The men's hockey game will take place when they host UW-Stevens Point on Saturday, February 4, while the women's game will be played on Saturday, February 18 when they oppose St. Scholastica.  The men's game will get underway at 7:05 p.m. while the women's game will begin at 2:00 p.m.  The theme of the games is “Saluting those who serve.”

All active and retired military personnel will be admitted to the games free-of-charge with a valid military identification card (examples include a current ID from any service branch, retired military service or a membership card from any VFW or American Legion post).  All other ticket prices remain the same.

“We just feel that not enough is done to celebrate our veterans and what they do for us, so this is just our way of reaching out to them to say 'thank you' for all that they do,” UW-Superior athletics director Steve Nelson said.  “There are a number of veterans that work or attend classes on our campus and we look forward to hosting them and all military personnel at these games and recognizing them for the job that they've done and continue to do.”

As part of the event, the National Guard will be present with materials for people interested in military service.  There will be veterans performing the ceremonial puck drop prior to the games and military recognition throughout the games, further adding to the military theme.

The Yellowjackets will wear limited-edition camouflage jerseys bearing the Yellowjacket crest as well as the logo of the Wisconsin National Guard.  The jerseys will be auctioned off as part of a silent auction following the game.  People can bid on the jerseys throughout the game and the winning bidders will receive the game-worn jersey as well as an autographed photo of the player who wore it.

The Superior Jaycees will be selling merchandise created especially for the event.  In addition they will be accepting cash donations at their booth in the Wessman Arena lobby.

“The Superior Jaycees are honored to team with the Wisconsin National Guard and UW-Superior for this year's hockey fundraiser games,” said Shauna Porter, president of the Superior Jaycees.  “We hope to see the citizens of Superior come out to support the men and women who serve our country along with the Yellowjacket hockey teams.”

A portion of the proceeds will benefit Project New Hope, an organization recommended by the Duluth Vet Center that provides weekend retreats for veterans and their families.  More information about Project New Hope can be found online at projectnewhope.net.

Additionally the Jaycees will be conducting a 50/50 drawing with the proceeds going to “Hunger Takes No Holiday.”  Those tickets will be sold throughout the first two periods of the game.  This will be done in conjunction with the “Fill the Net” promotion, a season-long food drive that has been held to benefit the Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank.

“We only do one of these special events a year and it has become one of, if not the most anticipated game on the schedule,” Nelson said.  “We're excited to have the Jaycees and the National Guard partnering with us and we look forward to a pair of great days at Wessman Arena to honor those who do so much for us, a lot of times without any recognition.”

If you have questions regarding either of the military appreciation games, please contact Jon Garver with Yellowjacket Athletics at (715) 395-4614.