This is where we highlight the Friendship-Leaguers who make our adventures so special. What unites these people isn’t their background or skill level, it’s their passion for adventure, making friends and spreading goodwill. Want to be a Hall of Famer? It’s never too late, just hop aboard the Friendship League train and start adventuring!
Welcome to the Friendship League Hall of Fame!
The Famers (by order of induction)
Alex Frecon
Nationality: USA!!
Friendship League Experiences: Pyongyang Ice Hockey Experience 2017, Costa Rica Flag Football Experience 2017, Turkmenistan Ice Hockey Experience 2018, Kenya Ice Hockey Experience 2019
Favorite Sport or Passion: Hockey
Hometown Club: Minneapolis Spartans
Favorite Friendship League Memory: My favorite FL memory is probably playing pickup soccer with Scott and the youth girls Korean soccer team in Pyongyang.
Favorite Destination: This is tough as all of the places are awesome for their own reasons, but I have to go with North Korea. It was my first trip with Friendship League and just a truly profound experience. Once in a lifetime.
Advice for Prospects: These trips are truly one of a kind. The bonds created last far beyond the trip itself. I still have contact with players from Turkmenistan 2 years later. If you have an open mind and a sense of adventure, there is no better way to see the world than with Friendship League.
Henri Haarakangas
Nationality: Finland
Friendship League Experiences: Pyongyang Ice Hockey Experience 2017, Costa Rica Flag Football Experience 2017, Turkmenistan Ice Hockey Experience 2018, Kenya Ice Hockey Experience 2019
Favorite Sport or Passion: Hockey
Hometown Club: Inactive
Favorite Friendship League Memory: Dressing up with the DPRK’s national team for a hockey game and socializing with them during the breaks. There was a complete silence when me and few friends entered the locker room, but somehow one period of hockey removed the tension and we started joking and talking about our lives in our countries.
Favorite Destination: Turkmenistan. Turkmenistan is a country which nobody knows much about. Turkmenistan was a surreal place with interesting culture, friendly people, beautiful architecture and nature.
Advice for Prospects: The Friendship League offers a safe way to explore extreme places.
Chris Colucci
Nationality: American (Honorary Canadian and passable Japanese)
Friendship League Experiences: Pyongyang Ice Hockey Experience 2016, Turkmenistan Ice Hockey Experience 2018, Kenya Ice Hockey Experience 2019, Ecuador Ice Hockey Experience 2022
Favorite Sport or Passion: Hockey
Hometown Club: The Tokyo Canadians
Favorite Friendship League Memory: Listening to the American, Canadian, and Kenyan national anthems before the final game of the inaugural Kenya tournament. Every goal was celebrated by the passionate Kenyan fans in a way that would rival any NHL fan base.
Favorite Destination: Turkmenistan is unknown to most people and even for those who can point it out on a map, any other details are still a mystery. Camping around the Darvaza crater felt like being on a different planet.
Advice for Prospects: If you are on this website and have come so far as to be reading the Hall of Fame page, then don’t think twice about joining a trip. Come and have the time of your life.
William Sibold
Nationality: Canada
Friendship League Experiences: Pyongyang Ice Hockey Experience 2018, Turkmenistan Ice Hockey Experience 2018, Kenya Ice Hockey Experience 2019
Favorite Sport or Passion: Hockey
Hometown Club: Rankin Inlet, NU
Favorite Friendship League Memory: My favorite Friendship League memory was camping at the Darvaza Gas Crater in Turkmenistan.
Favorite Destination: Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
Advice for Prospects: Just jump in and do it…embrace the fear!
Mark Davis
Nationality: USA
Friendship League Experiences: Pyongyang Ice Hockey Experience 2017, Turkmenistan Ice Hockey Experience 2018, Kenya Ice Hockey Experience 2019
Favorite Sport or Passion: Hockey of course, followed by golf
Hometown Club: Spokane Oldtimers Hockey Club (established 1974)
Favorite Friendship League Memory: Meeting the people! From the rink manager in Turkmenistan who took me to his living quarters for tea, the 26 year old goalies in North Korea who wouldn’t believe I was 70. Getting to reaffirm my belief that people all over the world, no matter their government, are basically the same, and most are good people. The hot air balloon ride over the savanna in Kenya was great too!
Favorite Destination: They are all great in their own way and with their different experiences. I would have to pick Kenya as my favorite. More nature, more freedom and the happy people. Who can forget the square ice rink!
Advice for Prospects: Be willing to be adventurous, try new things and new foods. Be willing to accept a little discomfort as part of the adventure. I was very pleased on my trips not to encounter any “ugly Canadians/Americans/etc” as part of our groups. Be ready to savor the experience and the learning. Expect to meet a great group of hockey players from around the world as part of your trip.
Many thanks to Scott and the Friendship League for providing these great experiences. It’s amazing where being part of the hockey community will get you!
Dan Howe
Nationality: Canadian
Friendship League Experiences: Pyongyang Ice Hockey Experience 2017, Pyongyang Ice Hockey Experience 2019, Egypt Ice Hockey Experience 2021, Ecuador Ice Hockey Experience 2022
Favorite Sport or Passion: Football
Hometown Club: BC Lions
Favorite Friendship League Memory: We had an opportunity to interact and work with young children with intellectual disabilities in Pyongyang. It was phenomenal to see their love of sport and how exited they were to try things and learn new skills.
Favorite Destination: Our first trip to North Korea was fascinating. You read and hear so much about the country that when you get to experience it, you have the opportunity to develop your own perspectives.
Advice for Prospects: Sport has a way of transcending cultures, building understanding, and creating new bonds and friendships. It is important to make the most of every trip by participating fully in the activities, and going into each setting with an open, inquisitive mind. You won’t be disappointed.
Brendan Gutenschwager
Nationality: USA
Friendship League Experiences: Turkmenistan Ice Hockey Experience 2018, Kenya Ice Hockey Experience 2019, Egypt Ice Hockey Experience 2021, Ecuador Ice Hockey Experience 2022
Favorite Sport or Passion: Ice Hockey
Hometown Club: Schoolcraft Ocelots
Favorite Friendship League Memory: Hard to choose with so many great moments, but I really loved the Turkmenistan homestay in the mountains.
Favorite Destination: All have been phenomenal, but Turkmenistan stands out in my mind as an incredible and one-of-a-kind experience. Amazing to see in person.
Advice for Prospects: The trips are a perfect blend of sports, adventure, and awesome people. I’ve never seen anything quite like it. For those with an open mind and willingness to meet others, experience different cultures and still have a blast playing, it’s the best. A lot is packed into Friendship League trips and it makes for very fulfilling days, perfect to explore something new. The people are genuine and it’s a great setting for friendships to form that last far beyond the trip.
Struggled to choose favorite FL memory, way too many to choose from! And hoping for many more amazing ones to come.
Joji Hiratsuka
Favorite Sport or Passion: Ice Hockey
Hometown Club: Edmonton Oilers
Favorite Friendship League Memory: The “chant” in Egypt.
Favorite Destination: All of them!
Advice for Prospects: Make the time and come to the trips. Awesome experiences.
