Ben Hendrickson and Mike Lubovich are the epitome of team players, on and off the ice. After their youth and high school hockey days in Minnesota, they joined new teams – Hendrickson with the U.S. Marine Corps followed by the U.S. Air Force, and Lubovich with the U.S. Army Rangers.

Hockey and the military: two very different teams, but with similar values and models.

To honor the approaching Memorial Day weekend, we took a look at the similarities between the boys and girls on the ice, and our country’s most noble men and women.

Teamwork

One goal. One team. Teamwork is an element that’s easily found everywhere on and off the ice. That teamwork comes in especially handy in the military.

“Everyone plays for each other on the ice, and in the military we really take care of each other out there, too,” said Hendrickson, who grew up playing in Bloomington and now serves as an Air Force Reserve Officer.

Without the forwards, defensemen, goalies, coaches and volunteers working together, it’s awfully hard to be successful. Just like there are positions to be played in hockey, military members have their assigned roles and duties, too. Still, without everyone working together, the mission – or game – can fail.

If one person doesn’t pick up their end of the slack and follow through, then the team doesn’t have the opportunity to finish what their goal may be,” said Lubovich, 1st Sergeant with the 55th Civil Support Team (Weapons of Mass Destruction) based in Saint Paul. “Whether that is winning on the ice or accomplishing the mission in the military, you need to do it together as one team.”

Leadership

On the ice, your coach is the No. 1 leader. In the military, it’s your sergeant. But in both, those official leaders teach their team or unit how to become leaders themselves.

“I think the environment of hockey and the military help breed leaders,” said Hendrickson. “A lot of times you learn how to step in to that leadership role, whether it’s taking the lead patrol for your unit or wearing the ‘C’ for your team.”

Dedication

When you sign up for hockey, you make a commitment to the team and to yourself. You prepare to give it your all and dedicate yourself to the game and everyone involved.

“Dedication is huge with hockey,” said Lubovich. “The hours you put in, the travel and the weekends, it’s a lot. Every player, parent and coach makes a dedication to the game.

“In the military we’re also up before sunrise and out after sunset. You give yourself, your family, for the cause. In both hockey and the military that dedication allows ourselves to push the limits. It allows you to make new goals and work to reach those.”

Camaraderie

Hendrickson used hockey as a way to interact with new communities. From Hawaii to Colorado and back to Minnesota, an ice rink was always his greeting tool.

“I didn’t know a whole lot of people when I was stationed in Colorado and I met a whole new group of friends through hockey there,” said Hendrickson. “It’s really neat to have that hockey bond and then the friendships extend off the ice. I still to this day keep in touch with those people, in fact we go to Vegas every year for a hockey tournament.”

There’s a bond that all hockey players and service members share. In both you’ll find friends for life.

Family

At Minnesota Hockey, we’re all one giant family. For Lubovich and Hendrickson, their hockey families and new military families are their support systems. 

“Families come together so strongly in both hockey and the military,” says Lubovich, who helps coach his kids’ youth hockey teams in the Forest Lake Youth Hockey Association. “If you have more than one kid in hockey, sometimes you need to leverage those connections with other families on the team to help you out on traveling weekends and practice. Those times that maybe you can’t be there.

“In the military, there are definitely going to be times you can’t be there. But again, there are networks and families there to help support you. Together, on the ice and off, you help each other out and watch out for one another’s family. It’s an extension of your family.”

So thank you to our hockey and military families for giving your very best. We’re proud to be a part of your family.

Calling all hockey-playing service members: How did hockey prepare you for the military? Tweet us at @MinnHockey using the hashtag #HockeySoldiers.