In December 1980 the Swedish Bandy Federation sent Gunnar Fast to Minnesota. Gunnar was both a Captain in the Swedish Army and a Certified Bandy Instructor. At the time there were only four bandy nations, The Soviet Union, Sweden, Finland and Norway. Gunnar's mission was to make the USA the fifth bandy nation. He was extraordinarily successful. Within one month of arriving in Minnesota Gunnar had converted over 100 hockey players to bandy players and formed a league with seven teams who then competed for the first US bandy championship in February 1981. Gunnar then organized and coached the first US national team, bringing them to Sweden in October 1981. By the 1984-85 season Gunnar had expanded the US league to twenty four teams competing in three divisions. He also continued to bring US teams to Sweden each October where they competed in the World Cup Ljusdal as well as against various Swedish elite teams. Gunnar then led the US National Team as they competed in the World Championships for the first time in Oslo 1985.

 

Gunnar Fast was the architect of US Bandy and a tremendous influence on the first generation of US bandy players. Not surprising, the US Championships, held every year since 1981, is named "The Gunnar Cup" in his honor. In October 2014 he was among the initial inductees into the US Bandy Hall of Fame. There is no doubt that Gunnar, through his immense contribution to US Bandy, also changed the bandy world, beginning the growth of bandy nations to its present number of 27. USA Bandy has received condolences from around the bandy world. Federation of International Bandy President Boris Skrynnik noted the irreparable loss of Gunnar's passing and has officially awarded Gunnar Fast the title of "The Bandy Missionary". 

 

USA Bandy cannot thank you enough Gunnar. We exist because of you. We will miss you. We honor you.