Team USA Gearing Up For Heroes Appreciation Weekend

Team USA will don these alternate jerseys for both games on the weekend

PLYMOUTH, Mich. - USA Hockey's National Team Development Program and USA Hockey Arena have partnered with the Michigan Veterans Region 9 VCAT and Motor City Veterans Hockey to put on the NTDP's 10th annual Salute to Heroes Appreciation Weekend. The event will take place this Friday (March 3) and Saturday (March 4) evenings and will be dedicated to supporting and celebrating veterans, active military, military families and all first responders.

Over the military-themed weekend, Team USA will play a pair of home games as the U.S. National Under-17 Team will host the USHL's Youngstown Phantoms on both nights. Each game will feature special military guests, interactive games, resource and information tables and giveaways at USA Hockey Arena.

Tickets for either game are available by visiting the USA Hockey Arena box office in person, calling 734-453-8400 or going online at USAHockeyNTDP.com/tix.

Friday night's fun is headlined by a USA Eagle koozie giveaway, as the first 1,500 fans into USA Hockey Arena will receive their koozie!

Featured along the arena concourse will be a face-painting station, meet and greet with Rosie the Riveters, a slap-shot station with Motor City Veterans Hockey, Paw Patrol character appearances and more family-fun activities!

A new display this year will be a Michigan memorial experience, a veteran-based exhibit that will pay homage to veterans in the state. The exhibit will be shown along the south wall on the main entrance side and all fans are invited to go in throughout the game. The memorial experience will be set up on both gamenights this weekend.

Saturday's giveaway item is an American flag and will go to the first 750 fans in attendance! The memorial experience, face painting and family-fun games along the concourse all return for the second game of the weekend.

Team USA will honor veterans at all media timeouts throughout both games on the weekend. Prior to puck drop on each night, there will be a pregame ceremony to highlight our local heroes and both games will feature an honorary puck drop.

The entire weekend would not be possible without the help of our incredible community sponsors. Please take the time to check out our partners below, and click the links to learn more about them.