Honoring the Legacy of Steve Hejna: A Founding Leader of Blues Warrior Hockey

From the very beginning, Blues Warrior Hockey has been about more than the game. It’s about service, brotherhood, and building a community where veterans can heal, grow, and compete together. Few people have embodied that mission more than our former Vice President, Steve Hejna.

Steve has been with us since day one, helping to build this organization from the ground up. His leadership, tireless work ethic, and passion for veterans’ hockey have left a lasting impact that will carry us forward for years to come.

Building Something From Nothing

The story of Blues Warrior Hockey began in an unlikely place: a casual gathering at a friend’s house. As Steve recalled in an interview,

“It just so happened that I was at Mike McKenna’s house with Nathan for a party. The conversation happened organically. ‘I might be interested in helping with something like that.’ And before long, I was offered VP of Hockey Ops.”

From those early conversations, the work began in earnest. The early days weren’t glamorous. With the world shut down during COVID, the first months were filled with Zoom calls and phone meetings. Steve helped shape the very foundation of who we are. He was setting schedules, running practices, building connections with other Warrior teams, and ensuring that hockey always remained at the heart of our mission.

As Treasurer Daniel Trower shared:

“As one of our founding fathers of the St. Louis Blues Warriors, Steve helped build something remarkable from the ground up to benefit our local disabled military veterans. His strong understanding of the business side of hockey, as well as his excellent leadership, communication and analytical skills, played a critical role in our success.”

A Legacy of “Firsts”

Much of what Blues Warrior Hockey is today can be traced back to Steve’s work. He was the operations side of the organization - the one behind the logistics, scheduling referees, setting up games, and making sure everything ran smoothly.

“A lot of firsts happened because of Steve’s efforts,” Alpha Captain Chris Mauk reflected. “The first Gateway Warrior Classic in 2022 happened in large part due to him. He was the first Alpha Captain. He even helped organize an anthem with the Blues after warm-ups at the Enterprise Center, it was short but such a powerful moment.”

Those “firsts” carried into the milestones Steve remembers most vividly: the team’s first tournament in Dallas, their first win, and becoming contenders at national events like Tulsa and the Hendrickson Tournament. Each step forward came with lessons, growth, and pride in what the players were building together.

Behind the Scenes Dedication

While fans and players saw the victories on the ice, Steve’s dedication behind the scenes often went unnoticed. Coach Don Harvey recalled,

“Steve has been there from the beginning. He worked harder than anyone, most of it behind the scenes. Often, he had to enforce the rules, and while that weighed heavy on him, he never backed down and never said no.”

It wasn’t just about keeping things running though, it was about setting a tone of professionalism, respect, and commitment that still defines Blues Warrior Hockey today.

More Than Hockey

Perhaps what makes Steve’s legacy most meaningful isn’t just the tournaments or the logistics, but the lives he’s impacted. He’s watched hundreds of veterans earn their Blues Warrior jersey, a moment he still calls sacred.

“I still get goosebumps when I see those pictures,” Steve shared. “Even after 5 years, I can see in their faces how much it means to them and how much that logo still means to me.”

President Greg Burian summed it up best:

“Just very grateful for all that he has done for me and for the organization. If it wasn’t for him, none of us would be here.”

Continuing the Mission

Though Steve is stepping away from his role as Vice President, his story with Blues Warrior Hockey is far from over. He’ll continue to play and will now lead as Tournament Director for the Gateway Warrior Classic, a tournament he’s been involved with since the beginning and hopes to make one of the best in the country.

And while leadership passes to the next generation, Steve remains confident in the future:

“Between Niko and Morgan, those two are going to work very well. They will take us to the next level in the next few years.”

Thank You, Steve

On behalf of the entire Blues Warrior Hockey family: thank you, Steve. Thank you for your vision, your commitment, and your sacrifices, both seen and unseen. You’ve built something that has saved lives, forged friendships, and created a legacy that will carry on for decades.