Battle of the Brave Veteran Hockey Game
Two teams made up of veterans participated in the first Battle of the Brave in 2024. The game was officiated by members of the Huntsville Havoc hockey team and they were joined by the Havoc mascots, Chaos and Rukus.
Join us for The Battle of the Brave, a benefit hockey game featuring teams made up entirely of former service members, returning to the Huntsville Ice Sports Center on Saturday, November 8 at 2:30 p.m.
This special event brings together Veterans, hockey fans, and the Huntsville community for an afternoon of camaraderie, competition, and giving back. Proceeds benefit Still Serving Veterans, helping empower Veterans and their families through career and transition support.
Honoring Service and Community
Organizer Steve Dermer, a retired Chief Warrant Officer 5, said the tremendous community response made this an annual tradition. This year’s event features 34 Veteran players, representing an incredible 550 combined years of service on the ice. Even with added roster spots, there’s already a waitlist of Veterans eager to participate.
Last year’s near sellout crowd of 375 fans helped raise $10,000 for Still Serving Veterans—making it one of the organization’s largest third-party donations. This year, the goal is even higher: $20,000.
Veteran-Owned Sponsors Lead the Way
Two Veteran-owned businesses—Vali, Inc. and Ware Welding—are proudly sponsoring this year’s game.
Steve Smith, President and CEO of Vali, Inc., joined as a sponsor and now as a player after learning to skate for last year’s event. “It brings Veterans together who have a love for hockey and again – Still Serving Veterans,” Smith said.
Heath Ware, owner of Ware Welding, has been playing hockey since he was 15 and is creating a custom art piece for the event’s benefit auction. “Huntsville has a very large Veteran community and a very large hockey community,” Ware said. “When those two groups combine and there are Veteran hockey players on the ice, it’s pretty cool.”
Special Guests and Pre-Event Celebration
Huntsville Havoc players and mascots will be in attendance to cheer on the teams and connect with fans.
Before game day, don’t miss the Jersey Reveal Night at Zambrewskis inside the Huntsville Ice Sports Center on Tuesday, October 29 at 6:30 p.m. The event is open to the public and offers a sneak peek at the official game jerseys.
Get Your Tickets
Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to support our Veterans and enjoy a thrilling hockey matchup!
Tickets are available now — secure your seats today and help us reach our $20,000 goal for Still Serving Veterans!