The Wareham/Carver boys hockey team held their first annual Military Appreciation Night on Saturday, during which vets and active military could get in for free, and the team collected donations to send to troops stationed abroad.

The team also honored Tom Harrigan, a former Vikings Hockey player and current active military member who has served three tours overseas: once in Afghanistan, and twice in Iraq.

A member of the Wareham High School class of 2009, Harrigan is now a Sergeant in the army and a Black Hawk helicopter flight instructor.

Harrigan dropped a ceremonial first puck before the game against Nauset.

“It was awesome — one of the most fulfilling things to come back to do,” Harrigan said. 

He also spoke to the team and got them “all fired up” before the game, which the VIkings won 3-0.

“It’s good to be part of a tight knit group,” Harrigan said, looking back on his own time on the team. “We’re all here for the same thing. We’re all here to play.”

He said that the military has given him that same bond with a group, one that he says builds confidence and lasts forever. 

“I don’t get to be on the bench and play, but it is good to be here and to support them,” Harrigan said. He also gave the team some advice: Take the body, be bruisers, and bring the big checks.

“I think that veterans and the military deserve all the recognition,” said Coach Quirino DoCanto, who organized the event. He plans to send the items donated to those currently deployed overseas.

The team also wore special jerseys to honor the troops, which will be their home jerseys for the rest of the season.