Minnesota Special Hockey, Minnesota Sled Hockey and the Minnesota Warriors took center stage at Xcel Energy Center on Saturday, October 8 as the Minnesota Wild hosted Disabled Hockey Night during their final preseason game. Disabled Hockey Night, which is held annually in partnership with Prairie Island Indian Community, is intended to highlight how the sport is for everybody in the State of Hockey.

Peyton Gunnarson of the Rochester Mustangs Sled Hockey team kicked off the festivities by planting the State of Hockey flag at center ice as the Minnesota Wild took the ice for their final preseason game against the Winnipeg Jets. Then, US Navy SEAL Senior Chief and Minnesota Warrior member Eric Lundquist was honored as the on-ice service member during the national anthem. Two more Minnesota Warriors, USMC veteran David Haagensen and active US Army Reserves Sergeant Blair Warner, led their hometown crown in the “Let’s Play Hockey” chant to wrap up the pre-game festivities.

During the first intermission, Minnesota Special Hockey took the ice at Xcel Energy Center. Minnesota Special Hockey, which celebrating is 10th anniversary, used a GoPro and Periscope to showcase their experience. Minnesota Wild Sled Hockey and Rochester Mustangs also had a chance to play on the Xcel Energy Center ice during the second intermission.

Minnesota Disabled Hockey would like to thank the Minnesota Wild and Prairie Island Indian Community for their support of Disabled Hockey Night!  

Minnesota Disabled Hockey programs are supported by USA Hockey across the nation and locally by Minnesota Hockey, proving that hockey is for everyBody. These programs are divided into five "disciplines." Standing/Amputee, Deaf/Hard of Hearing, Sled, Special and Warriors Hockey, putting our injured vets on the ice when they return home.  Together, Minnesota's disabled hockey programs make up the largest group of disabled players in the nation!