Our Story

On October 12, 2022, Sergeant Dustin DeMonte and Officer Alex Hamzy of the Bristol Police Department were killed in the line of duty during a senseless and evil ambush. Their families, friends, the public, and the first responder community were deeply saddened and affected by the loss of these two amazing men. While Dustin and Alex are no longer with us, their lives and legacies will always live on as it is all our responsibility to HONOR THEM.

In the early months of 2023, during a morning coffee break, a conversation about starting a hockey team surfaced. Although those who participated in the casual and somewhat humorous conversation were hockey fans, played unorganized pond hockey in their youth, and/or had children who played hockey – no one ever participated in a sanctioned hockey game.

What started as a casual conversation turned into recruiting campaign…how many people can we find at the Police Department would want to play hockey, and what positions would they play? One thing led to another and in short order, a handful of first-time skaters purchased their gear (or broke their antiquated gear out of the attic) and began watching YouTube videos. While many never played hockey before, or even ice skated in the past several decades – this idea piqued the interest of several lifelong hockey players. In a few short weeks, a small group of BPD officers of various ranks and assignments began weekly skating sessions at the Newington Ice Arena.

These sessions persisted through the summer months of 2023 and it became apparent that the interest in playing organized hockey was sustainable. By the end of the summer, a decision had to be made…are we really going to do this, or was this just another great idea fairy that landed on our shoulders and took off into the wind?

Emails were sent out to the Bristol Police Department to gauge interest and formal motions for financial support were made to the Bristol Police Department Union and Benevolent Association. Based on the level of interest, the Union and PBA approved motions to pay for a portion of the registration fees to register a team in the Tier 7 section of the Connecticut Hockey League.

The small, but growing group of prospective hockey players were now faced with selecting their team’s name, logo, and jersey colorways. In unanimous fashion, the team assumed the identity of HONOR THEM to pay tribute to their fallen brothers in an unconventional way. The logo was designed by a relative of a BPD Officer. The team colors were that of the Las Vegas Golden Knights – the 2022/2023 NHL Season Stanley Cup Champions.

Although there was a considerable amount of interest expressed by members of the BPD, the roster was lacking a handful of players that would make in-game substitutions and game-to-game depth feasible. The group managed to recruit a select cadre of players, including an officer from a nearby agency and friends, family, and supporters of BPD personnel.

The jerseys were ordered, the players selected their numbers, and the screen printing for the jerseys was coordinated. The registration was paid, and the roster was submitted to the CHL. This joke, and dream for some, was becoming a reality.

The HONOR THEM hockey team was scheduled to play their first game in September of 2023. The first game saw a minimal turnout for players and spectators, and resulted in a close loss, but by the final regular season game, there were approximately 15 players and 60 spectators present.

Although the HONOR THEM hockey Team suffered their fair share of losses during their inaugural regular season, they managed to land a playoff berth. As the team grew and the players began to find their place in the world of Tier 7 hockey, they found themselves in the championship game. In a game that will live on in the memory of all those playing and spectating, the HONOR THEM hockey team edged out a 3-0 victory in the Tier 7 CHL Championship game.

While the intent of starting this team was to simply have fun and play the coolest game on earth, the players benefited in unforeseeable ways beyond that of playing hockey and winning a championship. They were able to bond outside of work. They were able to leave the burdens of the badge and life at the doors to the rink. They engaged in vigorous physical activity. They communicated. They laughed. They built camaraderie. They tried something new. They failed. They succeeded. They found a purpose outside the mundane nature of everyday life. This team and this sport became a coping mechanism – a way to heal outside of conventional means. No one was looking for or expected these benefits; but they all felt and embraced them.

After the first season, the interest continued to grow. Since December of 2023, the HONOR THEM hockey team nearly doubled in size, allowing team entries into both Tier 6 and Tier 7 of the CHL.

The Tier 6 HONOR THEM hockey team secured another championship win in the 2024 Winter session of the CHL.

Following the success of the HONOR THEM hockey teams in the Fall 2023 and Winter 2024 season, the exponential growth of the club, and the support and interest of prospective players, their families, and general support from the public, members of the HONOR THEM hockey team decided to form a Non-Profit Organization.