Hockey for Heroes: Mooseheads and CFB Halifax Mark 20 years of Supporting Camp Hill Veterans
By Ryan Melanson
NEIL CLARKSON
When the puck drops at the annual Halifax Mooseheads DND Appreciation Night, the team is playing for more than points on the scoreboard.
The special Canadian Armed Forces-themed hockey event represents two decades of partnership between the Halifax Mooseheads organization and Personnel Support Programs (PSP) Halifax in support of the Camp Hill Veterans Memorial Building. Home to more than 100 veterans, including those who served during the Second World War and Korean War, Camp Hill exists as part of Halifax’s Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre (QEII). Since the inaugural DND Appreciation Night in 2004, nearly $300,000 has been raised for Camp Hill through raffles and auctions of game-worn jerseys, with those funds supporting initiatives that enhance the quality of life for the facility’s residents.
Heather White, Director of Veteran’s Services and Geriatrics at Camp Hill, emphasizes the transformative impact of the financial support. The funds have mainly been used toward the development and upkeep of the Camp Hill Veterans Memorial Garden, a private outdoor space described as a “sanctuary” for residents.
“At one time, this garden was a parking lot,” she says. It now serves as a peaceful getaway right in the facility’s backyard, offering veterans and their families a space to connect with nature and one another.
The garden features a Walk of Honour and cenotaph for quiet reflection, as well as versatile spaces that allow it to serve as an outdoor hub for games, social events, music, and other activities. The most recent addition to the Veterans Memorial Garden, completed in 2023 thanks to funds raised through the DND Appreciation Night raffles and auctions, is a multi-purpose activity pad for residents. The wheelchair-accessible, astro-turfed space quickly became a popular spot for outdoor bocce ball and has also served as a concert stage for the Stadacona Band and other performers.
“The proceeds from DND Appreciation Night have made many projects possible, and this wonderful new addition to our garden space simply wouldn’t be possible without that support,” White said.
Halifax Mooseheads President Brian Urquhart said the team’s relationship with the Canadian Armed Forces, and by extension Camp Hill, is truly valued in “Moose Country”. Beyond fundraising, the annual game is a standout moment of the season for fans and players alike.
“The energy of the night is often unmatched when it comes to regular season Mooseheads games,” he said.
“The crowd is always one of our biggest of the season and the atmosphere follows suit. It’s always a fun night.”
QEII FOUNDATION
The team’s bond with Camp Hill also extends beyond the rink. Both staff and players have visited multiple times to meet with residents and see firsthand the impact of their support. Urquhart fondly recalls bringing the Canadian Hockey League’s top prize, the Memorial Cup, during special visits in 2013, when the Mooseheads won the cup, and in 2019, when Halifax hosted the Memorial Cup tournament.
Though some Camp Hill veterans have attended DND Appreciation Night games in person, many cannot, making it all the more meaningful to bring the team, and the cup, to them.
“Those visits are highlights of the DND-Mooseheads partnership with Camp Hill that I will never forget,” he said.
The longevity of the initiative is a testament to the dedication of numerous individuals, including PSP and CFB Halifax teams, Camp Hill and QEII staff, and the many volunteers who help by selling jersey raffle tickets each year. Credit also goes to Mooseheads fans, including many from the defence community, who buy tickets to attend the games. During DND Appreciation Night, the stands are typically dotted with CAF uniforms and specially designed jerseys from previous years, proudly worn by past raffle and auction winners.
The custom Mooseheads jerseys have featured unique designs inspired by all three CAF elements and have often paid tribute to significant events or anniversaries. These include the Navy Centennial in 2010, the 50th anniversary of the HMCS Kootenay explosion in 2019, and most recently, the Royal Canadian Air Force’s 100th anniversary in 2024.
“These jerseys have really become a tradition for people, and it’s so special to attend the game each year and see those DND jerseys in the audience, worn by people who support this project,” says Missy Sonier, PSP Halifax Corporate Services Manager.
Sonier has been involved since day one and is credited as a driving force behind the event’s long-term success. The most recent edition, on November 9, 2024, marked 20 years of DND Appreciation Night, offering a chance to reflect.
CPL BRIAN LEVESQUE
“I’m in the position where I get to see this all come together and I’ve been so proud to see it continue to grow over the years,” Sonier said, though she was quick to pass on the accolades.
From former team owner Bobby Smith, who originally championed the idea, to the front office and the new ownership team at Simon Sports, who have continued the support, Sonier highlights the Halifax Mooseheads as the initiative’s cornerstone, enabling others to play their own key roles.
“This means so much for the Canadian Armed Forces community in Halifax, and none of this could have been possible without the support of the Mooseheads; it all trickles down from there.”
Planning for the 2025 edition of DND Appreciation Night is already underway. What began as a single fundraising event has evolved into a cherished tradition and a strong bond between the Halifax Mooseheads, the Canadian Armed Forces, and Camp Hill veterans.
