Veterans from across Ohio and Michigan came together over the weekend for more than just a hockey game—they came for healing, camaraderie, and community.
The Toledo Warriors Hockey Club faced off against the Saginaw Warriors at Tam-O-Shanter Ice Rink in Sylvania, drawing hundreds of spectators for a game that was as much about mental health as it was competition.
The players on the ice share a bond far deeper than their love of hockey—they’re all U.S. military
veterans
, many of whom have served in combat and now use the sport to process trauma and connect with others who understand their journey.
“To serve with fellow military brothers is something unbelievable,” said Michael Eck, a former U.S. Marine who served from 2006 to 2012.
Now a member of the Toledo Warriors, Eck said the team provides a powerful outlet for veterans to form meaningful relationships while staying active.
“You have something in common, and then you get to go out on the ice and play hard and bond. Then you can leave the battle out on the ice and come in the locker room and exchange stories,” said Eck. “And then to be involved in the community, helping each other, it’s awesome.”
The Toledo Warriors Hockey Club is a newly launched veteran-owned and operated nonprofit, specifically designed for injured and disabled military veterans. The program aims to support mental health by providing a competitive, team-based outlet for recovery and growth.
“Playing hockey growing up, and then like 20 years of not doing anything, and then to come back on the ice and play with a great group of guys, it’s pretty awesome,” said Eck.
The initiative has already gained attention and support from other veteran-focused organizations, including
H.O.O.V.E.S.
, a nonprofit that uses equestrian therapy to help veterans transition from PTSD to post-traumatic growth.
“This is amazing to me,” said Tiffani Hollis, a former Army veteran and Director of Outreach and Impact for H.O.O.V.E.S. “I am always so grateful when veteran organizations reach out to other veteran organizations because we support each other, and that’s what the key is. It’s about building community.”
Hollis emphasized the mental health benefits of the program, saying, “We always know that activity is one thing that’s very good for mental health. So having these veterans, having this outlet is just phenomenal.”
The Toledo Warriors are scheduled to return to the ice in August. For more information on the team, upcoming games, or how to support the program, visit
WTOL.com
.
