The 2013 Spirit of Duluth Tournament

The tournament, which runs December 6-8, features Peewees, Bantams, and Jr Gold teams from around the state and from Canada, Wisconsin, and South Dakota. This is the tournament’s 37th year, and is volunteer run by hockey enthusiasts in the Duluth community.

Together with Sport Ngin, the Minneapolis based sports technology company, the Spirit has undergone a significant technological face lift. In addition to a brand new logo and website, brand new Sport Ngin technology will be driving the greatest fan and participant experience that an amateur sporting event has ever seen.

"Growing up, the Spirit was the tournament that every team wanted to not only participate in, but also bring home that hardware" said Jim Dahline, product marketing manager for Sport Ngin. "I'm excited for the technology that we are bringing to the Spirit to help a new generation of kids, fans and parents create life long memories. That's what it's all about"

The Spirit of Duluth schedules, standings and stats will be powered with Sport Ngin Tourney. Fans and pariticipants will be able to follow along with the Spirit of Duluth mobile app on iPhone and Android. Fans can purchase apparel and merchandise directly from our online store as well.

Also exciting, all games will be played on the Sill rink, including Championship Sunday games, and will be streamed live with Sport Ngin Broadcast. These streams will be FREE, available live, and also for playback immediately following each game.

"The Spirit has been a part of our family for years, and I'm just thrilled that my first year being on the committee is such an exciting one." said Megan Oswald, tournament manager. "Working with Sport Ngin has been incredible, and we can't wait to drop the puck"

The Spirit of Duluth brings some of the best hockey teams in the region to Duluth PeeWee AA, Bantam AA and Jr. Gold teams from Minnesota, Wisconsin, South Dakota and Canada participate in the three day event.

Through Spirit of Duluth, a list of events has been prepared for those who have traveled for the tournament, including special priced tickets to watch the University of Minnesota Duluth take on the St. Cloud State Huskies on both Friday and Saturday night.  A link with that information can be found below.


Thanks to Sport Ngin, the Spirit of Duluth Tournament has received a technology facelift, which includes an app that hit the App Store on Friday. The new app allows anyone interested in the tournament to follow along, no matter where they are. By allowing the user to choose a team, they can get updates on their team’s progress throughout the tournament.

Other features of the app include the schedule, news updates, rosters, and standings. “The ability to know your standings no matter where you are playing is a huge benefit,” said Bill Oswald, tournament chair. “This way, coaches know when their team is playing next without having to call in and wait.” Perhaps the most unique feature of the app is the ability to watch games live from the Sill arena. “We anticipate many people will use the feature from their homes to watch when they can’t get to the rink.” Oswald noted.

The mobile app also links in the prominent use of cell phones – social media. Those connected to the tournament can post comments, pictures, and videos that will be featured as part of the Social Stream.


For a number of years prior to 1977, Duluth Traveling Teams at the Pee Wee, Bantam, and Midget levels were invited to tournaments throughout Minnesota and Canada without the ability to reciprocate and host tournaments of their own. This was do to the lack of access to suitable arenas having artificial ice. With the installation of artificial ice at DAHA’s Peterson Arena in 1975 and the opening of the Pioneer Hall Annex in 1977, coupled with the Duluth Arena and the old curling club already in existence, the stage was set to host a tournament. All that was needed was for someone to start the ball rolling.

Here are some of the notable Spirit of Duluth alumni:

Player	Hometown	College
Adam Roy	Grand Rapids, MN	Minnesota Duluth
Brett Larson	Duluth, MN	Minnesota Duluth
Ben Clymer	Bloomington, MN	Minnesota
Chris Marinucci	Grand Rapids, MN	Minnesota Duluth
Darby Hendrickson	Richfield, MN	Minnesota
Derek Plante	Cloquet, MN	Minnesota Duluth
Eric Ramsey	Edina, MN	Minnesota
Grant Bishoff	Grand Rapids, MN	Minnesota
Jamie Langenbrenner	Cloquet, MN	NHL
Joel Thorpe	Brooklyn Park, MN	Minnesota
Kevin Hoogsteen	Thunder Bay, ONT	North Dakota
Kyle Kolquist	Duluth, MN	Notre Dame
Nate Anderson	Deerwood, MN	Minnesota Duluth
Pete Stauber	Duluth, MN	Lake Superior State
Phil Kessel	Madison, WI	Minnesota
Rob Anderson	Superior, WI	Minnesota Duluth
Robb Stauber	Duluth, MN	Minnesota

Over the years, the Spirit of Duluth Hockey tournament has had a tremendous economic impact on the city of Duluth. It is estimated that the Spirit of Duluth tournament brings in over 1.5 million dollars yearly to the Duluth economy. All profits from the tournament help to fund the traveling teams in Duluth, currently the 2 Pee Wee, 1 Bantam and 1 Jr. Gold teams directly benefit from the tournament.