St. Cloud Minnesota Warriors Represent Central Minnesota at National Veterans Showcase in Tampa

(KNSI) – A band of brothers with the St. Cloud Minnesota Warriors hockey team participated in the 6th annual Navy Federal Credit Union Veterans Showcase in Tampa, Florida, over the weekend.

The Veterans Showcase took place January 30th through February 2nd. The team was one of only four selected through an application process to compete in the tournament. KNSI News caught up with Warriors Team Captain John Hew Len shortly after the team arrived back home. Even though he submitted the application, he was dumbfounded when he received the call that they’d been selected. “I was shocked. I didn’t believe it at first. I may have said some expletives to them because I thought somebody was messing with me,” Hew Len said.

The next challenge for Hew Len was choosing 14 teammates to join him at the showcase from the more than 60 members of the regional team. “It was extremely difficult to pick that few guys because there are so many good guys on the squad. It was the most difficult decision I had to make during this whole thing.”

Hew Len leaned on the help of a friend for the selection process. They decided they wouldn’t just try to choose the best players—they wanted a good mix of talent and experience, including some guys who haven’t had a chance to play out of state.

The Warriors faced tough competition at the showcase. They were first matched up against the Navy SEAL Foundation team and lost, but bounced back the next day by beating the Tampa Bay Warriors in a shootout.

Beyond the games themselves, Hew Len says the team was treated like superstars throughout the weekend. They received police escorts, stayed in the finest hotel accommodations, and had handlers to help guide them through the event. “I think the one thing I’m going to be able to take away from all the experiences we got to have is I got to have it with some of my best friends. That was pretty special.”

For Hew Len, the program has become about much more than hockey. He credits the organization with connecting him to other former military members and creating lasting friendships. “The camaraderie and brotherhood is a big part of it. You know, most of my friends, except for like two that I grew up with, are all warriors. I’ve got friends across the country now because of this.”

Hew Len wants any veterans out there who are struggling in any way to know about this unique opportunity to regain that brotherhood. And he says if a vet doesn’t know how to play hockey or skate, the team will help them learn.

The Warriors’ next event is the Blattner’s Warrior Showcase, where the team will take on a squad from Blattner, an energy construction company. The matchup is scheduled for February 28th at Scheels Arena in Sartell.

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