Hello and welcome to another snowy Saturday here at the Wannaskan Almanac. Today is January 18th and boy, how 'bout that weather? Brrr!
On this day, modern hockey was born which is a lucky (blogging) break for me because today just happens to be Hockey Day Minnesota 2020 (aka HDM).
Yes, folks, while we've been known to tell tall tales on occasion here at the Wannaskan Almanac, this is in fact true. Hockey fans, players and parents are gathered today in Minneapolis, the 2020 Minnesota Hockey Mecca, to celebrate the sport that defines, shapes, embodies, embraces the spirit - whichever verb that tugs on your heart strings - of, not only the great state of Minnesota, but our Wannaskan region especially.
According to The history of Hockey Day Minnesota, the popular celebration began in 2007 with the very first puck of the very first game dropping in an outdoor rink on Baudette Bay in neighboring Lake of the Woods County. "St. Paul Johnson and Lake of the Woods School squared off in the first-ever Hockey Day Minnesota. Lake of the Woods would ultimately win 5-3, cementing its place in history as the first winners of a Hockey Day game."
Over the years, Hockey Day has morphed into a hockey weekend, expanding from its meager beginnings of hosting three games on one day to eight games over three days.
The Warroad High School Boys make their HDM debut in 2020 against the Minneapolis Boys at 9:30 a.m. today! Later in the afternoon, at 4:30 p.m., it's Ohio State vs. the Gophers, notable for Lady Warrior Quinn Kuntz '19 who is now a freshman goaltender at Ohio State. Patti Marshall of Thief River Falls plays defense for the Gophers and well, she may not be from Hockeytown, USA, but us northerners got to stick together, eh?
Other worthy Wannaskan hockey heroes who plan to make an appearance include Dave Christian, Warroad native and member of the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" team and Gigi Marvin, also of Warroad with not just one but three Olympic medals (2010 Silver, 2014 Silver, 2018 Gold) who will be in the booth for the women's college game with Chris Vosters doing play-by-play. It'll even be televised.
See more about the broadcasting schedule, lineup of talent, and events here.
Admittedly, my relationship with the sport is not quite as deep as the snowbanks that have amassed on our deck, but I do know a thing or two about hockey. I grew up ice skating and ice fishing on little Round Lake in Nisswa, but it wasn't until the move to the big city of Duluth that I got my first glimpse into the intensely devoted world of hockey. In Duluth there are 13 outdoor rinks providing ample space for both hockey and ice skating. My alma mater, Duluth East, has been a strong team in the MHSHL for as long as I can remember and Duluth hosted Hockey Day Minnesota in 2016.
But surely, if you're born and bred in the Wannaskan region - you already know that any claim to fame the Greyhounds might have is small potatoes compared to that of the homegrown folks right here. I may not have kids in hockey, but I've written enough hockey articles in the last six years to grow an appreciation and fondness for the sport and all the invigorating community spirit that comes with it. Since 2014, I've interviewed Gigi Marvin, Ginny Christian, Bill Christian, Dan McKinnon, Henry Boucha, Bob Lund, and Don Ross for the local tourism guide and the brand new 2020 Roseau/Warroad Visitor Guide includes features on Aaron Broten and Dave Christian. These players all share the same sentiment: they love hockey and they love their home.
Here are some stats for the sports fans. According to the Hockey Day Minnesota Wikipedia page, Lake of the Woods has participated twice (2007, 2008), Roseau also twice (2008, 2011) and Thief River Falls in 2017. The Duluth East Boys team has made 3 HDM appearances (2009, 2012, 2016), Denfeld Boys got in on the 2016 action, and the Duluth Girls team played one game in 2015. Girls' games have been few and far between it seems, with one game a piece in 2009, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2019. (The first women's game was played in 2017.) I'm optimistic that the Lady Warriors and Lady Rams will make their debuts soon and in case FOX Sports is reading this (or any of the other sponsors), I recommend 2021.
Lastly, according to today's historical highlight, in 1886 the Hockey Association was established in England which formalized "a modern version of the game that had already been played in ancient times" which is crazy talk because everyone knows that hockey got it's start in Canada (even though we all wish it had started here in Wannaska.) When I googled the claim further I learned that the fun fact about hockey in England is true - for field hockey.
