Lightning Donate Thrown Hat-Trick Ball Caps to Veterans

Hats launched over the arena glass by passionate fans now belong to Bolts fans who served their country.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 10:07pm

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An abstract, energetic painting in neon colors depicting the chaotic motion and energy of a hockey player scoring a hat-trick, with hockey pucks and hats dissolving into vibrant splashes of color.The Lightning's donation of hat-trick ball caps to local veterans celebrates the team's passion for supporting the military community.Kalamazoo Today

The Tampa Bay Lightning have started a new program called 'Hat Tricks for Heroes' where they donate baseball caps thrown onto the ice after a player scores a hat-trick to veterans receiving care at the VA Tampa Healthcare System spinal cord injury (SCI) unit. The hats are collected, sanitized, and then gifted to the veterans, many of whom are passionate Lightning fans, during special events at the VA hospital.

Why it matters

This initiative allows the Lightning to recognize and support local veterans, providing them with a special memento from the team they love. It also gives the hats thrown by enthusiastic fans a meaningful second life after the on-ice celebrations.

The details

The donated hats are those thrown onto the ice at Benchmark International Arena following Lightning forward Anthony Cirelli's hat-trick in an April 2 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins. The hats are collected by the Lightning Ice Crew, sanitized by the nonprofit Support the Troops, and then gifted to veterans during special events at the VA hospital. Lightning alumni Mathieu Garon and Glen Metropolit were on hand to sign the hats and meet with the veterans.

  • On April 2, Anthony Cirelli scored a hat-trick for the Lightning.
  • On April 12, the first 'Hat Tricks for Heroes' event was held at the VA Tampa Healthcare System spinal cord injury (SCI) unit.

The players

Anthony Cirelli

A forward for the Tampa Bay Lightning who scored the hat-trick that led to the hats being donated.

Mathieu Garon

A former Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender who attended the 'Hat Tricks for Heroes' event to sign hats and meet with veterans.

Glen Metropolit

A former Tampa Bay Lightning forward who attended the 'Hat Tricks for Heroes' event to sign hats and meet with veterans.

Mark Van Trees

The executive director of Tampa nonprofit Support the Troops, who helped bring the 'Hat Tricks for Heroes' initiative to life.

Elizabeth Frazier

The Tampa Bay Lightning's executive vice president of community development and social impact.

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What they’re saying

“Oh boy, this is my dream. I watch the team all the time. They're really good guys, and I love them.”

— Harold Roche, U.S. Air Force Veteran

“This is the busiest VA in the country. They did 2 million visits last year. All of the polytrauma and spinal patients in the VA system come to Tampa. This is the center of excellence. They do the best care here for them, and we have a phenomenal response from them, and they're just good folks.”

— Mark Van Trees, Executive Director, Support the Troops

“The Lightning are by far the most passionate sponsors of the military. Jeff (Vinik)'s dad served in World War II, so they've been supporting the military for 15, 16 years now. It's just a natural extension for them to step up and support veterans.”

— Mark Van Trees, Executive Director, Support the Troops

What’s next

The Lightning will continue to donate hats thrown onto the ice after future hat-trick goals to the 'Hat Tricks for Heroes' program, providing more special mementos to veterans receiving care at the VA Tampa Healthcare System.

The takeaway

The Lightning's 'Hat Tricks for Heroes' initiative demonstrates the team's long-standing commitment to supporting the local military community, turning a celebratory on-ice moment into a meaningful gesture that uplifts veterans and showcases the organization's values.