View source for Bandy in the United States

{{short description|none}}
{{Update|date=March 2023}}
{{Infobox sport governing body
|name               = USA Bandy
|abbrev             =
|logo               = American_Bandy_Association_logo.png
|logosize           =
|sport              = [[Bandy]]
|category           =
|image              =
|caption            = The logo of USA Bandy<br />''ABA = American Bandy Association''
|jurisdiction       =
|membership         =
|founded            = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1981}}
|aff                =
|affdate            =
|region             =
|regionyear         =
|headquarters       =
|location           = Minnesota
|president          = ABA: [[Andrew Knutson]]
|chairman           =
|chairperson        =
|chiefexec          =
|vicepresident      = ABA: Chris Middlebrook
|director           =
|secretary          =
|coach              =
|womenscoach        =
|key staff          =
|operating income   =
|sponsor            =
|year closed        =
|replaced           =
|prevfounded        = American Bandy Association
|url                = usabandy.com
|countryflag        = USA
|countryflagvar     =
|countryflag2       =
|countryflagvar2    =
|countryflag3       =
|countryflagvar3    =
|more               = Recognized as a non-profit corporation in 1983
}}
'''Bandy in the United States'''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.usabandy.com/page/show/604524-american-bandy-association|title=American Bandy Association|publisher=American Bandy Association|accessdate=19 March 2014}}</ref> is played mostly in [[Minnesota]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/29/sports/olympics/29bandy.html|title=It's Not Hockey, It's Bandy|newspaper=The New York Times|date=29 January 2010|last1=Klein|first1=Jeff Z.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsengine.com/article/bandy/bandys-growth-put-ice |title=Bandy's growth is put on ice|website=sportsengine.com |author=Sam Wigness |date=27 June 2016 |access-date=17 March 2023|publisher=Sports Engine|language=en}}</ref> [[United States national bandy team|The national team]] regularly plays in Division A of the [[Bandy World Championships]]. In terms of licensed athletes, it is the second biggest winter sport in the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worldbandy.com/newspost_7640.html|title=Bandy destined for the Olympic Winter Games!|website=Worldbandy.com|access-date=October 4, 2017|archive-date=October 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181017132109/http://www.worldbandy.com/newspost_7640.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Bandy]] is a team sport played on [[ice]] with ice skates, a ball, and a curved stick on a large sheet of ice called a [[bandy field]]. In the United States, the national governing body for bandy is the [[American Bandy Association]] (ABA), also called '''[[USA Bandy]]''' which was established in 1981, the same year it became a member of the [[Federation of International Bandy]] (FIB). The USA Bandy Hall of Fame is located in Minnesota.
The [[#League play|American Bandy League]] is played in Minnesota. It is the country's elite-tier of bandy played in the country with the league split into two divisions: Division I and Division II. The winner of the [[US Premier League]] wins the [[Gunnar Cup]]. The [[#League play|USA Rink Bandy League]] organizes the bandy variation known as [[rink bandy]]. The tournament for rink bandy in the US is the [[North American Cup]].
In international competition, the country has both a men's and a women's national bandy squad: the [[United States men's national bandy team]], and the [[United States women's national bandy team]]. The men's United States national bandy team has taken part in the [[Bandy World Championship]]s since [[1985 Bandy World Championship|the 1985 tournament]]. The [[1995 Bandy World Championship]] was played at [[Guidant John Rose Minnesota Oval]]. The United States national men's squad also plays friendlies against [[Canada national bandy team|Canada]] in the [[Can-Am Bandy Cup]].
The United States women's national bandy team has participated in every one of the [[Women's Bandy World Championship]]s. The [[2006 Women's Bandy World Championship|2006]] and the [[2016 Women's Bandy World Championship|2016]] women's world tournaments were played in Minnesota.
==History==
In the late 19th century there was a game very similar to bandy called [[ice polo]] played in the United States.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hockeygods.com/hockeys/44-Ice_Polo |title=Ice Polo {{!}} Hockey Gods |website=hockeygods.com|access-date=17 March 2023|publisher=Hockey Gods |language=en}}</ref> The first bandy game in the USA was played in December 1979 at the [[Lewis Park Bandy Rink]] in [[Edina, Minnesota]]. It was a friendly game between the [[Sweden national bandy team|Sweden men's national junior bandy team]] and Swedish club team [[Broberg/Söderhamn Bandy|Brobergs IF]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usabandy.com/page/show/6273994-american-bandy-association|title=USA Bandy MIlestones|publisher=American Bandy Association|language=English|accessdate=13 August 2021}}</ref>
==Governing body==
[[File:American_Bandy_Association_logo.png|thumb|left|150px|The logo of USA Bandy]]
[[File:Bandy Camp 2013 DSC0992 (9471012466).jpg|thumb|right|200px|August 2013 summer youth bandy camp in Minnesota.]]
