Teaming Up

Contractors and Camo hockey tournament assists Challenge Alaska, Alaska Warriors hockey

By Matt Nevala

ia Carson may be indecisive about her playing status early next year when it’s time for the 2022 Contractors and Camo three-on-three hockey tournament.

“I’m on the [tournament] board, so I guess I’ll be involved in some way,” Carson says jokingly. “I hope to bring some creativity, help with visuals and on social media.”

Whether or not she gears up for the charitable event hosted in Anchorage by the Associated General Contractors of Alaska, Challenge Alaska, and the Alaska Warriors program, one thing is clear for Carson and dozens of other Alaska-based military veterans like her: Skating with the Warriors and supporting one another on and off the ice is worthy of a million Facebook likes and Twitter retweets.

“No matter the military background or severity of disability, we all kind of recognize it’s the same mirror we’re looking into each day,” says Carson, who served in the Air Force as a firefighter and in other medical services. “The catalyst and what makes the Warriors so unique is that everybody is welcome. Regardless of injury or disability or skill level, there’s a place for you.

“You feel connected. There’s teamwork and camaraderie.”

Challenge Alaska improves the lives of people with disabilities, their families, and the whole community through adaptive sports, therapeutic recreation, and education. In 2017, USA Hockey issued a grant to the organization to start a Warriors hockey program. The move was made after a few years of Challenge Alaska’s participation in USA Hockey’s Disabled Hockey Festival.

Veterans with disabilities who also happened to enjoy playing hockey quickly became part of the process. They helped build the program and recruit eligible players.

“I’m one of the originals,” says Bryan Murphy, an Army veteran of almost thirteen years. “I’m so happy to know we’ve reached so many people—men and women who really needed the outlet.”

Murphy says between sixty and eighty veterans have been part of the Warriors at one time or another. He also says about forty-five actively play, mostly a seasonal Monday night skate at Eagle River’s McDonald Memorial Center. The Warriors have also represented the state at national tournaments in Florida, Illinois, and, most recently, in Minnesota.

In fact, the Warriors won the Hendrickson Foundation National Hockey Festival division championship in early June. The festival is an annual competition among disabled hockey teams.

“It was pretty special,” says Frank Mucci, an Army veteran who was with the Warriors in Minnesota. “Win or lose, we were breaking bread and sharing stories with brothers and sisters from around the country and that’s always great. But taking home a little hardware? Yes, we did love that.”

Looking ahead to the fourth edition of Contractors and Camo, the date is set for January 8 at the Royal Business Systems Ice Center in South Anchorage. The tournament features teams mixed with veterans and those from the construction field. The six- or seven-person teams play multiple twenty-minute games on half of the regulation-sized rink.

“Like many of us in the veteran community, contractors get dirty working with their hands and are rough and tough,” says Murphy. “We set out to enhance the overall bond between the two worlds. It’s a chance to meet new people and help [the Warriors and Challenge Alaska] raise some funds.”

Mucci says there’s a competitive element to the three-on-three format, but the event goes beyond simple competition.

“Contractors and Camo is a great way to support all of us veterans,” he says.

Carson currently works as the Anchorage Fire Department’s Community Risk Reduction Coordinator. The single mother of two first got involved in hockey when her daughters tried out the sport a few years ago. First a supportive parent, she started coaching and figured she should learn to play.

After giving the local women’s recreational league a try, Carson gravitated toward the Warriors. She was the lone female to play on the Minnesota festival team.

“Looking at my skill level, I was a little intimidated about traveling to the tournament,” Carson says. “I said I’d be the water girl and be little Miss Positive.”

The Warriors weren’t having it. Carson played forward throughout the tournament and the night before the championship was recognized for her work ethic, kindness, giving nature, leadership, and hope in adversity.

The Hendrickson Foundation awarded Carson a Valor Value Salute honor, much to her surprise. Video of the moment can be found on the Alaska Warriors’ Facebook page.

“It was so overwhelming, I had to just keep walking up to receive the award,” she says. “One step at a time.”

As part of the award, Carson received a glass star and a monetary gift. She used some of the money on a new dining room table she expects to receive this fall. The custom-made item will feature blue resin and small images of hockey sticks embedded into the design.

“I love to host and share time with special people,” says Carson. “The table is something I’d never otherwise purchase. I’m honored people saw something in me.”

Veterans also see something in the Alaska Warriors program.

“A lot of the guys and gals I’ve skated with these last few years really needed help and needed to feel comfortable finding it,” says Mucci, who recently moved to Arizona and says he’ll work diligently to create a Warriors program down there. “We’ve all had our own rough patches, so being a part of something special with people who know where you’ve been is amazing and important.”