamilton defends Team Shuster’s sleeveless uniforms at Grand Slams
Curling is traditionally considered a gentleman’s game, one played by clean-cut athletes who practice impeccable sportsmanship. Tattoos and armpit hair typically aren’t part of that equation.
www.thegrandslamofcurling.com
January 12, 2026 at 4:39 PM
“It's some tattoos and it's some armpits. They're having fun.”
Yes, Team Shuster went sleeveless at the Crown Royal Players’ Championship. And the Grand Slams are here for it.
Story by John Hodge ⬇️
www.thegrandslamofcurling.com/news/get-ove...
Yes, Team Shuster went sleeveless at the Crown Royal Players’ Championship. And the Grand Slams are here for it.
Story by John Hodge ⬇️
www.thegrandslamofcurling.com/news/get-ove...
Reposted by Ben 🥌
A very fun last dance at the Grand Slam of Curling for Christopher Plys!
We'll see him soon as the GM of Rock League team Frontier Curling Club!
We'll see him soon as the GM of Rock League team Frontier Curling Club!
January 12, 2026 at 3:07 PM
A very fun last dance at the Grand Slam of Curling for Christopher Plys!
We'll see him soon as the GM of Rock League team Frontier Curling Club!
We'll see him soon as the GM of Rock League team Frontier Curling Club!
Team Peterson made Gim work for it in their quarterfinal, but a nice angle run from the Korean Olympic team ends the run for the USA women. They'll head back home to Minnesota for a little before their pre-Olympics training camp in Switzerland.
January 10, 2026 at 10:50 PM
Team Peterson made Gim work for it in their quarterfinal, but a nice angle run from the Korean Olympic team ends the run for the USA women. They'll head back home to Minnesota for a little before their pre-Olympics training camp in Switzerland.
The final Slam for at least Chris Plys and Colin Hufman comes to a close in the quarterfinal. What a crazy good run the team has been on all year.
Now, their attention can turn to the USA National Championship next month in Charlotte.
Now, their attention can turn to the USA National Championship next month in Charlotte.
January 10, 2026 at 10:42 PM
The final Slam for at least Chris Plys and Colin Hufman comes to a close in the quarterfinal. What a crazy good run the team has been on all year.
Now, their attention can turn to the USA National Championship next month in Charlotte.
Now, their attention can turn to the USA National Championship next month in Charlotte.
Shuster takes down world #1 Bruce Mouat in a wild tiebreaker game. They'll get another Scottish team, Ross Whyte, in the quarterfinals.
January 10, 2026 at 6:55 PM
Shuster takes down world #1 Bruce Mouat in a wild tiebreaker game. They'll get another Scottish team, Ross Whyte, in the quarterfinals.
The second half of this game has been... odd.
Incredibly high level of execution in this second end of the Mouat-Shuster tiebreaker. Doesn't get much better.
January 10, 2026 at 6:29 PM
The second half of this game has been... odd.
Incredibly high level of execution in this second end of the Mouat-Shuster tiebreaker. Doesn't get much better.
January 10, 2026 at 5:15 PM
Incredibly high level of execution in this second end of the Mouat-Shuster tiebreaker. Doesn't get much better.
The win earned Team Shuster a tiebreaker game vs Mouat at 1030am CST.
What a draw by John Shuster, what a sweep by Hamilton and Hufman, what a line call from Chris Plys.
Shuster makes a perfect draw to beat Edin in the 8th end!
Shuster makes a perfect draw to beat Edin in the 8th end!
January 10, 2026 at 4:53 AM
The win earned Team Shuster a tiebreaker game vs Mouat at 1030am CST.
What a draw by John Shuster, what a sweep by Hamilton and Hufman, what a line call from Chris Plys.
Shuster makes a perfect draw to beat Edin in the 8th end!
Shuster makes a perfect draw to beat Edin in the 8th end!
January 10, 2026 at 4:27 AM
What a draw by John Shuster, what a sweep by Hamilton and Hufman, what a line call from Chris Plys.
Shuster makes a perfect draw to beat Edin in the 8th end!
Shuster makes a perfect draw to beat Edin in the 8th end!
Niklas Edin spinner just made this much harder. Shuster down 1 with hammer coming home. Needs 2 for playoff chances.
If my math is right, Team Shuster needs to win in 8 ends to have a chance at playoffs. Depending on their DSC score, they may be able to avoid tiebreakers with that regulation win as well. Big game in a rematch of the 2018 gold medal game. Will Edin play spoiler?
