It always amazes me how sometimes things pop up that fit with what you are attempting to do without really going looking for them.
Recently I delved into potential sports which might be added to the Winter Olympics. While not high on the list of possible sports, broomball did draw a mention.
Since I also happen to generally gravitate toward team sports for my viewing pleasure I at least momentarily contemplated broomball as a sport that might, with some proper promotion be a sport worthy of greater attention. I admit it was a short-lived consideration simply because broomball doesn’t seem to offer me much more than indoor soccer or hockey do, although there would likely be more shots and scoring than hockey now generates many nights.
Then as I was clearing emails at the office just the other day, a release on a major broomball event coming to Saskatchewan popped up.
The 2016 World Broomball Championship is coming to Regina Nov. 1 – 5.
The event will be held at Co-operators Centre.
An estimated 1,100 athletes and coaches from 48 teams from Japan, Italy, Australia, Sweden, the United States, Canada, and others will attend the championship, according to the release.
“It is so exciting to have so many teams involved as the World Broomball Championship comes to Regina for the first time,” said Mayor Michael Fougere in the release. “It will be a thrill for our citizens to witness the best teams this unique sport has to offer from every corner of the globe.”
For those not familiar with broomball, a sport with a definite following in Yorkton a couple of decades ago, it is played on a hockey rink with similar rules and strategies to hockey. Players wear shoes with thick rubber/sponge soles, and nets are a foot wider and higher than a typical hockey net.
“Broomball is a sport with a seasoned great history on the Canadian prairies and we are excited to be welcoming athletes and other visitors from around the world to take in the 2016 World Broomball Championship event,” said President and CEO of Tourism Regina, John Lee in the release. “With first-class venues, an outstanding organizing committee and a community renowned for its hospitality, visitors are sure to experience an unforgettable stay here in Regina.”
The World Broomball Championships occurs every two years, with the most recent World Championship taking place in Japan.
“We are thrilled to be bringing this International event to Regina. We are inviting every one of all ages to share in the excitement of the World Championships, learn more about Broomball, and take in all the action,” said Stacey Silzer, Saskatchewan Broomball Association Executive Director, again in the release.
Opening ceremonies for the Championship will take place on Oct. 31, with games beginning Nov. 1 and running all day across six rinks.
Tickets for the event will be available on location at the Co-operators Centre, as well as at the Saskatchewan Broomball Association office at 2205 Victoria Avenue.
And now my attention turns once more to my beloved Saskatchewan Rush.
The National Lacrosse League draft was held last Monday, and while I couldn’t watch it unfold on its live Internet feed as I was covering Yorkton Council, I eagerly checked things out later that evening.
The Rush, in spite of leading the West Division last season, and winning the league championship for a second straight year, were picking first and third overall. That speaks volumes in terms of savvy trades by the franchise, and bodes well in terms of future team depth.
With the NLL’s new commissioner Nick Sakiewicz announcing almost immediately after his appointment a desire to see the league expand to 16 or 18 teams, with the first additions as early as the 2018 season, teams are going to face expansion drafts ahead. That will siphon off talent, and if the NLL is wise they will make the pool available to new teams as large as possible to ensure competitiveness early from new franchises.
So stock piling talent is big for the Rush.
With their first overall the Rush selected talented forward Ryan Keenan.
The consensus top pick by most insiders, Keenan is regarded as the most-pro ready player in the talent pool with a polished game and skill set to match, making him the right fit for the two-time defending league champions. Saskatchewan acquired the pick two years ago by trading Corey Small to Vancouver for the Stealth’s first-round selection, detailed a franchise release online.
“The selection of Ryan Keenan is all about what he can bring to the Rush,” said Owner Bruce Urban.
“There is the obvious family connection, but with the first overall pick, you don’t play hunches or favourites. You take the best player on the board and without a doubt that player is Ryan Keenan.”
Keenan also happens to be the son of Rush GM/Head Coach Derek Keenan. The younger Keenan had an outstanding season with Quinnipiac, leading the school to it’s first-ever win in the NCAA Championship Tournament. Along the way, Keenan posted a 30-game scoring streak with 51 points including 33 goals, plus a plethora of individual honours including First Team MAAC Conference and MAAC Tournament Team and a spot on the MAAC Conference All-Academic Team. This past summer, Keenan registered 40 points in 13 games with Brooklin (Ontario’s Major Series Lacrosse), detailed the release.
“This is a very special opportunity to join such an amazing organization,” said Ryan Keenan. “It’s really incredible for my family, and I’m looking forward to getting started with the guys.”
“It’s an exciting moment and it’s obviously a big night for our family and for Ryan,” added Derek Keenan. “We’re just thrilled to have him on board with the Rush.”
How Keenan will factor into the already potent Rush offence led by Mark Matthews and recently acquired Adam Jones, (over in a deal with Colorado), and when, remains to be seen, but his resume suggests the team has acquired a definite star of the future.
Saskatchewan also had the third overall pick in the draft after acquiring a first-round selection from the Rochester Knighthawks. With the No. 3 pick, the Rush chose defenceman Michael Messenger from New Westminster (B.C.’s Western Lacrosse Association) where he put up seven points in regular-season action. In junior, Messenger helped the Coquitlam Adanacs win a pair B.C. provincial titles and earn spots in the Minto Cup.
Another player regarded as pro-ready, Messenger helped Limestone College win back-to-back NCAA Div. II championships in 2014 and 2015, and was named the ’15 championship game’s most outstanding player. After leading all of Div. II with 55 goals in 2015 to go with First Team All-American status, Messenger was selected as the 2016 Nike/Lax Magazine Div. II Pre-Season Player of the Year. He didn’t disappoint in his final season, racking up 60 goals and wrapping up the year by being named the USILA/Nike Div. II Most Outstanding Player, detailed the release.
“We’re really thrilled to get Mike Messenger on board,” said Coach Keenan. “He’s a big, physical defender who fits our style. He’s athletic, he’s got some skill to move the ball up the floor, and capable of taking face-offs as well. We think he can come in play right away.”
The Rush held the No. 19 pick, but opted to move up in the second round. To do so, the Rush shipped the No. 19 and a 2017 second-round pick to the New England Black Wolves in exchange for the No. 14 pick and grabbed transition player Matt Hossack who played for Keenan in junior and this past summer in Brooklin. Hossack, who is originally from Port Perry, Ontario, played his college ball with R.I.T. and in 2015 was named the Liberty League Defensive Player of the Year and the USILA Div. III Most Outstanding Player, states the release.
In the third round with the 30th overall pick, the Rush went back to a well they’ve used before. Saskatchewan selected Mason Pynn from Drexel University, which has produced Rush stars Robert Church and Ben McIntosh.
One round later with the 40th pick, the Rush went for home grown talent as they selected rugged defenceman Michael Kaminski from the Saskatoon Swat. Kaminski played an integral role as the Swat stepped up into its first season at the Junior ‘A’ in the Rocky Mountain League.
This is maybe the most intriguing selection. If Kaminski can factor into the Rush mix on even a sometimes basis, the team will have itself a home-grown fan favourite. That is important in the sense of building on the foundation of excellent fan support in the team’s first season in Saskatoon.
Kaminski, if successful in the NLL, would also be an automatic ambassador to grow the sport among youth in the province.
In the fifth round at No. 48, the Rush looked to the Canadian university ranks and opted for Spencer Bromley from the McGill University Redmen (CIS).
The Rush held the final pick of the draft, and in the sixth round at No. 57, Saskatchewan chose Rylee McKinnon from the Whitby Warriors (Ontario Junior ‘A’).
