LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Henderson Silver Knights players helped train Las Vegas-area first responders ahead of the annual Guns N’ Hoses charity hockey game, set for Saturday, Feb. 28 at Lee’s Family Forum.
Silver Knights defenseman Brandon Hickey and assistant captain Mitch McLain ran an on-ice practice session for participating officers and firefighters earlier this month at America First Center.
“The guys look great. Yeah, they work hard. They’re having a good time,” Hickey said.
McLain said the session had a personal element for him as well.
“These guys were great. I’m sure I was a little rusty and didn’t explain things correctly a few times. And they just kind of jumped in and figured it out, helped each other out. And so, it was a really fun time,” McLain said.
McLain noted he recognized a familiar face among the participants.
“One of the guys on the team, on the fire team, Derek Selleff and I played junior together. We were line mates. So, really cool to come kind of out here and see him and coach him. And he’s still a really good player obviously out here,” McLain said.
For Hickey, the event carries personal significance.
“My dad was a firefighter for 35 years. His dad was a firefighter. My dad’s brother, my great-uncles. It runs in my family. My brother now, too, just got on the volunteer fire department in Nisku and back home,” Hickey said. “They put it all on the line every single day. Like, talk about pressure and pressure moments. And, you know, can’t get more pressure packed than what these guys go into, both police and fire. So, you know, everything that they do, they want to help people. And, you know, I have the utmost respect for them.”
Players participating in the game represent Las Vegas Metro Police, Henderson Police Department, Las Vegas Fire and Rescue, Clark County Fire Department and Boulder City Fire.
Matt Wilson, a firefighter medic with Las Vegas Fire and Rescue, said the organized practice stood out from the team’s usual sessions.
“We run our practices just like a beer league. So, to come out here and have something organized, it’s unique. And it’s good for the guys to get out and experience something that’s well organized by some professionals,” Wilson said.
LVMPD Patrol Officer Robert Anderson said the drills were a challenge.
“It was impressive to see all the guys complete those drills. Like I said, they pushed us, they definitely gave us some hard drills. After they white boarded it for us, threw it up, some of us looked at each other and were like, I don’t know what they said. And it was like, okay, just go to the back of the line and then go. But, no, everybody executed them to perfection, and it was very nice to see,” LVMPD Sgt. Ryan Evans said.
Mental health awareness drives the event’s mission
The game raises money and awareness for two charities: Sin City Fire and the Vegas Sentinels, both focused on mental health support for first responders.
“The two charities that we’re representing and raising money for, Sin City Fire, as well as the Vegas Sentinels, they focus solely on the mental health, not only for firefighters and police, but all of the first responders,” Anderson said. “When you come back in that locker room, when you’re on this ice, you look at these guys behind me right now, they all have a smile on their face. So that’s what it does for our mental health. It elevates it.”
Nigel Walton, a captain with Boulder City Fire Department, said the event aims to reduce stigma around mental health in the first responder community.
“We’re focusing on making sure that there’s no stigma with mental health and seeking help in the first responder community. Providing an outlet for people to get together and to communicate in a safe place away from work,” Walton said. “Being able to have this event and several others throughout the year, you know, allow us to target and reach first responders that aren’t just hockey fans.”
Evans said the event serves as a release from the demands of the job.
“We have such a stressful job, and we deal with so much that most people don’t understand or see. So, this is a release for us. We get this opportunity to come out here. We get to forget about all the negative that takes place and just have fun,” Evans said.
Despite the charitable focus, participants said the on-ice competition will be real.
“Oh, it’s going to be a great game. It’s going to be a lot of fun. It’s going to be some heavy hits. I already let them know, so it’ll be fun. It’ll be very entertaining,” Anderson said.
Evans said last year’s game included fights between the two sides.
“Last year we had a couple of them, and they were actually really good fights. So we’ll see what happens this year. It’s not because we dislike each other by no means, but sometimes the competition gets the best of you, and that’s a way to release that,” Evans said.
Wilson said the rivalry carries over from their work together on the streets.
“We work well together on the streets, obviously, day in and day out. We’re partners. But, you know, when it gets on the ice, it’s pretty heated,” Wilson said. “I’ll let the score speak for itself. But, you know, the last three years has been pretty interesting.”
Walton predicted a fire department victory.
“PD always puts up a good fight, but my money is on the fire guys. We’ve got some great players and some good chemistry and we’ve been putting in some work. So we’ll see what happens,” Walton said.
Event details
The 2026 Guns N’ Hoses Charity Game is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 28 at Lee’s Family Forum. Activities on the Tiltyard begin at 11 a.m., including games and police and fire vehicle displays outside the Stronghold. Puck drop is set for noon.
Additional activities are scheduled beginning at 2 p.m. The Henderson Silver Knights face the Colorado Eagles at 6 p.m.
The Guns N’ Hoses rivalry between Las Vegas-area police and fire began in 2003.
To learn more, visit the Guns vs Hoses Charity Hockey Classic website.
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