If you’re not familiar with the Philadelphia Warriors, an affiliate of the Flyers, they’re a hockey team made up of US military Veterans, split into 3 different tier levels. I spoke with Andrew Maenner, who’s a player and one of the social media gurus for the Warriors. I asked him what it takes to join the team. “Right now we’re in the process of building a website where there will be a link to join the team, but as of now the best way to join is to reach out to the team via their social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter). You’ll hear back from either me, or Ed McEvoy who’s one of the other social media reps.”
What do the Warriors need from you? Your DD214 (which is your release from active duty or reserves, whatever branch you served under), then your minimum of 10% VA rating of disability. The Warriors will send you their handbook, you read it over and sign it. You’ll be at your first practice in no time.
Andrew has been a huge help with all of my coverage for the Warriors so far. “I played hockey my whole life”, he said. He left the Marine Corps on August 25th, 2019, and was at his first Warriors practice two weeks later. Incredible. I had the pleasure of attending several Warriors practices, and was impressed with what I saw.
First, practice is intense, including shooting drills for the goalies and a 1-on-1 center ice drill. Brad Marsh does a great job as head coach, and has a great hockey IQ. When I watched practice at Pennsauken Skate Zone, he was very verbal, along with having structure for each drill to make it feel like a game which is the end goal.
One of the drills that caught my eye was each player split up evenly in a line along the 4 sides of the two bluelines, one side would pass, the other would receive a puck at center ice and would have to scream, “Hey!” or “Puck!” or whatever they could think of to get that pass through, so they could go in on a goalie and take a shot.
After a practice at the Wells Fargo Center, I spoke with Deborah Rhodes, who never played sports growing up. “Hockey really healed me, it made our family come back together. My son plays hockey, my girls play hockey, it’s great exercise. I get to meet new people, no one judges, and everyone learns at their own pace. And the Flyers provide that at a very minimal cost.”
“It’s like that camaraderie we had in the Military. We have here with our hockey team and the hockey family just embraces you.”
Deborah went on to say the Flyers have given her a new sense of self. “I’m not the best, I’ve gotten maybe a little bit better but every week it’s something to look forward to.” She also said over the last year she’s lost 120-lbs from diet, exercise, and playing the game.
“It’s been amazing”.
On Saturday September 25th, the Warriors had a press conference for the announcement of the 2021 USA Hockey ‘Warrior Classic’ that is taking place on November 5th-7th at Voorhees and Hollydale. Toyota, who is the official automotive partner of the tournament, presented the Warriors with a $35,000 check.
Here’s a link to the full Press Conference:
Training Camp and Nasty Knuckles Scrimmage
Training camp was a fun time for the Warriors. The 3-day event at Voorhees and Pennsauken was filled with lots of good things for the team. I have a full video here of highlights from both Camp & the game vs the Knuckles crew.
Great piece!!!