Hockey in Tulsa is not only for pros, kids and beer-league regulars. Since 2023, a local nonprofit has used the sport to help veterans and people with disabilities find teammates, confidence and a reason to get back on the ice. This guide explains what the Tulsa Warriors Hockey Club is, how its veterans program and sled hockey team work and how to get involved, whether you want to play or support it.
Quick answer: The Tulsa Warriors Hockey Club is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports disabled veterans through recreational ice hockey, according to the club’s website. It welcomes disabled veterans, active-duty military, people with disabilities and first responders, and no prior hockey experience is required. The club also runs a sled hockey team, which a 2024 report from KJRH 2 News described as the first sled hockey team in Oklahoma.
The Tulsa Warriors Hockey Club at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Type | 501(c)(3) nonprofit |
| Founded | July 2023, by co-founder and president Donnie Buehrig |
| Who can join | Disabled veterans, active-duty military, people with disabilities and first responders |
| Experience needed | None; the club can help newcomers learn to skate |
| Programs | Warrior hockey for veterans and a sled hockey team |
| National program | Part of USA Hockey’s Warrior Hockey program |
How the Tulsa Warriors Hockey Club Started
According to KJRH, Buehrig started the Tulsa organization in July 2023 after his son benefited from a similar warrior hockey program elsewhere. What began with two people had grown to a co-ed group of about 70 veterans by November 2024. Buehrig described hockey to KJRH as “truly a team sport,” and the club’s mission focuses on healing, acceptance and camaraderie.
What Is Warrior Hockey?
Warrior hockey is a discipline within USA Hockey’s Disabled Hockey Section created for injured and disabled U.S. military veterans. Some participants played before their injuries, while many start for therapeutic reasons. To take part in USA Hockey’s warrior events, players need a discharge under honorable conditions and documentation from their branch of service, according to USA Hockey. The organization also holds two national events each season, the Warrior Classic and the Warrior National Championships.
In Tulsa, the Warriors travel to play other warrior teams in the region and host tournaments at home, according to the club. Its player development coordinator is a USA Hockey certified coach.
Sled Hockey in Tulsa
The Tulsa Warriors Hockey Club also runs a sled team, and it is open more broadly to people with disabilities, not only veterans, according to KJRH. Growing that team was one of the club’s main goals for 2025.
How sled hockey works
Sled hockey, also called para ice hockey, began in the early 1960s at a rehabilitation center in Stockholm, Sweden, according to USA Hockey. Players sit in a sled mounted on two skate blades. Each player uses two short sticks with metal picks on the butt end to push across the ice and a blade on the other end to handle the puck. Goalies wear picks sewn into their gloves so they can move.
Otherwise, the game follows standard ice hockey rules, so fans who know our hockey rules guide will recognize most of what they see. Sled hockey became a Paralympic sport at the 1994 Lillehammer Games, and the United States won its first Paralympic medal in the sport, a gold, in 2002 in Salt Lake City.
How to Get Involved With the Tulsa Warriors Hockey Club
If you want to play
Start by contacting the club through its website or social media pages. The website lists who the club is looking for and stresses that no experience is necessary. Because the club’s site does not list practice times, locations or costs, ask about those details directly. If you are new to skating, our guide to ice skating in Tulsa lists public sessions where you can practice.
If you want to help
According to the club, donations pay for ice time, equipment and travel to regional and national tournaments. Volunteers and sponsors are often just as important for small nonprofits, so reach out to ask what the team needs most.
Why Programs Like This Matter
Hockey is a demanding, social sport. For veterans and people with disabilities, a team can provide routine, exercise and a sense of belonging. That is why warrior and sled hockey programs have spread across the country, and why Tulsa’s version is worth knowing about.
The club is also part of a wider effort to make hockey more accessible in Tulsa. For example, the Tulsa Oilers Hockey Club Foundation runs a “Hockey is For Everyone” program for people of all backgrounds and abilities, as explained in our guide to the Oilers’ foundation programs.
The Bottom Line
The Tulsa Warriors Hockey Club gives veterans, first responders and people with disabilities a way to play hockey regardless of experience, and its sled team brings a Paralympic sport to Oklahoma. Contact the club for current schedules and requirements, and consider supporting it if you cannot play yourself.
Published Oct. 25, 2026. Details come from the Tulsa Warriors Hockey Club website, KJRH 2 News (Nov. 2024) and USA Hockey. Membership numbers and programs may have changed since those reports. Tulsa Hockey is not affiliated with the club.