January 10, 2026 at 4:05 AM
Niklas Edin spinner just made this much harder. Shuster down 1 with hammer coming home. Needs 2 for playoff chances.
🚨🚨 Niklas Edin spinner alert 🚨🚨
January 10, 2026 at 4:03 AM
🚨🚨 Niklas Edin spinner alert 🚨🚨
If my math is right, Team Shuster needs to win in 8 ends to have a chance at playoffs. Depending on their DSC score, they may be able to avoid tiebreakers with that regulation win as well. Big game in a rematch of the 2018 gold medal game. Will Edin play spoiler?
January 10, 2026 at 1:15 AM
If my math is right, Team Shuster needs to win in 8 ends to have a chance at playoffs. Depending on their DSC score, they may be able to avoid tiebreakers with that regulation win as well. Big game in a rematch of the 2018 gold medal game. Will Edin play spoiler?
As a result of their shootout loss this morning (1 point) and Tirinzoni's win over Yoshimura, Team Peterson is into the playoffs regardless of their result tonight against Rachel Homan.
Shuster will need a win tonight to have a chance at playoffs or tiebreaker.
Shuster will need a win tonight to have a chance at playoffs or tiebreaker.
January 9, 2026 at 8:56 PM
As a result of their shootout loss this morning (1 point) and Tirinzoni's win over Yoshimura, Team Peterson is into the playoffs regardless of their result tonight against Rachel Homan.
Shuster will need a win tonight to have a chance at playoffs or tiebreaker.
Shuster will need a win tonight to have a chance at playoffs or tiebreaker.
RIP sleeves.
Lots of jersey sleeves have gone by the wayside for the US Olympic Team Trials rematch between John Shuster and Danny Casper.
Team Casper told me on Tuesday they were excited to talk some trash. Excited to see what we've got in store!
watch.rockchannel.com
Lots of jersey sleeves have gone by the wayside for the US Olympic Team Trials rematch between John Shuster and Danny Casper.
Team Casper told me on Tuesday they were excited to talk some trash. Excited to see what we've got in store!
watch.rockchannel.com
Rock Channel - Free Curling Streaming | Grand Slam of Curling Live & On-Demand
Watch elite curling free on Rock Channel. Stream every Grand Slam of Curling game live, plus Broom Brothers podcast, original shows, and exclusive content. No subscription required.
watch.rockchannel.com
January 9, 2026 at 6:05 PM
RIP sleeves.
Lots of jersey sleeves have gone by the wayside for the US Olympic Team Trials rematch between John Shuster and Danny Casper.
Team Casper told me on Tuesday they were excited to talk some trash. Excited to see what we've got in store!
watch.rockchannel.com
Lots of jersey sleeves have gone by the wayside for the US Olympic Team Trials rematch between John Shuster and Danny Casper.
Team Casper told me on Tuesday they were excited to talk some trash. Excited to see what we've got in store!
watch.rockchannel.com
Lots of great stuff about US teams in @jonathanbrazeau.bsky.social's latest notebook following Peterson and Casper's strong showing earlier today.
It's been quite the journey for Team Peterson to return to the top flight of the Grand Slam of Curling, and the American squad has been riding the momentum at the Crown Royal Players' Championship.
📓 Jonathan Brazeau has more in his notebook. ⬇️
📓 Jonathan Brazeau has more in his notebook. ⬇️
Crown Royal Players' Championship Notebook: Peterson, Casper ramping up for Olympics
It's been quite the journey for Team Peterson to return to the top flight of the Grand Slam of Curling, but the American team has been riding the momentum at the Crown Royal Players' Championship.
www.thegrandslamofcurling.com
January 8, 2026 at 11:11 PM
Lots of great stuff about US teams in @jonathanbrazeau.bsky.social's latest notebook following Peterson and Casper's strong showing earlier today.
American Olympic teams sweep Sweden in the 12pm draw at the Players' Championship!
Danny Casper wins 6-3 over Niklas Edin in 7 ends, and Tab Peterson played lights out to defeat Anna Hasselborg 8-5!
Danny Casper wins 6-3 over Niklas Edin in 7 ends, and Tab Peterson played lights out to defeat Anna Hasselborg 8-5!
January 8, 2026 at 8:28 PM
American Olympic teams sweep Sweden in the 12pm draw at the Players' Championship!
Danny Casper wins 6-3 over Niklas Edin in 7 ends, and Tab Peterson played lights out to defeat Anna Hasselborg 8-5!
Danny Casper wins 6-3 over Niklas Edin in 7 ends, and Tab Peterson played lights out to defeat Anna Hasselborg 8-5!