My name is Justin Eigenmann, and I am raising money to start/fund a disabled veterans hockey team called the Emerald Coast Warriors (Under the umbrella of Pensacola Warriors Inc.) The program is parented by the USA Hockey Warriors program.

In 2023, 6,398 veterans (a daily average of 17.5 former service members) have taken their own lives for one reason or another. Our goal is to help lower that number and do our part to try and bring that number to 0 through the sport of Hockey.

Sounds crazy, huh...? I have proof that this program works. I served in the USAF from 2002 to 2024. In 2018, while I was stationed at MEPS in Dallas, Texas as a tier 2 recruiter, I was having a rough time with life in general, life in the military, divorce, not having my kids, and just every little thing getting to me. That's when I joined the Dallas Warriors.

Even though I was still on Active Duty, they took me in, let me volunteer, let me help out where I could and eventually, I started playing. Playing for one team turned into playing for another military team, and eventually I was playing on three or four teams. That, along with the grace of God, helped me turn my life around. I recommend this program for any disabled veteran who misses that belonging they felt in the service. Even if you've never skated before, we can work with you.

We are raising startup funds for ice time, hockey equipment, uniforms, tournament expenses, insurance, and other costs required to get the team on the ice. Our goal is to make hockey accessible to veterans of every experience level, including those who have never played before. The Emerald Coast Warriors will be more than a recreation-league team. It will provide camaraderie, physical activity, community involvement, and continued connection after military service. Every donation will help us build the program from the ground up and give local veterans a team they can call their own.