BOSTON, MASS. (November 2, 2026) — UMass Boston Men's Ice Hockey is inviting students, faculty, staff and residents from the Greater Boston communities to fill the Edward T. Barry Ice Rink for a special Military Appreciation Weekend, Nov. 13-14, combining two home hockey games with an opportunity to honor Veterans and support military families. Admission is free for both games.

The Beacons will open the weekend on Friday, Nov. 13, at 7:00 PM against New England College. A special guest will drop the puck at Friday night's game, Boston Police Commissioner Michael A. Cox. The Beacons will return to the ice Saturday, Nov. 14, at 4:00 PM to face Plymouth State University. Both games will be played at the Edward T. Barry Ice Rink in the Clark Athletic Center on the UMass Boston campus.

"Military families make sacrifices that often happen quietly and far from the spotlight, and it's important that we recognize and support them," Head Coach Peter Belisle said.

"I'm proud of our team for joining forces with Operation Shower and using this weekend as an opportunity to give back. Hockey gives us a platform to do something meaningful beyond the rink, and we're honored to help support an organization that makes a real difference for military families."

Military Appreciation Weekend activities will include Veteran recognition, special guest puck drop, chuck-a-puck, prize giveaways, an opportunity to meet Bobby the Beacon and more. Throughout the two-day event, volunteers from Operation Shower will collect donations to support the nonprofit organization and its work with military families.

Founded in 2007, Operation Shower hosts large-scale group baby showers for military families experiencing pregnancy during deployment or extended service separation. The organization has celebrated more than 10,000 military moms, providing families with essential baby items while creating an opportunity for connection, support and celebration during an important milestone that can otherwise be marked by separation.

Operation Shower's mission is to ease the stress of deployment by hosting joyful baby showers for military families across the country. Its events provide expectant military families with high-quality products for their babies while recognizing the sacrifices military members and their families make.
 
"Having our entire team involved makes it especially meaningful," UMass Boston captain Jack Mortson said. "We're proud to come together and support Operation Shower and the military families they serve. It's a chance for all of us to show our appreciation, contribute in a meaningful way and make this weekend about the families we're here to support."

Military Appreciation Weekend – Free admission

• Friday, Nov. 13, UMass Boston vs. New England College, 7 p.m.
• Saturday, Nov. 14, UMass Boston vs. Plymouth State University, 4 p.m.

Location: Edward T. Barry Ice Rink, Clark Athletic Center, University Drive North, Boston, MA 02125.

Fans are encouraged to arrive early, wear their UMass Boston gear and help fill the ice rink for a weekend dedicated to hockey, community and service. Stop by the Operation Shower table in the lobby of the Edward T. Barry Ice Rink to make a donation and learn more about the organization.

Can't attend the hockey games but still want to show your support? Consider making a direct donation to Operation Shower. Every contribution helps support military moms and families, https://operationshower.org/donate/

For more information about UMass Boston Men's Ice Hockey, visit https://beaconsathletics.com/sports/mens-ice-hockey

For more information about Operation Shower and its work supporting military families, visit https://operationshower.org/

About UMass Boston Men's Ice Hockey

UMass Boston Men's Ice Hockey is an NCAA Division III program representing the University of Massachusetts Boston. Led by Head Coach Peter Belisle, the Beacons compete in the Little East Conference and play their home games at the Edward T. Barry Ice Rink on the UMass Boston campus, 100 William T Morrissey Blvd, Boston, MA, 02125.

About Operation Shower

Operation Shower is a nonprofit organization dedicated to celebrating and supporting military families. Since its founding in 2007, the organization has provided baby showers for more than 10,000 military moms across the United States. Through large-scale group baby showers, Operation Shower provides expectant military families with essential products, community and a day of celebration while helping ease the stress of deployment and extended service separation.