NC Warriors – Cross Creek Cats

Where are you originally from?
Newfoundland, Canada.

What made you decide to serve in the US Military?
I wanted to serve ever since I was a kid, it was my dream job.

What branch of the military did you serve in?
United States Marine Corps.

Why did you choose that branch?
Everything they stand for, the brotherhood, the drive to be the best of the best, the mentality of the USMC being ”earned, never given.”

Where were you stationed?
Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

Did you serve in OIF, OEF, or OND? If so, did you sustain any combat related injuries? If you feel comfortable, please tell me some of your experiences overseas, and any injuries you sustained.
OEF, 2012-2013, 3rd Bn 9th Marines, Combat Photographer, Southern Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

You are a member of the NC Warriors hockey team — how did you find the Warriors program? What encouraged you to join?
Word of mouth from a friend. I played hockey as a kid and was planning to get back into the sport once I was out of the Marines, once I heard about the NC Warriors I signed up immediately.

Have you always been a fan of hockey?
Yes, since I was born. Hockey is huge in Canada.

What is your favorite team?
I grew up watching and following the Hartford Whalers, Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens — once the Whalers became the Carolina Hurricanes I continued to follow them as well and they’re my favorite team.

Who is your favorite hockey player, and why?
99, Gretzky. No debate.

Did you play hockey before the NC Warriors?
Yes. I stopped playing around 14 years old when I moved to the United States.

You sustained a life altering accident 8 months ago. If you feel comfortable, tell me a little about the accident.
A man wasn’t paying attention and failed to yield to the right of way on-coming traffic (me) and hit me. It launched me off my motorcycle approximately 40 feet. My left foot was severed on impact and not reattachable. It also shattered my left femur clean in half and I also sustained a back fracture along with numerous scrapes, cuts and bruises.

You recently were able to get on the ice and skate for the first time on your prosthetic skate — how was that experience? It must have been a very emotional experience, how did you feel before, during, and after that first skate? I was there, you did amazing, and I was so proud of you!
Honestly, given everything from the accident that I’ve been having to go through, it was an amazing experience. It felt great to be back out on the ice, feel the coldness of it, the smells of the rink, the sounds of the sticks on ice, it was amazing. Before the skate, I was super nervous and worried I would be terrible and end up realizing I’d end up having to hang up my skates and never play again, but once I got out there it wasn’t so bad and although difficult and felt really weird skating on a prosthetic it just fueled my drive even more to get back to playing and putting in the effort to get back to my skill level pre-accident.

What are some of the things the team has done for you, to support you, and keep your morale up after the accident?
This team has done more for me than can be put into words. The brotherhood, the friendships I’ve formed, the instant “I can lend a hand with that, no problem” whenever something arises that I need help with. They’re more than just teammates to me… they’re family. The outpouring of support from them after my accident helped keep me going and keep my spirits up to want to get back out on the ice.

What are some things you hope to see in the future with the NC Warrior hockey team?
More members. We’re growing so fast and I love it. I love seeing how many veterans are taking an interest in wanting to learn how to play and grow the sport. No better sport exists.

How has being a part of this team affected you personally?
It has brought back a sense of brotherhood I thought I wouldn’t experience anymore since I left the Marines. It’s a great morale booster being able to be around people who have gone through similar experiences as you and be able to relate to it. From the stories to the jokes to the instant willingness to help one another without thinking twice, there’s nothing like it.

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.

Tag: NC Warriors

Interview with Robbie Walters

Interview with Donald Urbany