In an act of solidarity and remembrance, the Lightning Warriors, a group of military veterans and active-duty members, laced up their skates for a marathon hockey event held over the weekend. According to WFLA, the team played a draining 22 straight hours of hockey to raise awareness for an epidemic often overlooked: veteran suicide. Citations from the team player and veteran Jay Guz bring attention to an alarming statistic that, at the program's inception, an estimated 22 veteran suicides occurred per day.
This was the fifth annual Hockey Heals 22 event, per a FOX 13 News report. The veterans played tirelessly through the night and early morning hours, in a symbolic gesture, to support those struggling like many of the players had. The event saw participation from various teams from the state, "There's really been no age limit that's been out here," said Keigh Jones, reflecting the communal spirit that hockey fosters, regardless of the taxing 4 a.m. game times.
Funds raised through Hockey Heals 22 go towards charities within the Tampa Bay area, primarily aiding veteran-focused mental health initiatives. Bob Ludwig, associated with C2 Defense, noted in an interview with WFLA that the event supports two foundations each year, with this year's beneficiaries being the Malone Foundation and the Mission Role Call.
Personal testimonies highlight the poignant cause behind the event. Combat veteran Hunter McGaughey told FOX 13 News, "We're here to play 22 consecutive hours of hockey to raise awareness for the 22 veteran suicides that are happening every day." Meanwhile, reminiscing about vets who have passed away, Laura Busbin, reflecting on her son Jonathon, told WTSP, "I wish I would've known it seven years ago and maybe my son would still be here."
The event didn't just serve as a fundraiser but also as a beacon of community and shared understanding. Former Tampa Bay Lightning player Ryan Malone, who joined the initiative, shared, "Sometimes when we maybe get a little down on ourselves, we try to isolate and usually that's not the best option sometimes so when we have kind of a team, a supportive group around you it really helps you off the ice that's where the magic happens," in an interview with WTSP.
