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ABOUT THE UHL The United Heroes League actively works to ensure that children of military service members are afforded every opportunity to participate in sports. UHL has provided over $25 million worth of free sports equipment, game tickets, cash grants, sports camps and special experiences to military families. 21 J A N / F E B 2 0 2 4 | M H J ON L I N E . C O M Mossberg was able to join his son on the ice for the very first time. "The biggest thing now is we have a great resource to host more military family games, veteran hockey games and reg- ular military hockey clinics throughout the season," said Hudella. "That's something we've never really had before." With great fanfare, youth teams also played under the lights at Scheels Rink. Hudella wants the facility to be used by local communities and youth hockey associations as well. "We want to give youth teams that Winter Classic out- door experience," said Hudella. "It's a cool setting with a veteran monument, beautiful bluff and indoor quali- ty ice, we've seen ice rental requests and inquiries going bananas." As the sun set, Hudella ref lected with gratitude. The Rink of Dreams was finally a reality—and it could not have gone any better. No, it truly couldn't have come together any better. "This was the dream. Today was a tremendous day to cel- ebrate Veterans Day and the men and women that serve our country and their families and the military kids," conclud- ed Hudella. "The cherry on top was to bring in Hastings hockey this afternoon and integrate our community into our mission—bringing both the military and civilian com- munities together. Really just a great day all around." Jessi Pierce is a freelance writer in St. Paul, covering the Minnesota Wild for NHL.com and host of Bardown Beauties Podcast. Follow her on Twitter @jessi_pierce. "The biggest thing now is we have a great resource to host more veteran hockey games and regular military hockey clinics throughout the season. That's something we've never really had before." The Heroes Monument. On Veterans Day, U.S. servicemember Erik Mossberg skated with his son for the very first time at Scheels Rink.