Supporting Veteran and First Responder Mental Health and Wellness
Pittsburgh, PA – The Malone Family Foundation, founded by NHL alumnus Ryan Malone, will host its annual Warrior Hockey Academy, presented by Tomahawk Charitable Solutions, on Saturday, July 19th at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex. The full-day academy will provide Veterans and first responders from six local hockey organizations with on-ice and off-ice training at no cost, all in support of mental health and overall wellness.
Warrior Hockey Academy was introduced in 2023 at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex as the foundation’s inaugural Warrior Wellness Camp. That original event inspired the creation of Warrior Hockey Academy, which has since become the signature program of The Malone Family Foundation. To date, five academies have been held nationwide, including in Pittsburgh, Tampa, and Blaine, MN at the National Sports Center.
Dwayne Hinkle, a past participant and member of the Pittsburgh Warriors, shared, “The Malone Family Foundation has created an event that embraces and showcases the essence and spirit of Warrior Hockey: camaraderie, brotherhood, sisterhood, and healing.” Nick Boyko, a fellow member of the Pittsburgh Warriors, continued, “It provides an opportunity for bonding with local heroes under the tutelage of former NHL players.”
Ryan, Greg, and Mark Malone, as well as Mark Recchi, Jeff Carter, and Colby Armstrong of the Pittsburgh Penguins Alumni Association will lead Saturday’s on-ice training sessions. The academy will also feature a series of off-ice wellness sessions including the importance of recovery, nutrition, jiu-jitsu, and breathwork. All sessions are designed to teach participants how to improve their everyday wellness routines inspired by the game of hockey.
“It is our family’s honor to support our heroes through this academy,” said Ryan Malone. “Their sacrifices have inspired our foundation’s work and are truly at the root of our mission. We created Warrior Hockey Academy to offer more than just a day on the ice — it’s about building a safe and supportive community, and reminding these incredible men and women that they are not alone.”
Approximately 60 Veterans and first responders are set to join Warrior Hockey Academy this Saturday. The attendees represent the Pittsburgh Warriors, Pittsburgh Icemen, It’s About the Warrior Foundation, Johnstown Generals, PA State Police, and Pittsburgh Fire Hockey Club.
Craig Canofari of the Pittsburgh Fire Hockey Club shared, “Warrior Hockey Academy offers us a uniquely meaningful experience, allowing us to connect through our shared love of hockey and through one another’s company and stories. While the ice brings us together, it’s not our skills that matter most — it’s the camaraderie and mutual support.” He continued, “Warrior Hockey Academy is more than just a day of programming. It’s a celebration of healing, community, and gratitude. It’s marked on our calendars every year because it keeps proving how powerful it is when we lace up our skates and face life together.”
The Malone Family Foundation’s goal is to bring the Warrior Hockey Academy program to the nation’s bravest from coast to coast. Sponsorship opportunities are available to support the academy’s continued growth by contacting amanda@hockeyishealing.org.
Sponsors and supporters for Saturday’s academy include: Tomahawk Charitable Solutions, Confluence Financial Partners, Rivers Casino, Henderson Brothers, Tom Reed Armed Forces Career/Veterans Center, Phase 4 Learning Center Inc., Window World, Veteran Bushido Brotherhood, Folds of Honor, Pittsburgh Penguins Alumni Association, Pittsburgh Penguins, Mario Lemieux Foundation, Clearview Federal Credit Union, 1:11 Juice Bar, RMU Athletics, Peoples Gas, Wendell August Forge, Lake Effect Hockey, NHL Alumni Association, Hendrickson Foundation, LMNT, Mindfuel, Shop412, Restore Hyper Wellness + Cryotherapy, Palmer Products Imaging, and the Air National Guard.
Passionate about giving back to the game that gave him so much, Ryan Malone founded The Malone Family Foundation alongside his family in 2022. The foundation’s mission is to unleash the healing power of hockey and use it as a positive force in the lives of those it serves. For more, visit: hockeyishealing.org