The American Bandy Association (ABA), also called USA Bandy, is the governing body of [[bandy]] in the [[United States]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/usabandy|title=USA Bandy|publisher=American Bandy Association at Facebook|access-date=14 May 2014}}</ref> The association was established and became a member of the [[Federation of International Bandy]] in 1981, and was recognized as a non-profit corporation in 1983.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nonprofitfacts.com/MN/American-Bandy-Association.html|title=American Bandy Association in Savage, Minnesota (MN)|publisher=nonprofitfacts.com – Tax-Exempt Organizations|access-date=4 May 2014}}</ref> It is headquartered in [[Savage, Minnesota]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worldbandy.com/members.asp?pageID=11 |title=Members |publisher=[[Federation of International Bandy]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016213857/http://www.worldbandy.com/members.asp?pageID=11 |archive-date=2013-10-16 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chamberofcommerce.com/savage-mn/38373392-american-bandy-association|title=American Bandy Association|publisher=Chamber of Commerce|access-date=4 May 2014}}</ref> The president of ABA is Chris Middlebrook, who is also a lawyer by profession.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.middlebrooklaw.com/about-us/|title=About us|publisher=Middlebrook Law|access-date=4 May 2014|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140504014152/http://www.middlebrooklaw.com/about-us/|archive-date=4 May 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>
ABA runs the [[American Bandy League]].
The ABA also arranges an international summer camp for children every year.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.letsplayhockey.com/online-edition/news/1396-team-usa-wins-bandy-world-championship.html| title= Team USA wins bandy world championship| publisher= Let's Play Hockey| access-date= 7 May 2014| date= 31 January 2013| archive-date= 8 May 2014| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140508024832/http://www.letsplayhockey.com/online-edition/news/1396-team-usa-wins-bandy-world-championship.html| url-status= dead}}</ref> All ABA league games are played at the [[Guidant John Rose Minnesota Oval]] in [[Roseville, Minnesota]].
== International competition ==
[[File:Norges damelandslag i bandy 2006.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Team Norway celebrating winning the bronze at the [[2006 Women's Bandy World Championship|2006 Women's Worlds]] in Minnesota]]
The United States is home to the [[United States men's national bandy team]] and the [[United States women's national bandy team]]. The men compete regularly in the [[Bandy World Championships]] while the women compete in the [[Women's Bandy World Championship]].
==League play==
{{See also|List of United States bandy champions}}
The American Bandy League is the top-tier of bandy played in the United States. The league is split into two divisions, with 6 teams in Division I and 4 in Division II.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://user.sportngin.com/users/sign_in?user_return_to=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.usabandy.com%2Fpage%2Fshow%2F615106-division-i-2012-2013-|title=SportsEngine &#124; Sign In Step 1|website=user.sportngin.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://user.sportngin.com/users/sign_in?user_return_to=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.usabandy.com%2Fpage%2Fshow%2F615132-division-ii-2012-2013-|title=SportsEngine &#124; Sign In Step 1|website=user.sportngin.com}}</ref> All ABA league games are played at the [[Guidant John Rose Minnesota Oval]] in [[Roseville, Minnesota]]. The variant [[rink bandy]] is also played, organised as the [[USA Rink Bandy League]]. As of 2017, the latest champion is [[Tonka Bay, Minnesota|Tonka Bay]] Bombers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://user.sportngin.com/users/sign_in?user_return_to=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.usabandy.com%2Fpage%2Fshow%2F3407395-rink-bandy-2017-|title=SportsEngine &#124; Sign In Step 1|website=user.sportngin.com}}</ref>
==Team highlights==
{{Update section|date=March 2023}}
===Dynamo Duluth===
''(Division I)''
Dynamo ([[Duluth, Minnesota]]) was founded in 2006.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bandysidan.nu/ibdb/teaminfo.php?sprak=eng&land=3&LagID=519 |title=Dynamo Duluth |website=bandysidan.nu |date=2006|access-date=17 March 2023|publisher=Bandysidan|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070706125917/http://www.bandysidan.nu/ibdb/teaminfo.php?sprak=eng&land=3&LagID=519  |archive-date=6 July 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref>
In 2012, Dynamo Duluth finished second in the league<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://usabandy.com/home.php?pg=news&newsId=113|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120729174824/http://usabandy.com/home.php?pg=news&newsId=113|url-status=dead|title=USA BANDY CHAMPIONSHIPS IN THE BOOKS|archivedate=29 July 2012}}</ref>
