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Honor Our Veterans with the Hockey Community

By Minnesota Hockey, 11/05/13, 12:30PM CST

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On Sunday, Nov. 10th at 5:30 pm, Richfield Ice Arena will host a special Veteran’s Weekend Hockey Game, in honor of those that have served in the armed forces. The Minnesota NHL Alumni Association will join the Minnesota Warriors in a split squad exhibition match.

The evening will feature popular NHL Alumni such as Tom Chorske, Shjon Podein, Wes Walz and many more split onto teams with real American heroes that play for the veteran-based Minnesota Warriors. In addition, there will be autograph sessions and a silent auction, with all of the night’s proceeds going to help fund the expenses of the Minnesota Warriors Ice Hockey Program.

“I think it’s great that they care enough to do this fundraiser with us,” said Al Lindgren, current President of the Minnesota Warriors. “For our guys, it’s a blast. It’s kind of a lifetime experience playing with guys you watched and idolized growing up.”

While the Warriors are sure to be excited about taking the ice with the NHL Alumni, the event will be about much more than a hockey game.

“It’s about carrying the torch,” said Lindgren. “Remembering all of the people that served before us. Keeping people conscious of what that day is about. It’s not just another holiday. It’s there for a reason.”

It’s safe to say Lindgren isn’t the only member of the Warriors with that feeling.

Veteran’s Day has stood for nearly 100 years as a celebration dedicated to honoring America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good. It continues to serve as a reminder to all citizens that the rights and privileges we have today were won for us by the men and women that have served in our armed forces.

The  NHL Alumni are no strangers to that concept, as this will be the third year in a row they have come together with the Warriors to celebrate Veteran’s Day.  The events have not only brought additional awareness to Veteran’s Day but to the Warriors as well, helping them reach out to more veterans each year.

“Some of the early practices in late 2010 to early 2011 there were seven guys on the ice,” said Lindgren. “Now, we actually have two teams. We seem to be adding a lot of new players, and most of that is word-of-mouth.”

In total, the Minnesota Warriors have had over 70 veterans participate in the program, and each of them have realized a variety of benefits in their daily life from the ability to play hockey with other veterans.

“When they participate and they feel some success on the ice, it translates into success off the ice because they just have more confidence,” said Lindgren. “For others, it’s a good way to deal with a lot of the symptoms that go along with PTSD [Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder]. A lot of guys with PTSD they tend to withdraw and isolate, and hockey will draw them out.”

Civilians and veterans alike are encouraged to join the Warriors and the Minnesota NHL Alumni this Sunday as they celebrate, honor and support our country’s vets through a game we love.

For more information on the Veteran’s Weekend Hockey Game or the Minnesota Warriors, visit www.mnwarriors.com. Tickets can be purchased here. Veterans will be permitted free of charge with military ID, and youth hockey players wearing their association’s jerseys will be allowed in at no cost as well.

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