Huntsville’s Inaugural Battle of the Brave Charity Hockey Game Unites Veterans and Raises Funds for Disabled Heroes

Huntsville Hosts Inaugural Battle of the Brave Charity Hockey Game for Veterans

Huntsville recently experienced a heartwarming day filled with passion, camaraderie, and, of course, some thrilling ice hockey! The Battle of the Brave, a first-of-its-kind exhibition game featuring U.S. military veterans, took place last Saturday at the Huntsville Ice Sports Center, and it was quite a sight to behold!

A Game With Heart

The event was not only a showcase of skills on ice but also a way to raise funds for Still Serving Veterans, an organization dedicated to assisting disabled veterans. The man behind this magnificent idea is Army veteran and hockey enthusiast, Steve Dermer. He recognized that while there are many community efforts for veterans, they often do not include veterans themselves in the planning or execution.

“I know there are a lot of veterans that play hockey here. Wouldn’t it be great if the charity event is done by all veterans?” Dermer mused. This spontaneous idea turned into a reality, thanks to the creativity of his son, Patrick, who suggested the catchy name for the event.

Teams and Community Spirit

Two teams faced off on that exhilarating day: Trigger Happy and Unconventional Warfare. From the buzz in the arena, it was clear that this inaugural event is just the beginning. With hopes of expanding to a round-robin tournament in the future, Steve Smith, who co-sponsored the event with his wife, Kim, assured everyone, “We’re going to do it again.”

Smith also shared the sentiment that the event could only grow. “It’s going to get bigger,” he proclaimed, and who could argue? With a hockey community like Huntsville’s, where veterans share a special bond, it’s no wonder everyone came together to make this happen.

A Spectacular Turnout

Fans flocked to the venue, and over 1,000 supporters were in attendance, bid higher and higher at auction items, and cheered loudly for their teams. Together, they helped raise more than $8,000 for Still Serving Veterans, with expectations climbing to over $10,000 once all funds are tallied. Talk about a community rallying around an important cause!

Before the game kicked off, retired major general Lynn Collyar spoke to the enthusiastic crowd, emphasizing how wonderful it was to see veterans competing together. “This represents the total forces, and that’s fantastic,” he remarked, admiring the jerseys proudly displaying each player’s branch of service.

Game On!

The puck drop featured a special moment with Smith doing the honors between Dermer and Unconventional Warfare player Joe McCallion. And as the game unfolded, it was a tight contest with Trigger Happy eventually clinching the victory with a score of 6-4!

Trigger Happy took an early lead and stayed strong throughout, showcasing exciting plays like Tyler Bingham’s two goals, including a breakaway goal that thrilled fans. In contrast, Jon Farr from Unconventional Warfare stole the spotlight momentarily with a hat trick!

A Fun Twist on Competing

In an amusing twist during the game, Dermer found himself in the penalty box for “working too hard,” which allowed Farr to score during a power play. The camaraderie didn’t stop there, with members of the local Huntsville Havoc also contributing to the festivities. Coaches, referees, and announcers were all part of this united effort to support a noble cause.

Looking to the Future

As players, organizers, and fans left the rink that day, the buzz around continuing the Battle of the Brave only grew. With such enthusiasm and support, this is undoubtedly a hockey tradition in the making.

Huntsville, we can’t wait to see what next year’s event will bring!