Veterans Hockey Game Fundraiser

The Michigan Upper Peninsula Veterans Hockey Club will return to Dee Stadium on April 18 at 7:00 p.m. for its annual game against the Minnesota Warriors. This year’s event raises funds for the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, which provides direct housing and financial support to Gold Star families, injured veterans, and first responders facing serious hardship. The foundation is known for keeping administrative costs low and ensuring donations reach the people who need them most. Admission is five dollars, with free entry for military, first responders, and children twelve and under.

The team’s story began with a simple question about whether the Upper Peninsula had enough veterans who played hockey to form a team. In a region where hockey is woven into daily life and generations have grown up on the ice, the answer came quickly. That team now has a roster of more than forty veterans from across the region. Many had stepped away from organized hockey years ago, but the chance to reconnect with fellow veterans and return to a sport that has always been part of this community brought them back to the ice. What started as a friendly challenge has become a steady, community‑rooted program that continues to grow.

Players often talk about how the team gives them a place where they feel grounded and understood. The locker room offers a sense of belonging that can be difficult to find after military service. Practices and games give them structure, purpose, and a shared mission. The team’s commitment to raising money for others adds meaning to every event, and that mission‑driven approach has become a defining part of who they are.

The impact of the team reaches well beyond the rink. Their games have raised funds for the D. J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans, the Copper Country Veterans Association, youth hockey programs, and adaptive recreation efforts. Their partnership with the Tunnel to Towers Foundation connects local fundraising to a national network of support for veterans and first responders.

One of the most visible outcomes of their efforts is the expansion of adaptive skating access at Dee Stadium. Support from past events has helped strengthen the sled hockey program managed by Equipment Loans of the Keweenaw. These sleds are available for ongoing community use, and families from surrounding towns regularly travel to Houghton to participate. The Dee has become a regional hub for inclusive recreation, and the veterans have played a meaningful role in making that possible.

The team continues to be lifted by strong community support. Keweenaw Waters Resort has generously provided free lodging for visiting players, helping make the event possible for teams traveling long distances. Level UP Apparel has contributed custom shirts, hoodies, jackets, and hats, with proceeds supporting the fundraising effort. Players often talk about how the community’s spirit shows up in countless ways: from home‑cooked food and Keweenaw Brewing Company beer to open doors and warm welcomes. That sense of local pride and generosity has become a defining part of the event, and a reminder of how deeply this region stands behind its veterans.

There are several ways for community members to learn more or donate. The team maintains an active Facebook page where updates, photos, and event details are posted. A Facebook event page for the April 18 game will also include information, along with a direct donation link and a QR code for ease. Posters around town will feature the same QR code for quick access. The team has set a fundraising goal of $10,000 this year, and a silent auction at the event will help support that effort. Anyone with questions about donations or the program can contact John French directly at jfrench@up.net.

April 18, 2026 at 7:00 p.m.

Dee Stadium, Houghton

$5 admission

Free for military, first responders, and children twelve and under