Minnesota Wild Honors Military at Appreciation Night

A Night of Honor: Minnesota Wild Salutes the Military with a Full Slate of Tributes

The Minnesota Wild are set to host a powerful night of tribute on Saturday, November 7th, when they take on the Tampa Bay Lightning at 7 p.m. The Military Appreciation Night, announced by NHL.com, will feature a series of honors designed to celebrate the men and women of the Armed Forces and their families. Nearly every element of the game will be dedicated to this cause, creating an evening that goes beyond the typical sports spectacle.

According to NHL.com, the centerpiece of the night will be the presentation of colors by a Joint Honor Guard, a ceremonial unit composed of personnel from the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marines. This visual display of unity and service will set the tone for a game steeped in respect and recognition for those who have served.

Guardians of the Game and a Voice of Resilience

The evening’s significance will be amplified by the presence of two special guests whose personal stories embody the spirit of service and sacrifice. Chief Warrant Officer 5 Erik Homme, who serves as the Command Chief Warrant Officer for the Minnesota National Guard, will be honored as the Guardian of the Game. As reported by NHL.com, Homme’s military career, which began in 1986, has spanned nearly four decades, during which he has dedicated his service to advising the Adjutant General and senior military leadership on warrant officer matters.

In a moment that underscores the raw reality of military service, Sergeant Cory Hicks, a Minnesota native and U.S. Army Reserve soldier with 19 years of service, will make the “Let’s Play Hockey!” announcement. On March 1, 2026, while deployed in Kuwait, Hicks was severely injured when an Iranian drone struck his military operations center, an attack that tragically killed six of his fellow service members. Hicks sustained multiple serious injuries, including a traumatic brain injury, and has been undergoing an extensive recovery at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

A Community Hero and a Legacy of Partnership

Army Captain Kristin Ohrt will be honored as the CUB Community Hero of the game. Her role within the Minnesota Army National Guard focuses on professional sports partnerships and community engagement, and she has been instrumental in fostering the long-standing relationships between the Guard and Minnesota’s premier sports teams, including the Wild, Twins, Vikings, Timberwolves, and Minnesota United, as noted by NHL.com.

These partnerships serve as a bridge between the military community and the public, fostering mutual respect and understanding.

The scope of the tribute will extend beyond the ice, with the Grand Casino Arena concourse set to feature several military organizations. Representatives from a wide range of American conflicts will be in attendance, including veterans from World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, and the more recent Wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Iran, creating a living timeline of service.

The Broader Context: Why This Night Matters Now

This event is not happening in a vacuum.

How to Be Part of the Tribute

For fans wishing to attend and show their support, the Minnesota Wild have made tickets available through multiple channels. Single-game tickets can be purchased at wild.com/seatgeek, seatgeek.com, or at the Grand Casino Arena Box Office. Digital tickets are accessible exclusively through the Official Minnesota Wild App or the SeatGeek App. The team is also offering longer-term commitments with Flex, 11-Game, and half and full season memberships available for purchase. For group reservations of eight or more tickets, fans can contact [email protected], and single-game suite rentals can be arranged by contacting [email protected] or booking instantly at wildsuites.com.

For one night, the roar of the crowd will be a salute to service.

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