Panthers warriors hockey
a disabled veterans hockey Program
Panthers warriors hockey
a disabled veterans hockey Program
a disabled veterans hockey Program
Veterans Helping Veterans
"Healing Through Hockey"
Our Mission:
The Panthers Warriors Hockey Program is dedicated to injured and disabled US Military Veterans who have served our country and play the sport of hockey. As one of the USA Hockey Disabled Hockey Section’s newest disciplines, the Warrior Hockey Discipline is growing across the country.
Since our beginning in 2019, our program provides a safe and welcoming outlet for disabled servicemen and servicewomen to connect with one another, challenge themselves and each other, and remind them that there is still nothing they can’t do. Through our program, Veterans are able to join our team as a way to connect, bond, and use this experience as a recreational and therapeutic way to help manage stresses from their military experiences.
All Veterans are Welcome to join our program. We will participate in 2 Warrior Hockey Tournaments each year
To be eligible to compete in the Warrior Hockey Discipline, participants must be or have been Veterans and Members of the Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard), with former Members required to have been discharged under honorable or general conditions. For full eligibility rules, click here (Warrior Hockey Eligibility PDF)
The Panthers Warriors Hockey Program is a 501(c)(3) public charity (Hockey Development Group, Inc. DBA Panthers Warriors Hockey) and is a registered member of USA Hockey, SAHOF and sub-licensee of the NHL Florida Panthers!
Nick Butterworth
#20
About Us
As a non-profit 501(c)(3) public charity. We depend on fundraising and charitable donations to fund our program. In addition to ice time, we fund costs associated with participation in: out of town games and tournaments, travel costs, meals & lodging expenses, jerseys and equipment. To offset these expenses, we seek donations from private individuals, corporate partners and Panthers Warriors Hockey logoed merchandise sales. (Coming Soon)
Our program runs all year and includes competing in two USA Hockey National Tournaments: The Warrior Classic (Usually in October) and the USA Hockey Disabled Festival (Usually in March/April). At both tournaments, we will compete against other Warrior teams from around the country for National Titles.
Our future plans include hosting a local Warrior Invitational Tournament in memory of our #1 Warrior Gabriel “Gabe” Robert Accardi. (Dates to be determined), participating in other veteran tournaments (non-warrior), sponsorships for disabled veterans in the Florida Panthers “Learn to Skate” and “Learn to Play” programs and entering a team in the adult league at the Panthers Ice Den (our home rink).
We will also organize and play fundraising games against other hockey teams (i.e. Warriors, 1st Responders, local College, HS, NHL Alumni, etc.), as a way to raise money for our program.
If your organization is interested in playing the Panthers Warriors as a fundraising game, please contact Ed Zito: edzito@pantherswarriors.org or Cell: 954.649.8550