Hi, my name is Roman the Gnome. I enjoy traveling very much and this week I took a trip back home to Roseau, Minnesota. It is very chilly up here in the winter, but during tourney time the town is buzzing with hockey fanatics from all over. At first, you may think this weekend is going to be slow, but you will come to learn that this little town is overflowing with things to do. Come with me as I take you through a hockey weekend in Roseau.
I started off my weekend by checking into my hotel. I stayed at the cozy Americinn. They were so welcoming and provided great service. After checking in, I went up to my room and jumped on my freshly made bed. It was almost like laying on a cloud. Next, I went to check out the pool area. They had a good-sized pool, a nice hot tub, and they even had a sauna. That is where I spent most of my downtime at the hotel. In the mornings I ate their delicious, and free, continental breakfast. Each morning I had a waffle, yogurt, and some juice. Great fuel to start my day!
After a relaxing morning at the hotel, I began to hear my little tummy grumble. So, I decided to check out my lunch options. There is a place right next to the Memorial Arena and the North Rink called the American Legion. I know that during some tournaments there may be a spaghetti feed meal in the basement. I have eaten at a couple of my own and also helped serve at my siblings. Sometimes parents like to drop off their kids for warmups and then head over to the American Legion for a meal. They have a great selection of food on the menu and they serve both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. My personal favorite is the Chicken Bacon Ranch Wrap. Another yummy place I stopped to eat at was Jake’s Pizza! Don’t let the name fool you, other than pizza, they have much more on the menu. It is a great place to bring a youth team to eat after a long day of hockey. I ordered a large Canadian bacon pizza, and I ate the whole thing. Sometimes I get a side of their Jake’s sauce to dip my pizza in too. It was delicious!
Another great team event is bowling. Sparetime Bowling in Roseau is a guaranteed great time. (https://www.mybowlingclubwebsite.com/bowling/sparetime-bowl-amp-arcade-roseau-mn.) There are plenty of lanes for a whole team. You can order as much pizza and pop as you’d like. Sadly, it does cost extra, but it is very tasty! It makes for a great afternoon, or evening, in between games. The service was great and the people were so friendly.
Throughout the weekend, I bounced between the three rinks: Memorial Arena, the North Rink, and the Rams Sports Center. My favorite rink was the Memorial Arena. It is a historical landmark for this small town. Many sports teams get very excited when they hear they get to come up to Roseau and play there. They have plenty of seating and heaters to keep fans warm too. Here is a picture of me next to my favorite player, Aaron Huglen. The concession stand had a wide range of options. The most popular items seemed to be a taco in a bag, also known as a “Walking Taco” and a nacho supreme. While in Roseau, I highly recommend checking out a varsity boys’ hockey game if you have the chance. The atmosphere created by the Rams and their fans is unlike anything you will experience.
A great idea for Saturday night is to grab your skates and head out to Malung Hill. The address is 41071 Malung St, Roseau, MN 56751. There is a small outdoor rink and a sliding hill. It is a charming place to have some team bonding and make some fun memories. There is a warming house to keep your hands and feet warm too. I bundled up and stopped at Reed River Coffee Company to grab a hot chocolate before heading out. It was so fun to watch teams, friends, and families having some great times.
Having the opportunity to play in a hockey tournament in Roseau is truly a unique experience. Though it is a small town, there is so much to do. The community is very welcoming and everybody is so nice. It is a great place for the kids and their families. I hope I can come back next year and do it all over again.
Author: Rebecca Wensloff