Owen Lindmark, Jack Horbach and Jack Phelan

Field of Dreams: Illinois natives fulfill childhood hockey fantasies at Wrigley Field

Lindmark, Horbach, Phelan excited for ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ opportunity at Frozen Confines

By Kali Mick

There is nothing better than an outdoor hockey game.

The freshly zambonied ice twinkles under the stadium lights as cold winter air turns cheeks red. The wind blows through the pom poms of the players’ freshly knitted toques as they hit the rink for an unforgettable game. The sounds of sticks clashing and skates scraping the ice echo across the open air, mixing with the cheers of bundled-up fans. It’s hockey in its purest form as dreams come alive under an endless sky.

For Owen Lindmark, Jack Horbach and Jack Phelan – the three Illinois natives on the Wisconsin men’s hockey team – getting to play in the Frozen Confines: Big Ten Hockey Series on Jan. 4 at Wrigley Field is more than just an outdoor hockey game. It’s a childhood fantasy turned reality, skating at one of the most historic venues in the country in front of all their friends and family – a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. 

A young Owen Lindmark at a Cubs game
Owen Lindmark and his family are a life-long Cubs fans.

The experience will be extra special for die-hard Cubs fan and Naperville native Lindmark, who is 10-0-0 when attending baseball games at Wrigley.

“I’ve always loved them,” said the graduate student forward on his relationship with his hometown baseball team. “I follow them every game. I watched them win the World Series on TV in 2016, and I still try to watch as many of their games as I can. I think I’ve been to about 10 Cubs games at Wrigley and they’re undefeated. So, really good track record there, and I’m hoping it stays that way.”

Lindmark found out that he was going to be playing in his home state over the summer, and he was “stoked” to pass the news along to his family and friends.

“They’re all super excited,” he said. “I come from a family of die-hard Cubs fans, and growing up in Naperville, pretty much everyone there roots for the team. Being able to play in front of them at Wrigley Field is going to be awesome.”

Fellow Naperville native Horbach will also have plenty of family and friends in attendance. “They’re all pumped,” said Horbach on having his own cheering section. “Hopefully me, Owen and Jack’s crowds can fill up the stadium.”

An influential figure of Horbach’s will also be in attendance: his grandma, who recently moved back to Illinois from Florida. The junior forward credits his grandma with his love for Chicago as she took him to explore all the city has to offer while he was growing up.

Jack Horbach attends Chicago sports events
Jack Horbach and his family with the Stanley Cup

“My grandma brought my sister and I to the Shedd Aquarium a lot,” he said. “She took us to Navy Pier, the Bean and the beaches off Lake Michigan, too. It was amazing, I just loved going down there. I also grew up a big Blackhawks fan, and I'll never forget attending their Stanley Cup parade in 2010 – it was literally just a sea of red.”

Horbach’s childhood also consisted of being a big fan of a Chicago baseball team – the White Sox, that is. Despite his allegiance to the Sox, the forward is still thrilled to skate at such a storied venue. 

“It’s really cool,” he said. “Wrigley Field is one of the oldest stadiums, and it’s special to be able to play there with the atmosphere they have with all of Wrigleyville. It’s going to be a blast to have a bunch of friends and family there to support us. Hopefully, we can pull out a win for them.”

Fellow White Sox fan and freshman defenseman Jack Phelan is also willing to overlook his baseball fandom for the chance to play at the iconic venue. Growing up in Hinsdale, he’s attended countless games at Wrigley as a fan, but now he has the unique chance to revisit the stadium as a player.

“I love the ivy on the walls and all the history there,” said Phelan on Wrigley Field. “My best memory there is when I got to watch the Sox beat the Cubs. It’s really fun watching games at Wrigley, and I can’t believe I now get to play in one there too.”

For Phelan, the chance to represent Wisconsin hockey in such a special setting is a dream come true. Playing in an outdoor game is already a rare and intriguing experience for any college hockey player, but doing so in front of all your loved ones makes the event extra memorable.

“Getting to play in an outdoor game in college is once in a lifetime,” he said. “You feel extra excited since it’s near your hometown. There’s no DI college team in Chicago, so the city will get a taste of NCAA hockey. I’m super lucky and delighted to have this opportunity.”

A young Jack Phelan in a Chicago Blackhawks jersey
Jack Phelan is excited to play in such a special game in his home state.

Such an unforgettable game doesn’t come without its challenges, though. Outdoor games bring along obstacles such as unpredictable weather and below-freezing temperatures, which can affect the game in big ways. However, the team is ready for whatever curveball the Midwest winter throws at them.

“The weather is uncontrollable,” Lindmark said. “We have to stick to being simple because the ice probably won’t be great. We’ll just stay simple and work hard.”

The team has been doing their job, getting prepared on and off the ice, and they’re counting on the fans to do theirs: be loud and bring the same energy they have at the Kohl Center to Wrigley. 

“How electric the Kohl Center is has prepared us for a lot of things,” Horbach said. “Playing at the Kohl prepares you because the atmosphere we have here is bigger than some NHL rinks, and it’ll translate well to a baseball stadium. Coach does a really good job making sure we’re grounded throughout this whole process, so we’re just excited to get out there and play.”

It’s something that you’re definitely not going to take for granted. It’s going to be a really special moment that I’m going to remember for the rest of my life.
Owen Lindmark

The junior's focus on preparation and staying grounded is echoed by his teammates, who understand the magnitude of playing in such a unique setting. “You have to go into it the same way you treat every game,” Phelan said. “Obviously, it’s a little elevated, but you’ve got to stay level-headed.”

While the team remains focused on the game, they also recognize how monumental the experience will be, and they’ll soak up every moment of their time at Wrigley.

“It’s something that you’re definitely not going to take for granted,” Lindmark said. “It’s going to be a really special moment that I’m going to remember for the rest of my life.”

The Badger men’s hockey team takes on the Michigan State Spartans in the Frozen Confines: Big Ten Hockey Series on Saturday, Jan. 4., at 8 p.m. Fans can buy tickets here.