Tag Archives: #VeteransDay

Warriors Host 2nd Annual Veterans Day Classic

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Columbus, GA – The Chattahoochee Valley Warriors hosted the Atlanta Warriors today at the Veteran’s Day Classic at the Columbus Ice Rink in front of a full house.

The Chattahoochee Valley Warriors and Atlanta Warriors, each team comprised of Veterans, put on an exciting match up for those in attendance. The Chattahoochee Valley Warriors, working to promote “Healing through Hockey”, and with support from the Columbus Ice Rink and GallantFew, hosted the first of two games at the 2nd Annual “Veterans Day Classic”.

The term “Healing Through Hockey” is one that veterans of the Chattahoochee Valley Warriors live by.  Healing through hockey has given many members of the organization an opportunity to create new connections with other veterans in a safe, challenging, and productive environment on the ice, after having served in the US military. It provides newly separated service members “an opportunity to find new purpose. When I left the service, I struggled for a long time to find meaningful connections with other people. When I joined the Chattahoochee Valley Warriors, I flourished. It’s made a major difference in my life”, commented Rich Fuller, who played tonight as the right winger for Chattahoochee Valley.

Both Warriors teams took the ice and the game was underway.

In the first period, John Bennett, David Hartle, and Dale Miller scored in a CV Warriors-dominated first period, ending the first frame of play with the CV Warriors ahead, 3-0.

The second period showed a strong effort from both Warrior teams, but only Atlanta found the back of the net. Jason Hansen put Atlanta on the board, and Nicholas Shelow helped to close the gap as well.

Chattahoochee Valley made a strong offensive effort, but could not find the back of the net. The second frame ended with the CV Warriors holding their lead, 3-2.

The final frame was an absolute battle for control of the puck, making both teams pretty heated. Jim Clapham, after being pushed from behind in front of his net, slashed his offender, ending up with a 2-minute slashing minor, plus a 10 minute misconduct for unsportsmanlike conduct, putting Chattahoochee Valley at the disadvantage.

Atlanta took off, scoring three times on a short-handed Chattahoochee Valley squad.

The game ended in favor of the Atlanta Warriors, 5-4.

Lest we forget

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The American Hockey League honors the men and women who have served their countries in the armed forces as we mark Veterans’ Day in the United States and Remembrance Day in Canada.

The AHL itself was affected in the 1940’s, when many players went off to join in the battles of World War II.

Teams throughout the AHL and NHL found their rosters depleted as the U.S. and Canadian militaries came calling. Many of the top players of the time had their playing careers interrupted or ended altogether as they served in the war — players like Les Douglas, Moe Roberts, Norm Burns, Murdo MacKay and Augie Herchenratter, who in 2014 was awarded France’s highest national honor: the rank of Knight of the National Order of the Legion of Honor for his role in helping to liberate France.

Goaltender Joe Turner made his AHL debut in 1941-42 after bouncing around the local semi-pro leagues in Ontario. He was stellar in net for the Indianapolis Capitals, posting a record of 34-10-7 and leading the club to a Calder Cup championship. He even made his NHL debut on Mar. 5, 1942, backstopping the Detroit Red Wings to a 3-3 tie with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Following the season, Turner volunteered for duty in the U.S. Army, despite being Canadian. Late in 1944, Turner became one of the casualties of the Battle of Hurtgen Forest in Germany. He was 25.

In 1945, the Joseph Turner Memorial Cup was instituted as the championship trophy of the International Hockey League. Among the winners of the Turner Cup through the years were the Chicago Wolves, who were IHL champions in 1998 and 2000 before joining the AHL.

Red Garrett was another promising young player, spending his first professional season with the AHL’s Providence Reds and NHL’s New York Rangers in 1942-43. Garrett entered the Canadian Navy in 1943, and lost his life on Nov. 25, 1944, while working on a destroyer escort run off the coast of Newfoundland.

In 1947, the American Hockey League created the Dudley (Red) Garrett Memorial Award in his honor, to be presented annually to the AHL’s outstanding rookie player. Over the last seven decades, winners of the award have included Terry Sawchuk, Roger Crozier, Rick Middleton, Darryl Sutter, Pelle Lindbergh, Ron Hextall, Brett Hull, Felix Potvin, Daniel Briere, Tyler Toffoli, Matt Murray, Frank Vatrano, Mikko Rantanen and, in 2020, Josh Norris.