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By Bryan Zollman
Let’s Play Hockey

If you are playing hockey all over the world, you may come across fans mooning referees, guys getting 12 teeth knocked out at once or coming within six feet of a deadly cobra during dryland training.

Ryan Bahl has experienced all of this, and much more. Bahl has played hockey on six continents, truly an astounding feat that he thought would impress the Guinness Book of World Records. But when he called they said they would only be interested if he played on EVERY continent.

Accepting the challenge, Bahl is now organizing a team to travel to Antarctica. And he has commitments from over 500 players from 20 different countries.

“All these people have signed up to play in Antarctica and work together to make something truly amazing happen,” said Bahl. 

Bahl imagines taking people from several different countries where the common language is hockey.

“They may not be able to communicate with each other, but everyone will have the same love for the sport,” he said.

Bahl grew up in California, but most of his family is from Minnesota. He grew up during the Gretzky era, when the Great One was traded form the Edmonton Oilers to the Los Angeles Kings. Bahl grew up playing against the likes of Jonathan Blum (Wild), Alec Martinez (Kings), C.J. Ruhwedel (Penguins) and Thatcher Demko (Canucks). He played AAA and junior hockey and at the age of 18 traveled to Europe. That trip changed his path in life.

“I instantly became intrigued with traveling,” he said. “Soon after, I was on my way to Hong Kong for my first overseas season. Then I was off to many, many places.”

Those places have included New Zealand, Czech Republic, Australia, Sweden, Norway, South Africa, Spain, Chile, Argentina, Turkey, Serbia, Ireland, the United Kingdom, and, of course, Canada.

He typically spends anywhere from three to six months on each trip, which allows him to gain a better understanding of the culture. 

“It allows me to understand how people are in these different countries and their hockey-playing styles,” he said.

Each experience has been unique. And the best part is, he isn’t alone in his travels. He married his wife, Michaela, in 2013 and she not only loves to travel, but also plays hockey.

“It’s quickly turned into our adventure,” said Bahl. “She’s usually right along side me traveling and playing. She’s quite the hockey player.”

The pair has been all over the world together.

“We always try to spend a full hockey season overseas when we play,” said Ryan. “We typically spend anywhere from 2-6 months in any country we go and it really just depends on how it works out with the clubs and teams we play for.”

In terms of beauty, Ireland was his favorite. In terms of good hockey, Sweden and Czech Republic were at the top. For countries whose cultures were vastly different, Turkey and South Africa. 

He isn’t sure what Antarctica will have in store, but knows one day he and others will lace them up and skate there. And his mission goes far beyond the sport of hockey.

“The second main thing the event is trying to promote is just general awareness of fragile environments like that of Antarctica,” he said. “Conservation, scientific research and protecting these fragile environments is very important and extends much beyond just playing a sport. Hockey in its most traditional form was played outdoors and if we want this to continue for future generations, we must protect our world and everything it has to offer.”

The event aims to help raise funds and donate to organizations aimed at making this happen, specifically in the Antarctic region. The event itself will also be as organic as possible, using materials that can be easily taken back, such as water reclamation systems and making sure there is no footprint of the event in the Antarctica environment. 

The main goal is to prove that hockey can be played anytime, anywhere.

“We want to show people that you can play hockey literally anywhere in the world, Antarctica included,” he said. “The point of this is to get out of the every day norm, experience new cultures, meet new people and just play our amazing sport all over the world. Too many people get stuck in the daily grind and never really experience all the world has to offer.”

Bahl is still looking for players and supporters. Those interested can visit their Facebook page or go to www.antarctichockey.com.