Jason Arndt, jarndt@wolfrivermedia.com
Leader Photo by Jason Arndt Goalie Brenda Laehn, of the ModTech team, prepares to put a ball into play after successfully defending a shot Saturday during the inaugural Shawano Hockey Broomball Tournament at the Crawford Center. The event was a fundraiser for the Shawano youth and high school hockey programs.
Leader Photo by Jason Arndt Hunter Ludvigsen, of the Knope Roofing and Furnace Co. team, takes a shot Saturday against Andrew Fehlaber at the inaugural Shawano Hockey Broomball Tournament at the Crawford Center.
Fewer teams than anticipated turned out for its inaugural broomball tournament Saturday, but that won’t deter the Shawano Hockey League from making it an annual event.
The event, which attracted six teams and raised $600, was a fundraiser for the Shawano Hockey League youth teams and the hockey program at Shawano Community High School.
“We were hoping to get 10 (teams), at least,” said Noelle Lammers, co-organizer of the event. “But we decided to give it a shot with the six and get it started. Maybe more teams will find out about it next year.”
As in hockey, each broomball team consisted of six players, including a goalie. Hockey sticks were replaced by aluminum broomball sticks, about 46 inches long, and the puck by a orange rubber ball about 5.5 inches in diameter. Participants wore rubber-soled shoes instead of skates, and the ice was prepared to improve traction. As in hockey, the goal is to outscore your opponent.
The “broom” at the end of each stick is molded rubber, about 8 inches high and 5 inches wide, with enough of a curve to enable a skilled player to add some lift to shots and passes.
Participants seemed to enjoy their time on the Crawford Center ice in the roundrobin tourney Saturday.
“It was a pretty good time, and a good time with my buddies,” said Cody Brandt, who played for Knope Roofing and Furnace Co Inc. “It is for a good cause. … The money goes to the teams, and hopefully we get more teams next year.”
Risk Rosenow, whose 5-year-old daughter, Roselynn, participates in the youth hockey league, played on the winning TimberPro team.
“I grew up playing Shawano hockey,” Risk Rosenow said. “I started when we were outdoors on the Wolf River, and I played roughly 10 years. And just this year, my daughter became old enough to start playing hockey.”
Rosenow said about 30 children played in the mini-mite division, the youngest of the club’s five age groups. He and the other volunteers did whatever they could to help.
“We were here three days a week, every week, for almost five months and we loved it — and miss it, and it’s only been two weeks since the end of the season,” Rosenow said. “It basically was our life all winter long.”
The tournament was organized by Lammers, hockey league vice president Greg Rusch, and parents Sarah Gagnow and Sandy Chapman.
While Lammers would like to have more teams participate next year, she was pleased with the reception of the participants and the families in Shawano “who made it happen.”
Raffle baskets were donated by Ho-Chunk Casino, North Star Casino, Seagrave and Bay Tek Games, which made an additional financial contribution. Rosin Woodwork Co. of Bonduel also made a cash contribution.
TimberPro, Modtech, Knope Roofing and Furnace Co. and Gary’s Doors and Services sponsored teams. Teams named Dillinger’s Fusion and Old Men Running also participated.
First-place TimberPro and runnerup Dillinger’s Fusion each donated its cash prize of $200 and $100, respectively, back to the hockey program.