NHL teams take time to honor the military on Nov. 11

On any other game day, the Vancouver Canucks would be holding a morning skate prior to their game that evening. But Nov. 11 is not just any game day -- it's Remembrance Day in Canada and Veterans Day in the United States -- and the Canucks are skipping their morning skate prior to their game against the Senators in Ottawa.

Instead, the entire team will watch the Remembrance Day ceremony in downtown Ottawa -- one of the largest ceremonies in Canada.

Before the game, the Senators will host a special ceremony with several veterans and alumni taking part, including Tony Licari (a World War II veteran and who played for the Detroit Red Wings); Howard Riopelle (a former Montreal Canadien and World War II veteran); and Bombardier Karine Moreau and Capt. Pierre Maillet (Canadian Forces members).

The Canucks and Senators are among the NHL teams that are honoring the military in both countries this week.

* The Los Angeles Kings, who host the Dallas Stars, have a "Kings Seats for Soldiers" program that allows Kings tickets to be purchased and donated to Military Personnel and their families. So far, more than 1,000 tickets have already been purchased and donated to bases and charities including the USO, L.A. Air Force Base, Camp Pendleton, Blue Star Mothers and Operation Gratitude.
http://kings.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=542992

* The Detroit Red Wings, who host Edmonton, will be focusing on two programs for Military Appreciation Night: Blue Star Mothers of America & Cell Phones for Soldiers. Military members in attendance will be honored during the game, including guests in the Quicken Loans Budd Lynch Veterans Suite. http://redwings.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=542983

* The Washington Capitals "Capitals Courage Caps" initiative was launched on Nov. 6 but go on sale Nov. 11, the same night the Caps host Tampa Bay. The Courage Caps benefits “Our Military Kids” program provides grants to the children of deployed National Guard and Military Reserve personnel, as well as children of all Wounded Warriors. The grants pay for participation in activities such as sports. http://capitals.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=543054

* The Atlanta Thrashers, who host Minnesota, will recognize Veterans Day with a number of activities: Reps from the military hail from Dobbins Air Force Base, Robbins Air Force Base, and Fort Benning, and the colors will be presented by the 94th Airlift Wing Honor Guard.
http://bluelandblog.com/2010/11/09/military-appreciation-night-thursday/

* The St. Louis Blues will salute America's veterans and Armed Forces: Partner with Boeing and Operation Homefront for the Salute to Military Night. Volunteers at the Blues game against Nashville will collect items for care packages and cash donations before the game.
http://blues.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=34369

* The San Jose Sharks will observe a moment of silence before their game against the New York Islanders and have sold group packages for the game to benefit Operation Care and Comfort.

* The Nashville Predators will honor all military personnel, past and present, during every Monday night home game - Military Mondays - scheduled for Dec. 13 and Feb. 7. The players will wear special camouflage sweaters during warm-ups, which will be auctioned off that night. That money will go back to purchasing tickets for military personnel.
http://predators.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=535920

* The Colorado Avalanche will honor Vets at their next home game (Monday, Nov. 15): They will be hosting four servicemen from the Warrior Transition Unit at Fort Carson as part of their Seats for Soldiers Program.

* The Carolina Hurricanes will invite a World War II veteran to sound the "Hurricane Warning" Siren before tonight's game vs Philadelphia.

* The Boston Bruins are hosting Military Appreciation night with Seats for Soldiers program on Monday, Nov. 15.
http://bruins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=541942

* The New York Islanders will wear special camouflage jerseys during warm-ups on Saturday, November 20, before hosting the Florida Panthers as part of the Islanders Military Appreciation Day. Each player's game-worn jersey will be auctioned off with the proceeds benefiting the Islanders Children's Foundation. Veterans will be interviewed throughout the game on the video board.

There have been ceremonies earlier in the week as well.

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* On Nov. 9, the Tampa Bay Lightning hosted Military Night, designed to honor and reward the military for the work they do at home and abroad. It included a plaza display of military combat vehicles, a free concert for fans featuring musical guest Colt Clark and an opportunity for fans to write thank-you letters to be distributed to U.S. troops currently serving abroad.
http://lightning.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=543132

* On Nov, 10, the Anaheim Ducks hosted Military Appreciation Night at their game against the New York Islanders. The entire evening carried a military theme, honoring the men and women in uniform who have served. http://ducks.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=542893

* The Chicago Blackhawks wore special Veterans Day jerseys in warm-ups before their game against the Phoenix Coyotes as part of the Blackhawks/Boeing "Salute to the Military."   http://blackhawks.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=542820

* The Pittsburgh Penguins honored 12 local "Wounded Warriors" during their game against Boston at the Consol Energy Center as part of the team's salute to Veterans' Day.
http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=542962

* The Columbus Blue Jackets recognized the American Patriot Program award winner: Special recognition and award presentation to a combat wounded veteran of the United States Marine Corps [Greg Hughes].  The 338th U.S. Army Band entertained fans on the concourse prior to the Jackets' game against St. Louis at Nationwide Arena.
http://bluejackets.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=542564

* The Montreal Canadiens invited representatives of the Canadian Legion to present the colors during the national anthems and partake in a moment of silence to honor those who have served and those who have not returned from duty back on November 9 (vs. Vancouver),


Some teams that are on road trips will honor military personnel when they return home. The Phoenix Coyotes will be honoring veteran and current military staff as the Heroes of the Game during Saturday's game against St. Louis.