So, oops, whew! and YAY!
Happy Hockey Day, Minnesota!
On this day, modern hockey was born which is a lucky (blogging) break for me because today just happens to be Hockey Day Minnesota 2020 (aka HDM).
Yes, folks, while we've been known to tell tall tales on occasion here at the Wannaskan Almanac, this is in fact true. Hockey fans, players and parents are gathered today in Minneapolis, the 2020 Minnesota Hockey Mecca, to celebrate the sport that defines, shapes, embodies, embraces the spirit - whichever verb that tugs on your heart strings - of, not only the great state of Minnesota, but our Wannaskan region especially.
According to The history of Hockey Day Minnesota, the popular celebration began in 2007 with the very first puck of the very first game dropping in an outdoor rink on Baudette Bay in neighboring Lake of the Woods County. "St. Paul Johnson and Lake of the Woods School squared off in the first-ever Hockey Day Minnesota. Lake of the Woods would ultimately win 5-3, cementing its place in history as the first winners of a Hockey Day game."
Over the years, Hockey Day has morphed into a hockey weekend, expanding from its meager beginnings of hosting three games on one day to eight games over three days.
The Warroad High School Boys make their HDM debut in 2020 against the Minneapolis Boys at 9:30 a.m. today! Later in the afternoon, at 4:30 p.m., it's Ohio State vs. the Gophers, notable for Lady Warrior Quinn Kuntz '19 who is now a freshman goaltender at Ohio State. Patti Marshall of Thief River Falls plays defense for the Gophers and well, she may not be from Hockeytown, USA, but us northerners got to stick together, eh?
Other worthy Wannaskan hockey heroes who plan to make an appearance include Dave Christian, Warroad native and member of the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" team and Gigi Marvin, also of Warroad with not just one but three Olympic medals (2010 Silver, 2014 Silver, 2018 Gold) who will be in the booth for the women's college game with Chris Vosters doing play-by-play. It'll even be televised.
See more about the broadcasting schedule, lineup of talent, and events here.
Admittedly, my relationship with the sport is not quite as deep as the snowbanks that have amassed on our deck, but I do know a thing or two about hockey. I grew up ice skating and ice fishing on little Round Lake in Nisswa, but it wasn't until the move to the big city of Duluth that I got my first glimpse into the intensely devoted world of hockey. In Duluth there are 13 outdoor rinks providing ample space for both hockey and ice skating. My alma mater, Duluth East, has been a strong team in the MHSHL for as long as I can remember and Duluth hosted Hockey Day Minnesota in 2016.
But surely, if you're born and bred in the Wannaskan region - you already know that any claim to fame the Greyhounds might have is small potatoes compared to that of the homegrown folks right here. I may not have kids in hockey, but I've written enough hockey articles in the last six years to grow an appreciation and fondness for the sport and all the invigorating community spirit that comes with it. Since 2014, I've interviewed Gigi Marvin, Ginny Christian, Bill Christian, Dan McKinnon, Henry Boucha, Bob Lund, and Don Ross for the local tourism guide and the brand new 2020 Roseau/Warroad Visitor Guide includes features on Aaron Broten and Dave Christian. These players all share the same sentiment: they love hockey and they love their home.
Here are some stats for the sports fans. According to the Hockey Day Minnesota Wikipedia page, Lake of the Woods has participated twice (2007, 2008), Roseau also twice (2008, 2011) and Thief River Falls in 2017. The Duluth East Boys team has made 3 HDM appearances (2009, 2012, 2016), Denfeld Boys got in on the 2016 action, and the Duluth Girls team played one game in 2015. Girls' games have been few and far between it seems, with one game a piece in 2009, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2019. (The first women's game was played in 2017.) I'm optimistic that the Lady Warriors and Lady Rams will make their debuts soon and in case FOX Sports is reading this (or any of the other sponsors), I recommend 2021.
