Two things the Upper Peninsula truly supports — hockey and veterans — will come together Saturday when the Michigan – Upper Peninsula Veterans Hockey Club hosts the Minnesota Warriors in a special fundraiser at Dee Stadium.
The game benefits the Tunnels to Towers Foundation, a national organization that supports veterans and families facing financial hardship.
For many veterans, transitioning back to civilian life presents challenges. Some easily readjust, while others struggle with mental health issues or new physical conditions. Casey Polkinghorne, a Marine Corps veteran who served from 1997 to 2017, said hockey provides a familiar environment.
“It doesn’t matter how much time you spent — you have a real good strong bond with the guys and gals that you serve with,” Polkinghorne said. “You kind of miss that when you get out, and hockey is fairly similar. You get the locker room, you got the guys supporting each other, you got the competition. It’s just a great atmosphere, the guys supporting each other.”
John French helped found the Michigan – Upper Peninsula Veterans Hockey Club. The team travels throughout the state and Midwest to participate in veterans’ tournaments and organize fundraising events. Over the past four years, the annual hockey game in Houghton has supported the Elks, local youth hockey programs and the D.J. Jacobetti Veterans’ Home.
“We played a charity game down there. We’ve even gone as far as Ironwood, helped raise money for some repairs at their facilities, their rink facilities in Ironwood,” French said. “Usually if we find a couple of vets in the area that need some help, we’ll help them as well.”
The team also participates in tournaments beyond Michigan. Polkinghorne noted they competed in a Henderson tournament in Minneapolis last year.
“We did it last year for our first time and it was a great experience,” he said. “Some guys are going back again this year.”
This weekend’s opponent, the Minnesota Warriors, represents another strong hockey community. The matchup supports the Tunnels to Towers Foundation’s mission to assist veterans nationwide.
“They’ll buy a hotel, renovate it and then provide a whole bunch of apartments to vets, and turn it into a veteran home, a veteran complex so everybody can kind of look after one another,” French explained. “They also do a lot with Gold Star families and veterans, first responders that may have difficulty with wheelchair access or issues at their homes. They’ll go through and help renovate the veteran’s home so they can live a productive life.”
French said the fundraiser brings communities together while showcasing Upper Peninsula hockey tradition.
“It’s incredible to be able to bring people from another hockey state like Minnesota, bring them to the Upper Peninsula, the birthplace of professional hockey, and show them the history that we have here,” French said. “Show them that we’re every bit as much, if not better, at hockey.”
Polkinghorne expects an exciting matchup between the two veteran teams.
“There’s good history between the two teams, and Minnesota and the UP of Michigan are very strong hockey communities,” he said. “I expect it to be a very good game, exciting. We’ve got the Tech Pep Band here, which is always great. The fans are great. Should be a fun time.”
Saturday’s event begins with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. and puck drop at 7:30 p.m. The game will feature a silent auction and 50/50 raffle to support Tunnels to Towers. Tickets will cost $5 for attendees. Veterans, first responders, and children under 12 can attend the game for free.
More information about the game is available here.
