One of the great and unique things about Minneapolis Storm hockey is that we have developed relationships over the last 20 years that provide for fantastic cultural exchange opportunities for our kids. Parents and players that have taken advantage of these opportunities have had lifetime experiences that they will never forget. Current and former Storm players have gotten to play and interact with Swedish, Russian, Finnish, & Norwegian players and teams....

....and now we can add China!

The Chinese National Bandy team was in town for the 2016 Womens Bandy World Championships. The team was made up of ice hockey players (some former Olympians) from Minneapolis' sister city, Harbin, China. They were staying an extra day and parents of former Minneapolis Storm players agreed to host their day - providing them a tour of Holy Angels Academy, a stop by the Bauer Own the Moment store, a whirlwind shopping trip to the Mall of America....capped off with a hockey game at Ridder Arena and a cultural exchange dinner following - parents and players were amazing hosts and the Chinese delegation was very appreciative.

The friendly hockey game was a 4-2 win for the Minneapolis Storm squad. Following the game there was a jersey exchange and an authentic Chinese dinner at the Prachna Piazza next to the Aster Cafe in Minneapolis. The team included former Minneapolis Storm players: 

Minneapolis High School: Jane Carlson, Siri Hanson, Ellie McKinney & Lilah Schultz

Blake School: KK Haug, and Lucy Kiernat

Academy of Holy Angels: Finn Larson, Annika Duryea, Mary Kate Eiden, Sophie Radam, Lauren Erazmus, and Madysen Palmer

Benilde St. Margarets: Ingrid Lundberg

At the dinner, the Chinese delegation thanked Minneapolis and invited our teams to come visit our sister city of Harbin in the fall of 2017 to continue this hockey exchange. Watch for more information in 2017!