Ten years ago, Marine Tyler Bluder revived a hockey team for U.S. Marines, turning sticks and pucks into a way to keep the brotherhood alive. Today, the team brings veterans together from across the country not only to compete, but also to connect. Instead of hotels and restaurants, they share rental homes and home-cooked meals, often with families in tow.
“We’re a family,” Bluder says. “Once a Marine, always a Marine.”
A turning point came last year, when the team was chosen from 200 applicants to play in Navy Federal Credit Union’s Veterans Showcase during the NHL Stadium Series. Bluder’s team won the tournament in a shootout and enjoyed a weekend of hockey, camaraderie, and a once-in-a-lifetime experience, with all expenses covered by Navy Federal. Beyond the ice, the event opened space for deeper conversations about challenges like depression and unemployment. Those talks inspired the team to apply for nonprofit status, which helps cover tournament costs and strengthen support for players.
For Bluder, a member of Navy Federal, the mission is clear: “We all have this common bond of being Marines together. Hockey just brings us back.” Read his story.
