Park Ridge

Bandy Seeds Being Planted in Chicago
(released by Thom Wynn, American Bandy Association, April 25, 2011)

Park Ridge, Illinois - It’s enough of a challenge to raise interest in a sport that many people have never even heard of before, let alone trying to gather equipment for those people to use once they have committed to trying this mysterious sport. But this is the monumental task that Jordan Mann has undertaken in the Chicago suburb of Park Ridge Illinois. Mann, the Learn-to-Play Hockey Coordinator at Oakton Ice Arena, has announced that he will be directing summer Bandy classes at the rink starting in June.

The project has been Mann’s passion since visiting the home of USA Bandy in Roseville Minnesota last winter, spending a long weekend playing games and talking to Players, Officials, Trainers, and fans. Asked about his Bandy experience in Minnesota, Mann responded “I really came to appreciate the sport playing on the big ice. As someone who has been skating since the age of three, and has experience with figure skating, hockey, speed skating, and curling, I was amazed just how unique Bandy really is. The skills were familiar, but the game was like nothing I had experienced before. I loved the speed and the pace, but the best part for me was being outdoors on an ice sheet that seemed never ending. It was a fantastically free feeling”. When asked how he first got involved with Bandy, Mann said “I first heard about bandy through a friend who traveled to Sweden to play hockey. I found the USA Bandy website while I was trying to learn more about the sport, and contacted someone within the organization who helped me obtain sticks and balls, and eventually put me in touch with more people in the MN bandy community. I was blown away by everyone’s helpfulness and desire to get me involved in the sport”.

As those involved with USA Bandy will tell you, the sport is far from a household name in the United States, and the farther you move away from Roseville, the less people seem to know about the sport. Even in Roseville, the epicenter of US Bandy, it can be very difficult to locate equipment. So an attempt at gathering equipment in the Chicago area is a logistical nightmare in itself. Much of the equipment that Mann will obtain will be either bought or donated from his connections in Minnesota, or purchased from a Bandy supplier in Sweden via the internet. But Jordan Mann feels like it’s worth the effort. “I am a skating instructor and program coordinator by profession, so I am very interested in promoting all ice sports. I feel like this sport deserves a lot more attention, and the reason we are able to offer these Bandy classes, is thanks to the forward thinking of Director of Skating David Santee, Learn To Skate Supervisor Ingrid Santee, and Facility Manager Brent Dolan”. “These classes are designed as a chance for anyone interested in Bandy to get out and play, with no prerequisites. We’re looking for people of all ages and skill levels. I’m confident that once people give it a try, they’ll become hooked the way I did” he said.

Oakton Ice Arena is located at 2800 W Oakton Street in Park Ridge, and classes are held Saturdays from 11:30 AM - 12:50 PM beginning June 18th, and will continue through August 13th. Those interested in trying Bandy should contact Jordan Mann for further information on classes, including cost and equipment.

Contact:  Jordan Mann, Learn-to-Play Hockey Coordinator, (847) 692-8596