A native of Houston, Texas, Rob Torres has been involved in hockey his whole life. After playing roller hockey in fourth grade and switching to ice hockey shortly thereafter, Torres knew the first thing he wanted to do after getting out of the Army was play hockey. 

A U.S. Army 11C infantry mortar, Torres spent two tours deployed in Iraq where he suffered a traumatic brain injury. In addition to his head trauma, Torres now lives with several post-service disabilities, including post traumatic stress disorder and hearing loss. 

After returning to the United States, Torres learned about the Warrior discipline through the United Heroes League. He has been a part of Dallas Warriors Hockey for a year and a half, and participated in the Warrior Classic for the first time last year. 

“It’s been a life-changing experience,” Torres said, “It’s the most fulfilling hockey I’ve ever been a part of.”

“Getting to meet other veterans from other areas, we get together, relive the positives and help each other through the negatives.”

Torres, who works as a paramedic in Houston, explained how Warrior Hockey is more than just a hockey community, it’s a community of veterans who share similar experiences and support each other through the highs and lows.

“It’s a place we can all feel comfortable,” Torres said, “We’re our own community of Veterans which makes playing Warrior Hockey that much more important.”