Two years ago, a group of 5, both military and non-military, sat in Tom Reid’s Hockey Pub discussing the possibility of starting the second all injured military veterans hockey team in the country, and the first here in Minnesota.  Fast forward to present day and you would be a witness to a group of soldiers who after putting their lives on the line, are now enjoying the game as well as a common bond of camaraderie that is helping them to recover, physically, mentally and emotionally. 
 
This past month has been very active for our Minnesota Warriors. While their numbers continue to soar, they are playing some of the most fun and competitive hockey short of our own high school tournaments.
 
Through tremendous support and an outpouring of love from the Roseville Area Youth Athletic Association the Minnesota Warriors were able to host the USA Warriors (the first program initiated out of Walter Reed Hospital in Maryland) in the first ever Minnesota Warriors Outdoor Classic.
 
Last June during a conversation at the Roseville Rose Parade the idea of having the Warriors play during  RAYHA's annual fundraiser, the Icebreaker, was born. It was through a lot of dedication, volunteerism and community support that the event happened. The USA Warriors were able to fly out through the Fisher House onto the Oval Rink and join the Minnesota Warriors on the ice. RAYHA assured the players were transported about in style.
 
Facing temps of 16 degrees and high winds the National Anthem was sang by Matthew Griswold who is a veteran as well. The puck was dropped by Minnesota Congressman Tim Walz. It was a hard played game by the sister teams with Minnesota winning 3-1 over the USA Warriors. Both Warriors teams were very proud to not only represent Disabled Hockey, but all of our veterans during Hockey Day Minnesota.
 
As a fully funded program for our veteran’s, they rely heavily on donations as well as grants and various fundraising.  That is why they are please to announce their new partnership with the Amputee Coalition of America.  With a $20,000 grant through the U.S. Olympic Committee and Veterans Affairs, the Minnesota Warriors can continue to grow their program and reach out to other veterans across the state. 
 
“The Minnesota Warriors Ice Hockey Board is excited to work alongside the outstanding professionals at the Amputee Coalition, who have done so much to enhance the lives of our disabled veterans,” said Heidi Y. Pierson, president, Minnesota Warriors Ice Hockey. “It is the intent of the Warriors program to focus on building connections through the Amputee Coalition that will lead to a dynamic and dramatic growth of the team and to expand to other rural regions of Minnesota.”
 
Not ones to rest easy, the Minnesota Warriors can next be seen on Saturday, February 4th at Como Hockey Day.  This event will take place, with assistance from the Hendrickson Foundation and the St. Paul Blades, at the North Dale Recreation Center. The Warriors will take on the St. Paul Bombers beginning at 4pm, with games and activities occurring throughout the day. With each game, each puck and each new player, Minnesota Disabled Hockey is helping to bring our veteran’s “all the way back home”.
 
For further information on the Warriors as well as all of our Minnesota Disabled Hockey programs, please visit our website at www.minnesotahockey.org, or contact Toni O’Brien at tobrien@minnesotahockey.org.