Having experienced Canadian broomball for the first two times (96 World Victoria BC, and 98 Gold Broom Saskatoon SK) and after playing all the stellar teams that had come to Minnesota for The International, I found myself craving that International type tourney atmosphere again. Luckily, I began working for the City of Rosemount in 1996 as it’s Community Center Manager, and the Parks and Recreation Director at that time was eager to bring adult sports into his new ice arena.
After much consultation with influential Canadian organizers such as Terry Forbes, Pierre Laforrest, and Don Gray, we decided to pattern an event in Rosemount after the Gold Broom. All CBF rules at that time, as well as rules unique to the Gold Broom were put into place (including full contact and the GB 5 min for fighting rule). 5x7 goal frames were purchased, and away we went!
The inaugural event included Atlantic Republic, from the Maritime Provinces, The Manitoba Hawks, and the top two American teams at that time, Hansen Sports and Jaro’s/CH Anderson. Hansen Sports captured the very first North American, and the tournament has now become the longest consecutive running broomball event in the world (to the best of The Mag’s knowledge) with over 200 different teams having participated, and players from at least 20 states and 6 different provinces! Somehow it survived the Covid purge that wiped out so many annual occurring tourneys.
The format and rules have changed several times. The fighting major had to be abandoned after a particularly nasty bench-clearer in 2001 (Blue v Rapid Fire). Contact was eliminated in 2008 (participation was withering with it in place). CBF rules were eventually replaced with USA Broomball rules, and tourney HQ shifted from Rosemount to Augsburg in 2009 (with a stop in New Hope in 2010). The Midwestern division was also added in 2001, after watching the power teams trounce B and C level teams, who had showed much courage in entering.
North American Champions
2022 - Kelly Lake
2021 - Kelly Lake
2020 – Kelly Lake
2019 - C&L Excavating
2018 – Barrie’s Tavern
2017 – Barrie’s Tavern
2016 – Geez
2015- Barrie’s Tavern
2014 – Barrie’s Tavern
2013 – USA Hawks
2012 – Inferno
2011 – Inferno
2010- Blues
2009 – Inferno
2008 – Inferno
2007 – Inferno
2006 – Inferno
2005 – QA
2004 – USA Blue
2003 – USA Blue
2002 – USA Blue
2001 – USA Blue
2000 - Jaro’s/CH Anderson
1999 – Hansen Sports
1998 – Hansen Sports
Midwestern Champions -
2022 - C&L Excavating
2021 - C&L Excavating
2020 – Flames
2019 – Wolves
2018 – Fargo Warriors
2017 – Furious
2016 – Flames
2015 – Fargo Warriors
2014 – Kelly Lake
2013 – Billy’s
2012 – Whiskey Sticks
2011 – Bergey’s
2010- Two3
2009 – Superior Machine
2008 – Beaver Roofing
2007 – Penetrators
2006 – Hitmen
2005 – Hitmen
2004 – Life Chiro
2003 – Bud Light
2002 – Bogeys
2001 - Lifeworks