Military members lace up in annual Army vs. Navy hockey game

The Army vs Navy hockey game seen in Essex, Ont. on Feb. 16, 2025. (Robert Lothian/CTV News Windsor)

Canadian military members laced up their skates Sunday afternoon in the 5th annual Army vs Navy hockey game.

The friendly rivalry pits members of the HMCS (His Majesty’s Canadian Ship) Hunter naval reserves against local Canadian Armed Forces.

Despite several years of cancellations due to COVID-19, HMCS Hunter Petty Officer Adam Mitchell said the community has always showed up for the game.

“It’s the longest running military sports events here in Windsor-Essex County. We’ve been running it for a few years now It’s grown quite a few leaps and bounds since the first one,” Mitchell said ahead of the game.

The free event drew more than 200 people to the Essex Centre Sports Complex.

The game saw about 35 active military members hit the ice.

“So, the game itself, obviously there’s a healthy rivalry between the two elements. Sometimes it gets a little heated, but at the end of the day, we’re all one big family,” Mitchell said.

“So, we all come together after the game. We’re going to the Legion after the game and making sure that we’re intermingling, and we are all friends and all family when the final buzzer goes.”

In addition to the game, information booths on the work of both Army and Navy members were made available.

“It’s a good way to get everybody out to actually support active military members. Every single person that’s putting on a uniform today and playing in this game is an active military member here in Windsor, Essex County,” Mitchell noted.

While the game provided entertainment for fans, an appeal for food donations meant regardless of the game’s result, the local food banks won.