Today we’re interviewing 38-year-old Donald Urbany. He lives in Mebane, North Carolina with his wife and 4 boys. Donald is an avid hockey fan and player. He currently plays with the NC Warriors and Huge Dekes Hockey team. Donald is a combat-wounded veteran who lost his right eye in Iraq as result of a car bomb attack. He overcomes the ability to only see out of one eye when he puts on his goalie helmet and steps out on the ice and stops the pucks that come flying at him from all sides of the ice.
How long have you been playing hockey?
25 years.
What sparked your interest in hockey?
The Red Wings were starting to come out of the Dead Wings era of the ’70s and ’80s and all of us kids wanted to learn to play.
What was the first hockey team you played on?
My first team was a roller hockey team named the Roller Wings.
Did you play any other sport? Why did or didn’t you pursue that sport if you did?
Baseball was my first sport and I played both for a long time but the intensity of hockey kept my love for it more than baseball.
Why did you choose the position of goaltender?
As a child all of my friends loved playing street hockey and no one wanted to be the goalie as they were scared of the tennis ball we were using and since I played baseball I chose to play and I never looked back.
What types of experiences have you had through the years of playing hockey?
I have met famous hockey players like Alex Ovechkin, Olaf Kölzig, and many members of the Washington Capitals. I have played many tournaments in other states like Philadelphia and Nevada, so I have had the opportunity to travel more than I ever had before.
What was your first Warrior experience?
I started the original USA Warriors at Walter Reed in 2005. A couple of guys and I would have ice time donated to us at a local ice rink in Washington DC. We would just skate around and pass the puck. Various local teams would donate equipment to us, and eventually more people joined us, creating the team. We played against some local teams in the Washington DC area.
How long were you with that Warrior team?
I did some things with the USA Warriors through the years after I left Washington DC, but for the most part, I wasn’t officially part of the team anymore after I left. I was with them for about 3 years.
After that experience, what did you do to keep hockey an active part of your life?
I would join and play for any team that was looking for a goalie. I stayed on a local Hillsborough team for some time, we were called the Tropical Depressions.
How and when did you find the NC Warriors hockey team?
I am one of the first members of the team as Travis Harris had made a post on a local hockey page looking for veterans to start a Warriors hockey team.
What’s your jersey number, does it have any significance?
My number is now 29 — I used to be 30 after one of my favorite players, Chris Osgood. I wore that number because of Osgood and my birthday is the 30th of September, but after I had my 2nd child I changed to 29 as my first child was born on the 29th of April and the 2nd kid was born on 10-19 so I wanted to change my number to honor my children.
Are you involved in any of the other teams?
I play for the Huge Dekes. I was just recently invited to play goalie for this team by Alex Kirchhoff, who is also on the NC Warrior team.
Is your family actively involved and supportive of you playing hockey and your hockey teams?
Yes, very. My wife and children come to every event possible. Whether just a practice or a game my wife is handling them in the stands and trying to watch me engage in my passion.
If they can’t make it my wife stays home with them even though it can be hard on her. She is a stay-at-home mom and is not only my caregiver — she cares for them almost around the clock. She hardly has time for herself and tries to be very understanding.
Do you use hockey as a form of therapy?
I mainly use it as a bonding experience, until the NC Warriors were formed, I didn’t have any military peers to interact with.
Who is your all-time favorite hockey player, and why?
I don’t really have a favorite player. I love the game so much I enjoy watching anyone, as long they don’t play for the Montreal Canadians.
Anything else you would like to add?
I enjoy every moment I am with the NC Warriors on and off the ice. We have developed a great family platform and hope it never ends.