Take a curling break with us this week as TESN host Price Atkinson is joined again by The Pickwick executive chef and Duluth Curling Club's Dustin "Specs" Tomasetti. They covered a lot of ground including how much pressure is on Team USA next spring with just one World Championship that will now determine the six guaranteed Olympic spots. And what one U.S. curling "classic" game would they most like see replayed on TV?

Our guest this week is two-time U.S. Olympian and World Curling Federation analyst Ann Swisshelm who shared a powerful message opening up about her five-week battle with COVID-19. Ann also talked about what the struggle has been like battling the virus as an asthmatic, not leaving the house for over a month except to go to the doctor, how tough it's been for her family and husband Sean and also the outpouring of support she's received from the curling community.

And finally, Price and Specs on Netfix's hit series "Tiger King" and why they simply cannot stop watching the "train wreck."

This week we switched things up and held our first-ever Team USA fantasy curling draft! TESN's "The Godfather" Joe Calabrese & Price Atkinson along with CurlingZone's Gerry Geurts and The Wick's executive chef/Duluth Curling Club member Dustin "Specks" Tomasetti each drafted their own women's and men's team.

Each women's and men's fantasy team were comprised of four active players plus one wild card/retired player. It was a lot of fun and you can vote at TESN.us on who you think built the best fantasy teams! Price also talked with Specks about the ongoing coronavirus situation and the harsh reality and effect it's having on local small businesses like his restaurant (Pickwick Restaurant & Pub) in downtown Duluth, Minn.

​So who had the best drafts.  Vote below...

Rules of the draft

- Each team is made up of 4 active players (players who played either the challenge round, USA Curing Nationals or on tour), and one "retired" player who did not play 4 person teams this year.
- Each player must be eligible to play in the US.
- Draft was serpentine #1 pick gets #8 pick, #2 pick gets #7 pick, etc.
- Don't have to pick by position
- Next game is played soon (no time for long development of a player) 

Full Draft Order

The curling season might be over but we're far from done. "The Godfather" Joe Calabrese returns this week to co-host with Price Atkinson and they get into about the latest and state of things in with the novel coronavirus worsening by the day, including the Summer Olympics now postponed until 2021. Could the start of next season also be in jeopardy?

New USA Curling CEO Jeff Plush joins us for the first time, as he's approaching almost two months on the job since starting the week of US Nationals. He shared what he told and heard from Team Peterson and Shuster upon the cancelation of the World Championships, could the WCF be formulating a plan to play both in the fall, his priorities for the coming months and much more.

CurlingZone's Gerry Geurts returns to co-host with Price Atkinson and they hop right into the fluid nature of the COVID-19 epidemic that is wreaking havoc across the world. And that includes the curling world with event cancelations, postponements and more.

Our guest this week is Denver Curling Club's Aaron Johnston, fresh off winning the 2020 USA Curling Club Nationals men's title last weekend at the Potomac Curling Club outside of Washington, DC. Aaron shares everything about the event and how it compares to past Nationals he has competed in. And he also talks about the positive coronavirus test by a player who played in the event as well as how they were coping last week with everything changing around them in regarding to the crisis.

Price and Gerry wrap it up and promise we WILL have more episodes the rest of the season. Just because the curling action may be done on the ice, it doesn't mean we are! Stay safe, healthy and be smart out there. And we're thinking about everybody navigating thru this turbulent and uncertain time.

Co-hosts Jenna Martin and Price Atkinson recap all the action from Spokane and the 2020 USA Curling Nationals, as John Shuster and Tabitha Peterson captured national titles. Plus the fun we had off the ice around the craps and roulette tables.

We also preview the 2020 USA Mixed Doubles Curling Nationals this weekend in Bemidji where 12 teams will be competing for the title of Team USA and spot in the upcoming Mixed Doubles World Championship this April in Kelowna, British Columbia!

The 2020 U.S. Curling National Championships begin tomorrow (Saturday, Feb. 8) at Eastern Washington University's URC Ice Arena. And co-host Price Atkinson welcomes the "Angry Bird" Sean Murray to the podcast for the first time this season, as he'll be delivering color analysis on the webs stream from Nationals.

They break down both the women's and men's fields, who could be a dark horse (is there even a dark horse?) and who gets the favorite label on the men's side (Dropkin or Shuster). And don't forget, we'll stream each draw LIVE on TESN from start to finish!

After a week off at the Grand Slam in Yorkton, Price and Jenna return for a busy week including a pair of guest interviews with newly minted 2020 USA Curling Junior National Champion skips Laney Strouse and Luc Violette.

We also dive into Team Roth and the YoungBucks' impressive runs at the GSOC Canadian Open quarterfinals in Yorkton. Plus who is emerging as THE favorites and team-to-beat at the upcoming US National in Spokane, WA (Feb. 8-15)?

The Godfather Joe Calabrese is back to pinch hit co-hosting duties with Price Atkinson this week. We recap all the action from the USA Men's and Women's Challenge Rounds last weekend and who were the biggest surprises on each side?

Plus an interview with 2010 Olympian John Benton, who is coaching Team USA at the Winter Youth Olympic Games in Lausanne, Switzerland starting this weekend. We have a lot of ground to cover, so don't miss a minute on your home for all things USA Curling!

Our first episode of 2020 brings back memories of 2019 plus we have the return of "The Godfather" himself. TESN co-founder Joe Calabrese makes his first appearance of the season, joining co-hosts Jenna Martin and Price Atkinson who all share their top-five USA Curling moments/events/observations from 2019.

Price talks with this week's guest skip Madison Bear, as her team prepares for the USA Women's Challenge Round in Mapleton, Minn. And she shares a little-know fact about Jenna since they played together last season. We wrap things up looking at the Challenge Round fields and a few "bold" predictions for 2020.

Fresh off their win at the Changan Ford International Curling Elite in China, Team Ruohonen skip Rich Ruohonen dishes on their victorious run thru the event and even carrying their winnings nervously thru the Beijing airport. Plus how teammate Colin Hufman brought the house down with his talent-show-winning karaoke Frank Sinatra track at the closing ceremony/banquet.

Being our pre-Christmas edition, Price and Jenna share their "Christmas hot takes" and Jenna also belts out her favorite Christmas song to put us all in the holiday spirit!