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Stories

How Hockey Is Giving Veterans a Second Chapter / Really OK Hockey / Las Vegas Warriors @ Able Baker

Nate Rosas, U.S. Army Veteran, Afghanistan, Really OK Hockey, tells their story to Vegas Veteran Voices, a Veteran-led nonprofit in Las Vegas.

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In this story
Nate Rosas, U.S. Army Veteran, Afghanistan, Really OK Hockey
Service branch
U.S. Army
Organization
Really OK Hockey, Las Vegas Warriors Veteran Hockey Club
Published
Running time
1 hour 7 minutes (1:07:13)
Production
Filmed in Las Vegas by Vegas Veteran Voices
Recorded before Vegas Veteran Voices became a nonprofit.

About this story

@reallyokhockey Nate Rosas : From Combat to Community on the Ice

In this special episode of Vegas Veteran Voices, we sit down with #Armyveteran Nate Rosas, a man whose life was shaped by Afghanistan, #Apache helicopter missions, the profound weight of Gold Star sacrifice, and ultimately healed by the power of hockey.

Really OK Hockey (ROKH) is more than just a podcast & #beerleague, it’s a Veteran-led hockey community where the game meets healing. Made by four Veterans, this crew dives into every angle of hockey, Veteran life, and the unique crossover of the two, with a special focus on Warrior #disabledveteran hockey. Whether it’s on the ice or in conversation, ROKH brings unfiltered authenticity, laughter, and the shared experience of service through a hockey lens

Where It Was Filmed:
• ABLE BAKER Brewing (1510 S Main St, Ste 120, Las Vegas, NV 89104) 
• Elev802 Vegas, part of the national ELEV802 hockey training network with advanced on-ice coaching and athlete development programs 

Deep Dive into the Episode
• Boots to Blades
Nate recounts navigating the traumatic return from war, relying on mashups of Apache air support memories and silent nights filled with isolation.
• Hockey as a Lifeline
Joining the Las Vegas Warriors, a Veteran-focused adaptive hockey team, gave him more than sport. It offered discipline, brotherhood, and a nonverbal way to process trauma.
• ABLE BAKER Brewing: Safe Haven
Against the backdrop of the brewery’s warm lighting and community buzz, Nate found a rare place to lower his guard and begin talking about his experiences.
• Elev802 Vegas: Rebuilding Purpose, One Drill at a Time
The rink became Nate’s therapy room. Through guided drills, coaching, and team practices, he rebuilt confidence and a sense of mission, without saying “therapy,” but feeling it every stride.
• From Isolation to Giving Back
Reconnected to life, Nate now mentors other Veterans, promotes mental wellness, and lets his story serve as a bridge, not just for himself, but for a community searching for healing.

Locations & Links

ABLE BAKER Brewing
• Address: 1510 S Main St, Ste #120, Las Vegas, NV 89104     
• Website: ablebakerbrewing.com a bustling Arts District taproom and scratch-kitchen, known for its Atomic Age-inspired beers like “Atomic Duck” and warm, inclusive atmosphere 

Elev802 Vegas
• Address: Las Vegas location (part of network); booking and training details through their national site 
• Website: 702hockey.com offering elite-level, year‑round hockey training, pop-up clinics, and performance coaching tailored to all ages and experience levels 

Las Vegas Warriors Veteran Hockey Club
• A Veteran-led adaptive hockey team focused on camaraderie, mental wellness, and athletic engagement. Find them on Facebook under “Las Vegas Warriors Veteran Hockey Club.” 

⸻

Stay Connected
• Support Local Veteran Sports: Contact Elev802 or join the Las Vegas Warriors to help shape how hockey becomes healing.

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