#10 – Forward/Defence
In 2008, he deployed to Iraq as a firefighter and EMT in the United States Air Force. On the front lines, he treated wounded service members and combatants. The experiences he faced there — the lives he fought to save and the losses he witnessed — left a mark far deeper than any uniform could show.
When he returned home, the battle didn’t end. Anxiety, depression, and alcoholism became new enemies to confront, and the road forward was anything but easy. Today, he lives with a 100% total and permanent service‑connected disability — a reminder of the sacrifices he made and the weight he continues to carry.
But he’s still here. Still fighting. Still choosing to rise.
Stepping into the DAWG Nation Survivor Game isn’t just about hockey for him. It’s about reclaiming purpose, honoring those he served beside, and proving that even after the hardest chapters, there is strength, resilience, and hope in the next one.