Sticks for Support: Hockey Showcase Slam Dunk for Minnesota Warriors Program

(KNSI) — Sometimes, the goal of hockey isn’t to get the puck in the net. Sometimes, it’s about brotherhood, camaraderie, and resilience.

The fourth annual Blattner Minnesota Warriors Hockey Showcase raised an astounding $46,115 to help out the Minnesota Warriors Hockey Program. The money came from corporate sponsorships and the generous donations of spectators at the event. Twenty-four local businesses stepped up with monetary or in-kind donations.

In all, $145,688 has been raised for the program.

Blattner Company in Avon and Marco Technologies in St. Cloud sponsor teams to take on the Minnesota Warriors each year. They are a team of veterans who travel the state to raise money for service organizations.

This year, Marco’s team was a group of players from local recreational leagues, while Blattner’s team was made up of its workers.

Marco played the first game of the doubleheader on the 17th, and the Warriors took home the victory 6-5. Blattner took game two 6-2.

A press release from Blattner said, “The Showcase proceeds to provide the Warriors’ players with more opportunities for traveling to tournaments, paying for ice time for practices, and generally covering the cost of playing the game.”

The Minnesota Warriors’ mission is to provide a therapeutic, recreational, and educational opportunity for wounded, injured, or otherwise disabled veterans.

John DeCausmeaker, professional hockey National Anthem singer and U.S. Navy submarine veteran, sang the national anthem for the event.

Watch the game replay here.

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