Lastly, according to today's historical highlight, in 1886 the Hockey Association was established in England which formalized "a modern version of the game that had already been played in ancient times" which is crazy talk because everyone knows that hockey got it's start in Canada (even though we all wish it had started here in Wannaska.) When I googled the claim further I learned that the fun fact about hockey in England is true - for field hockey.
So, oops, whew! and YAY!
Happy Hockey Day, Minnesota!
On This Day
Historic Highlights (credits)
2002 - The Sierra Leone Civil War ends
The conflict had lasted 11 years and left over 50,000 dead.
1997 - Børge Ousland becomes the first person to cross Antarctica alone and unaided
The Norwegian polar explorer walked 3000 km (1864 miles) across the Earth's southernmost continent.
1943 - Insurgents in the Warsaw Ghetto take up arms against the German oppressors
This lead to the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, the largest single revolt by Jews during World War II.
1919 - The Paris Peace Conference opens
The aim of the conference was to set the peace terms after World War I, resulting in the signing of the Treaty of Versailles.
1886 - Modern hockey is born
The foundation of The Hockey Association in England formalized a modern version of the game that had already been played in ancient times.
The conflict had lasted 11 years and left over 50,000 dead.
1997 - Børge Ousland becomes the first person to cross Antarctica alone and unaided
The Norwegian polar explorer walked 3000 km (1864 miles) across the Earth's southernmost continent.
1943 - Insurgents in the Warsaw Ghetto take up arms against the German oppressors
This lead to the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, the largest single revolt by Jews during World War II.
1919 - The Paris Peace Conference opens
The aim of the conference was to set the peace terms after World War I, resulting in the signing of the Treaty of Versailles.
1886 - Modern hockey is born
The foundation of The Hockey Association in England formalized a modern version of the game that had already been played in ancient times.
Happy Birthday to You!🎶
1955 - Kevin Costner, American actor, singer, director, producer
1913 - Danny Kaye, American actor
1892 - Oliver Hardy, American comedian, actor
1882 - A. A. Milne, English author
1689 - Montesquieu, French philosopher
1913 - Danny Kaye, American actor
1892 - Oliver Hardy, American comedian, actor
1882 - A. A. Milne, English author
1689 - Montesquieu, French philosopher
Remembering You
2011 - Sargent Shriver, American politician, 21st United States Ambassador to France
1956 - Konstantin Päts, Estonian politician, 1st President of Estonia
1952 - Curly Howard, American actor, comedian
1936 - Rudyard Kipling, English author, poet, Nobel Prize laureate
1862 - John Tyler, American lawyer, politician, 10th President of the United States
1956 - Konstantin Päts, Estonian politician, 1st President of Estonia
1952 - Curly Howard, American actor, comedian
1936 - Rudyard Kipling, English author, poet, Nobel Prize laureate
1862 - John Tyler, American lawyer, politician, 10th President of the United States
Grab your stick and skates, find some ice, and make it a great Saturday!
Kim
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| photo credit: spongecoach.com |
Let's play hockey!
ReplyDeleteAccording to the National Museum of the American Indian, American Indians invented hockey, originating from a game they called “shinny.” Participants would pass a buckskin ball up and down a field using a curved stick, (not to be confused with Lacrosse -- yet another currently popular sport originated by indigenous people) seeking an opportunity to whack the ball into the opposing team's goal. During the winter, they played on the ice. The site indicates the European immigrants first saw the game in about the 1500s.
ReplyDeleteSHE SHOOTS! SHE SCORES!
Barbra (Larson) Roseen, of Roseau, authored an article published in a 2009 issue of THE RAVEN: Northwest Minnesota's Original Art, History & Humor Journal, Volume 9, Iss 4, titled: "Memories of Wannaska Girls Hockey in the 1950s." Barbra was a member of Wannaska's 1953 Roseau Area Girls Hockey Championship team, defeating Ross by a score of 1-0 with Yvonne (Oslund) Rahn making the winning goal.
For further reading, please go to the Roseau County Historical Museum and ask to read their copy.
Awesome! Thanks so much, Steve! Next time I will consult with you while writing my post! "Shinny" rings a bell, as I think Henry Boucha used this term too.
Delete