USA Warriors Win B Division Championship in USA Hockey Sled Classic Rockville, Md., USA Warriors ice hockey team represented Washington Capitals
For the second consecutive season the USA Warriors sled hockey team, sponsored by the Washington Capitals, won the B Division Championship of the USA Hockey Sled Classic, held Nov. 21-24 in Pittsburgh.
The USA Hockey Sled Classic is an annual round-robin tournament between NHL-affiliated teams. Established in 2010, it is the first competitive adult tournament of its kind.
The USA Warriors team was comprised of approximately 15 army veterans, many of whom were wounded in combat and were patients at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, as well as two local high school players.
This year’s competition began on Thursday, Nov. 21, and ended on Sunday, Nov. 24. The Capitals played in the B Division against the New York Rangers, the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Buffalo Sabres. The Capitals won 4 out of 5 games during the tournament and outscored their opponents 20 to 9.
After defeating the Columbus Blue Jackets in the semifinal game on Nov. 24 at the Robert Morris University Island Sports Center, the Capitals defeated the New York Rangers in the finals at Consol Energy Center.
This year’s competition marked the second year a Capitals sponsored team participated in the classic. The Capitals won all five of their contests in 2012 when they won the B Division championship.
The USA Warriors Ice Hockey Program is a nonprofit, all volunteer organization working in partnership with the Disabled American Veterans (DAV). They offer sled and standing hockey programs to patients at Walter Reed and disabled veterans. Founded in 2008, the program currently has around 20 sled players and 30 standing players who practice and play games year-round.
The USA Hockey Sled Classic featured 16 competing teams, each affiliated with an NHL Club. The Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres, Carolina Hurricanes, Chicago Blackhawks, Colorado Avalanche, Columbus Blue Jackets, Dallas Stars, Florida Panthers, Los Angeles Kings, Nashville Predators, New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers, and Pittsburgh Penguins were all represented in addition to the Washington Capitals squad. Players wore official NHL licensed jerseys with local club marks and logos throughout the competition.
The event was part of the third annual Come Play Hockey Month, a joint effort of USA Hockey and the NHL.
For full tournament results, statistics and game recaps, as well as photos and video content from the weekend, click here.
The Washington Capitals sponsored USA Warriors ice hockey team prepares for a game at the fourth annual USA Hockey Sled Classic. The team claimed the B Division Championship for the second consecutive year.
Members of the Rockville, Md., USA Warriors ice hockey team pose for a team photo at the fourth annual USA Hockey Sled Classic in Pittsburgh. The Washington Capitals sponsored the Rockville, Md., USA Warriors ice hockey team for the second consecutive year.
