PANTHERS WARRIORS

Empowering Disabled U.S. Military Veterans through the Sport of Hockey,
a Brotherhood that Never Ends

Healing Through Hockey

MISSION &
IMPACT

The Panthers Warriors Hockey Program is dedicated to injured and disabled US Military Veterans who have served our country and play the sport of hockey. As one of the USA Hockey Disabled Hockey Section’s newest disciplines, the Warrior Hockey Discipline is growing across the country.

Since our beginning in 2019, our program provides a safe and welcoming outlet for disabled servicemen and servicewomen to connect with one another, challenge themselves and each other, and remind them that there is still nothing they can’t do. Through our program, Veterans are able to join our team as a way to connect, bond, and use this experience as a recreational and therapeutic way to help manage stresses from their military experiences.

All Veterans are Welcome to join our program. We will participate in 2 Warrior Hockey Tournaments each year

To be eligible to compete in the Warrior Hockey Discipline, participants must be or have been Veterans and Members of the Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard), with former Members required to have been discharged under honorable or general conditions.

The Panthers Warriors Hockey Program is a 501(c)(3) public charity (Panthers Warriors, Inc.) and is a registered member of USA Hockey, SAHOF and sub-licensee of the NHL Florida Panthers!

MISSION &
IMPACT

THE LEGACY OF GABRIEL “GABE” ROBERT ACCARDI

The Legacy that Started
Panthers Warriors Hockey

Built on Brotherhood. Driven by Legacy.

In 2018, a chance meeting at a Pompano Beach ice rink sparked a life-changing mission.

Gabe—a US Navy SEAL Team 10 Plankowner, national champion goalie, and quiet leader—saw a critical void facing South Florida's military veterans. The transition to civilian life often leaves returning heroes struggling with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI), and the sudden loss of military structure and camaraderie.

Gabe knew the ice could heal. Alongside fellow veteran Nick Butterworth, he set out to build a USA Hockey Warrior Program in South Florida—a dedicated space where disabled veterans could find recreational therapy, renewed purpose, and the irreplaceable bond of a team.

Pitching the Vision

To make the dream a reality, Gabe and his team set their sights on the ultimate local partner: the Florida Panthers. Aligning with the organization's strong commitment to "Heroes Among Us," they submitted applications for official sanctioning and grant funding through SAHOF (USA Hockey's Florida affiliate) and the Florida Panthers Community Champions Foundation.

On September 4, 2019, the breakthrough arrived. SAHOF officially accepted the team, and the Florida Panthers Foundation approved the grant funding to launch the Panthers Warriors Hockey Program.

A Heartbreaking Loss & An Unbreakable Promise

That very same morning, tragedy struck. Gabe passed away before hearing the news that his mission had been accomplished.

Grief-stricken but resolute, the team vowed to honor Gabe’s memory the only way he would have wanted: by drying their tears, lacing up their skates, and carrying the mission forward.

Champions from Day One

Rallying behind Nick Butterworth’s deep veteran connections, the newly formed Panthers Warriors charged ahead to the 2019 USA Hockey Warrior Classic in Las Vegas. Playing with Gabe’s legacy in their hearts, they didn't just compete in their debut tournament—they brought home the Championship title.

Today, the Panthers Warriors Hockey Program continues to offer local veterans a locker room to belong to and a brotherhood on the ice. Every save, every pass, and every game is played in honor of the founder who started it all.

Proudly Backed by the Florida Panthers

More Than a Namesake: An Official Partnership

The connection between the Panthers Warriors and the NHL’s Florida Panthers goes far beyond sharing a logo. As an official sub-licensee of the Florida Panthers Hockey Club, the program represents the NHL franchise on and off the ice, proudly wearing the iconic crest into competition across the nation.

Through the unwavering support of the Florida Panthers Foundation—which holds military and veteran advocacy as one of its primary philanthropic pillars—the Panthers Warriors program receives vital grant funding, operational resources, and community visibility.

How the Florida Panthers Stand Behind Our Veterans

Home Ice Advantage: Our players train and bond at the Florida Panthers Ice Den, giving veterans access to premier ice facilities.
Direct Grant Support: Funding from the Florida Panthers Foundation helps absorb the costs of equipment, ice time, and tournament travel so veterans can participate without financial burden.
"Heroes Among Us" Alignment: Built on the Panthers' long-standing mission to honor service members, our team serves as an active extension of that promise—advocating for veteran wellness and PTSD recovery through adaptive sports.
NHL Platform & Visibility: From game-night recognitions at Amerant Bank Arena to community events across South Florida, the Panthers organization raises awareness for disabled veteran hockey and honors our players' service.

Together, the Florida Panthers and Panthers Warriors demonstrate that when an NHL team invests in its local military community, the impact reaches far beyond the scoreboard—it builds community, restores purpose, and saves lives.