Veterans find camaraderie and strength in Ohio Warriors sled hockey program

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — The Columbus Blue Jackets shared center ice with another hockey program during their game against the Colorado Avalanche on April 3rd. The NHL club highlighted local heroes and hockey fans during the first intermission on Military Appreciation Night.

"It's huge," said Ohio Warriors general Manager Brian Rosen on the Blue Jacket's support. "What it's really done for us more than anything is it allows us to put these guys out in front of 20,000 (people) and our hope is maybe there are other disabled veterans in the crowd who see these guys and are like, 'I can do this!' or 'I want to give it a try.'"

The Ohio Warriors sled hockey program has offered veterans a unique opportunity to find camaraderie and physical strength on the ice since 2014. Rosen says the program has supported more than 50 veterans.

The idea of bringing sled hockey to central Ohio was inspired by a young man from Fostoria named Shane, who had lost both of his legs and had a traumatic brain injury back in 2007. Rosen met him at the National Disabled Veterans Sports Clinic in Colorado in 2002.

"We became very close, and when he was being released, my wife said I think we need to do something for Shane," said Rosen. "We reached out to the USA Warriors, our parent program, and decided to start the Ohio Warriors. "It's all about trying their teamwork and camaraderie that’s so critical when your active duty and then once you’re out of the service it’s really hard to capture that. It’s a brotherhood only they know."

Veteran Craig Payne, who served in the United States Army from 2011 to 2019, is part of this brotherhood. Inspired by his father's service in the 1980s and 1990s, Payne felt it was his turn to give back to the country.

"I grew up through the 9/11 and seeing all the deployments and everyone else going, my dad was in the army in the 80’s and 90’s and I felt it was my turn to give back to the country," said Payne.

Payne's deployment in Iraq nearly cost him his life when he was hit by an improvised explosive device, breaking his back. "I couldn’t get around without the use of a cane, now I’m getting around able to do stuff with my kids again," he said.

Sled hockey has helped Payne regain physical strength and maintain cardiovascular health. "It’s given me the ability to be physical and have cardio. I’m not able to run anymore because I have three crushed vertebrae and two bulging disks in my lower back. I’ve had five knee surgeries; running is not a fan anymore," said Payne.

Despite his injuries, Payne remains committed to battling on the ice with his Ohio Warrior comrades. "Any veteran that wants to come out and give it a try, that's all it takes. We are a family and an organization that cares about one another, and we want to see everyone succeed," he said.

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