NHL Alumni and Special Operations Reunite in Bozeman for Face Off for Heroes
From July 3 to 6, 2025, the Warrior for Life Fund hosted the inaugural Face Off for Heroes Montana, presented by the National Hockey League. The event united NHL Alumni, Naval Special Warfare, Army Special Operations personnel, and their families for a powerful weekend of hockey, connection, and shared purpose.
Held at Gallatin Ice Arena in Bozeman, the four-day event blended hockey with fellowship, giving servicemembers and their families a rare opportunity to slow down and reconnect.
“This is a community effort that changes lives,” said Ryan Croley, Executive Director of the Warrior for Life Fund. “We’re using the game of hockey to break down walls, build trust, and help people feel whole again.”
During opening remarks, Stanley Cup champion and NHL Director of Social Impact Andrew Ference said, “When I left the league, I missed the locker room more than the game. I think that’s something our veterans understand deeply. This event gives us all that feeling back. That sense of team never goes away.”
Photos @GEOFF MARTEL
Face Off for Heroes Montana features NHL players and ambassadors, including Stanley Cup Winners Ken Linseman, Andrew Ference, and Mike Lalor. Current Chicago Blackhawk Sam Lafferty alongside Al Iafrate, Andrew Alberts, Kevan Miller, Mark Mowers, Terry Yake, John Moore, and Frank Simonetti.
Drafted first overall in the 2025 Face Off For Heroes, Montana was a Boston Bruin alumnus and a Montana native, Kevan Miller. “I wasn’t drafted in the NHL,” Miller told the crowd. “So, I’m going to soak this in for a second, if you guys don’t mind.”
The sled hockey game showcased the spirit of adaptability and inclusion. Featuring Paralympic gold medalist Kip St. Germaine, U.S. Women’s National Team champion Laurie Wood, NHL Alumni, and veterans from Naval Special Warfare and Army Special Operations, the game was made possible through the support of Ability Montana and the Bozeman community.
Photos @GEOFF MARTEL
“This isn’t a fundraiser with a hockey game attached,” said Tony Cabana of the Navy SEAL Foundation. “This is a transformational experience built around the ice. The impact is lasting and real.”
Face Off for Heroes Montana represents a new chapter in the Warrior for Life Fund’s ongoing memorial series, which began in 2013. To date, more than 1,400 Naval Special Warfare families have participated in over 25 events across the country, each designed to strengthen bonds, honor service, and help people reconnect with their purpose.
