A hockey night for warriors

As part of the Rochester Americans’ Military Salute night, the Flower City Warriors, Rochester’s recreational hockey team for military veterans, will play a game and be honored at the Blue Cross Arena next week.

“Initially we were just going to be recognized on the ice alongside the Amerks for their Military Salute night,” says Charles Belfield, president of Flower City Warriors.

An opportunity to play a scrimmage match at the Blue Cross Arena, which Belfield had been looking into, fittingly coincided with that event.

“Turns out, the idea was pretty popular,” he says. “(The Buffalo Warriors) wanted to come down and play and now it’s taken off quite a bit, actually.”

Belfield says it will be a friendly match versus Flower City’s “I-90 rivals” before the Amerks play later in the evening. The game will also feature newly designed jerseys for Flower City, paid for by the American Legion Post 664 in Honeoye Falls.

As a nonprofit, the Flower City Warriors appreciate the support from the community and businesses such as the Buffalo Sabres Foundation, WNY Heroes, 180 Images, Fairport Music Festival, and Silky Knit Athletics.

The hockey team, which participated in “Wreaths Across America” and “Honor Flight” events last year, plans to participate in even more community events in the future.

“We benefit a lot from the graciousness of the community,” Belfield says. “We want to make sure we’re giving back to the veteran community as well.”

As part of the national USA Warrior Hockey network, Flower City has participated in tournaments and events in Long Island, Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay, and other areas. This spring, it has events planned in Oswego and Rochester.

Through the team, their competition, and comradery, Belfield says players have found a support group and outlet for post-service life. In fact, his own readjustment period to civilian life was longer than he had hoped, hindered further by professional and personal plans that fell through.

With fond memories of playing hockey, Belfield coincidentally attended a first responders hockey tournament held at the Tim Hortons Iceplex.

“I thought, if nothing else, at least it would be fun to watch the fire department and police department play each other,” he recalls. “That’s how I learned that Rochester had a veteran hockey team and I signed up right away.

“It can fill that hole that you feel post-service, which we all deal with,” adds Belfield. “If you wanted to learn the sport of hockey, if you enjoyed the sport of hockey but you fell out of it while you were serving, it’s a great outlet.”

The Flower City Warriors play at 2 p.m. on Jan. 17 before the Rochester Americans game at 7:15 p.m. Tickets purchased online will automatically result in a $5 donation to the veteran hockey program.

Jacob Schermerhorn is a Rochester Beacon contributing writer and data journalist. The Beacon welcomes comments and letters from readers who adhere to our comment policy including use of their full, real name. See “Leave a Reply” below to discuss on this post. Comments of a general nature may be submitted to the Letters page by emailing  [email protected].