United Heroes League will open its doors to the community on Saturday, Nov. 15, inviting families to the Tradition Veterans Complex for a full day of hockey, celebration, and recognition of military service. The free event marks the grand opening of the newly renovated SCHEELS Rink, complete with upgraded locker rooms, improved stadium seating, and refreshed facilities that will serve military families, youth athletes, and the broader community.
The celebration features a mix of hockey games, tours, and family activities that highlight the organization’s mission. As described by Senior Vice President Edwin Adricula, military families face unique pressures that come with deployments, frequent relocations, long separations, and the weight placed on spouses who must manage daily life on their own. He noted that United Heroes League supports families through sports, mentorship, and shared experiences designed to reconnect families, strengthen relationships, and create moments that bring them closer despite the demands of service.
Gates open at 9:00 a.m. with locker room tours, followed by a 10:00 a.m. ribbon cutting. At 11:00 a.m., the rink hosts a military kids hockey clinic, offering young athletes a chance to build skills and confidence on the ice. The annual Veterans Game begins at 1:00 p.m., bringing service members together for a spirited afternoon matchup. Youth hockey takes center stage later in the day with games at 3:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. between teams from Hastings, New Prague, and Hopkins.
Food, drinks, and campus tours will be available throughout the event. Guests can enjoy hot dogs, burgers, chips, soda, and beer while learning more about the growing campus. Attendees are also encouraged to bring new or gently used sports gear that will help support military kids across the region.
For many residents, the event serves as a continuation of a tradition that has had growing community impact. Last year’s jamboree drew crowds for a day filled with hockey, food trucks, and a memorable groundbreaking ceremony for the expansion of the SCHEELS Rink. Despite a brief power outage, the night before and unusually warm weather for November, the United Heroes League team managed to deliver a full slate of games. The 2024 celebration also marked the start of construction on the locker room and seating upgrades that will support thousands of future visitors.
That project was unveiled by President Shane Hudella, who shared his excitement for four world class locker rooms, expanded restroom facilities, a Zamboni garage, and more than a thousand permanent seats. His vision for the complex extends far beyond the current improvements. Plans include indoor sports facilities, meeting spaces, equipment warehouses, and multiple outdoor turf surfaces that will support not only military families, but also youth, collegiate teams, and visitors from across the region.
Dakota County Veterans Services representatives often emphasize how events like these strengthen support networks for service members and their families. The county provides assistance with VA claims, benefit applications, education planning, housing support, and connections to health care and mental health resources. Community events offer another layer of support by bringing families together in an environment focused on appreciation and connection.
This year’s celebration also launches the countdown to the 20th Anniversary of Hockey Day Minnesota, which arrives on the UHL campus in 2026. The milestone will showcase Hastings while giving military families, youth athletes, and hockey fans from across the state a unique venue for one of Minnesota’s most beloved traditions.
As of Monday, November 10, Hudella had his eyes locked firmly on the weather forecast for the weekend.
“There is a fine line we have to walk regarding the ice,” said Hudella. “We need the weather to be a little colder to safely make ice.”
The forecast on Monday showed 60 and partly sunny, normally the perfect temp for an outdoor event. But in this instance, that is a little too warm for the chilling system to maintain a quality sheet of ice. The biggest concern is the subsurface. The concrete is not covered with water and “boom” you have ice. There is actually a complex painting and decorating process that takes place prior to the flooding of the rink.
One important piece this year is the addition of the Hockey Day Minnesota logos. Those logos are made in Canada on a permeable cloth, and if the ice gets too soft or thin, there is a risk of damaging the artwork. Decorating the subsurface is also an expensive process, so a decision will be made after press time regarding ice. If it is deemed too risky to flood the rink, the clinic for military kids will be turned into a dryland training session utilizing floor hockey equipment and the event will still take place.
The Veterans Day Jamboree remains free and open to everyone. Organizers encourage families to come to celebrate service, hockey, and community while experiencing the newest chapter in the Tradition Veterans Complex story. To support their mission, visit www.giveuhl.org.