and in 2013 they became national champions for the first time.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://user.sportngin.com/users/sign_in?user_return_to=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.usabandy.com%2Fpage%2Fshow%2F615106-division+i+%282012-2013%29%3Fsubseason%3D83598|title=SportsEngine &#124; Sign In Step 1|website=user.sportngin.com}}</ref> In 2009 they won the [[North American Cup]], which is the tournament for rink bandy in the US.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://usabandy.com/home.php?p=news&newsId=67|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20120720210424/http://usabandy.com/home.php?p=news&newsId=67|url-status=dead|title=NORTH AMERICAN CUP BACK IN DULUTH|archivedate=20 July 2012}}</ref>
Many of the best players for the team joined the [[United States men's national bandy team]],<ref name="auto1">{{cite web|url=http://www.bandyworld.se/vm-3/vm-2014/usas-vm-trupp-2014|title=USA:s VM-trupp 2014|publisher=Bandyworld|language=sv|access-date=18 April 2014}}</ref> among them, former ice hockey pro [[Robb Stauber]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/29/sports/olympics/29bandy.html?pagewanted=2|title=It's Not Hockey, It's Bandy |last=Klein|first=Jeff Z. |date=2010-01-28|work=The New York Times|access-date=2010-03-30}}</ref>
===Flying Sparrows===
''(Division I)''
Initially known as the [[Dinkytown]] Dukes,<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.usabandy.com/news_article/show/1090495|title = Bandolier vs Sparrows in the 40th US Bandy Championship|date = 26 February 2020}}</ref> the Sparrows were formed in the 2014-2015 season by General Managers Jon Keseley, John Arundel, and Scott Arundel. In their first season, the Dukes went undefeated in the regular season and claimed their first [[Gunnar Cup]] as [[Division I (US bandy)|US Premier League]] champions by winning the series 2 games to 1 over Mississippi Mojo. Jon Keseley was named the season MVP, while Mikael Lickteig received playoff MVP honors, backstopped by the goaltending of Erik "The Red Baron" Kraska. The Dukes claimed their second championship in 2017. Under their new name, the team is competing against Minneapolis Bandolier for the 40th US Bandy Championship.<ref name="auto"/>
===Minneapolis Bandolier===
''(Division I)''
Bandolier ([[Minneapolis, Minnesota]]) was founded in 1980.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bandysidan.nu/ibdb/teaminfo.php?LagID=91&sprak=eng&land=18|title=Minneapolis Bandolier|publisher=Bandysidan|access-date=9 April 2014}}</ref> It has won the [[List of United States bandy champions|United States Championship]] ten times (1981, 1982, 1983, 2001, 2002, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2012, and 2014), more than any other club.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.usabandy.com/page/show/604524-american-bandy-association|title=American Bandy Association|publisher=American Bandy Association|access-date=19 March 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.usabandy.com/news_article/show/356699?referrer_id=595067-news|title=Minneapolis Bandolier Captures 2014 USA Bandy Championship|publisher=American Bandy Association|date=5 March 2014|access-date=18 March 2014}}</ref> Many of the club's players also play in the [[United States national bandy team]].<ref>The US roster for the [[2014 Bandy World Championship]]: {{cite web|url=http://www.baikal-bandy.ru/p/teams/usa?lang=en|title=USA|publisher=Baikal Bandy|access-date=19 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140320011803/http://www.baikal-bandy.ru/p/teams/usa?lang=en|archive-date=20 March 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="auto1"/>
===Minnesota Blades===
''(Division I)''
The Blades were formed at the beginning of the 2002–2003 bandy season as the successor club to the Stabaek (MN) Bandy Club, which, after enjoying success in the 1980s and 1990s, fell on hard times. After Stabaek finished last in the Premier League table in 2001–2002, the Blades were founded and led by Steve Nelson of Edina, MN (see notable players below) and finished their inaugural season in third place, before losing in the league playoff semifinals to the Amur Tigers.
The Blades have won four [[Division I (US bandy)|US Premier League]] titles, taking the [[Gunnar Cup]] in 2004, 2005, 2008, and 2011. In 2005, the Gunnar Cup, which is traditionally awarded to the playoff champions, was awarded to the Blades by virtue of their first-place regular-season finish, as inclement weather in Minnesota caused the cancellation of that year's post-season tournament. In the 2005–2006 season, the Blades finished 4th in the regular season, and were eliminated from the league playoffs by expansion side OBS.
In both 2005 and 2006, the Blades were the runners-up in the [[North American Cup]] competition. The Blades are captained by Steve "Jazz Hands" Nelson; he earned the nickname due to his indelible stick-handling prowess in the 2006 Federation Cup.
===Mississippi Mojo===
''(Division I)''
The Mississippi Mojo (named for the [[Mississippi River]], not the [[Mississippi|state]]) was the runner-up for the Gunnar Cup in 2013, 2015, and 2017.
===TC Ice Tigers===
''(Division I)''
===Team USA===
''(Division I)''
===East Isles===
''(Division II)''
===Elsies Bandy===
''(Division II)''
===Tsunami ICE===
''(Division II)''
===USA Women===
''(Division II)''
==References==
{{reflist|30em}}
==External links==
* [http://www.usabandy.com/ American Bandy Association official website]
* [http://www.bandysidan.nu/ibdb/serie.php?LigaID=214&LagID=404&sprak=eng&land=18 Bandysidan]
{{Commons category|Bandy in the United States}}
[[Category:Bandy in the United States| ]]
[[Category:Sports in Minneapolis–Saint Paul]]
[[Category:Roseville, Minnesota]]