PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) -- This weekend, the Flyers Warriors are hosting the 5th Annual USA Hockey Warrior Classic. It's a series of round-robin tournaments of all different levels of skill and ability, featuring teams from all over the country.
The Flyers Warriors are a group of wounded and disabled U.S. veterans who have come together through their camaraderie, shared experiences and love of hockey.
"Most of us have been in battles, for a lack of better term, before, so I expect it to be fierce competition," said Tim Wynn, a Northeast Philadelphia native and Marine Corps veteran who served in Iraq during the initial invasion in 2003.
"I expect it to be very fun. I expect it to be clean. And it's just going to be an overall great time. I think it's going to be the best veterans tournament that was ever put together."
The weekend's competition started Friday morning in New Jersey at the Philadelphia Flyers training center in Voorhees and the Hollydell Ice Arena in Sewell. Over 400 disabled veterans are participating. The Flyers Warriors are fielding three teams of different skill levels.
The weekend also includes the Salute To Service game on Friday at 4:45 p.m. between the Flyers Warriors and Colorado Warriors tier 1 squads. Flyers legends Mark Howe, John LeClair and Paul Holmgren will be part of the ceremonial puck drop at the Flyers Training Center.
"It's gonna be probably the biggest veterans tournament there's ever been," Wynn said. He is one of the captains of the Flyers Warriors and has been with them since their program began a couple of years ago.
The Flyers Warriors practice, play games, do community service and represent the Flyers organization that has connected them to resources including mental health treatment, nutritional programs and even babysitting services.
"It's a holistic approach they take," Wynn said. "It's all about the well-being of the veteran. And, you know, they prove that week in and week out. This program is absolutely unbelievable. … Our families are a lot better because of this program."
Former Flyers defenseman Brad Marsh -- who played with the very popular and successful '80s teams -- is a Flyers Warriors coach. Marsh says the bond the players feel in the locker room makes its way to the parking lot, too, for post-practice tailgates.
"We're using the game of hockey to improve lives, and not only the lives of the veterans that are involved on the ice, but we're improving the lives of their families," Marsh said. "And we've really come together. That was one of our goals, right from the get go: to build a competitive team that we can compete on the national level."
While there was no Warrior Classic last year because of the coronavirus pandemic, the Flyers Warriors brought home a championship from the 2019 competition in Las Vegas.
Marsh says he is enthusiastic for this year.
"The message I say to the players: We want three warrior teams represented in all three finals on Sunday morning. And that's the bottom line …. When we're on the ice practicing and we're in the dressing room getting ready for the game, the No. 1 goal is to win," Marsh said.
Wynn, a huge Flyers fan who grew up watching players like Marsh in the '80s, said this weekend's festivities will be a good time for everyone. Attendance is free.
"Come out, have a good time. Support your local veterans," Wynn said. "There's tons of stuff going on around the hockey, you know, sort of off to the sidelines. … See some NHL players. This is a positive, happy weekend for all of us, and we just welcome all of you to come out, share it with us."
Friday night's Salute To Service game will also feature a special moment prior to its start to honor fallen veterans. Warriors and fans will be holding up signs that read "I Play For ..." with the name of a veteran who died while serving.