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<p>Hockey players are accustomed to celebrating holidays in their community through team functions and special events.</p><p>Sometimes, a player has a special connection with a particular event that brings about a feeling of pride and gratitude.</p><p>That&#8217;s what Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins defenseman Chad Ruhwedel will feel next weekend when the team recognizes Veterans Day with two events to honor those who served.</p><p>Ruhwedel&#8217;s father, John, is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, and growing up in a military family instilled that last today.</p><p>&#8220;Being in a military family turned me into the person I am today, which I&#8217;m very thankful for,&#8221; Ruhwedel said. &#8220;It was a blessing.&#8221;</p><p>The 26-year-old grew up in San Diego after his father was stationed in southern California near the end of his 24-year military career. Prior to that, the family moved frequently, which is common in the military, and lived in locales such as Hawaii and Reno, Nevada - where Ruhwedel was born.</p><p>Ruhwedel&#8217;s father retired from the military when he was young, so the family remained in San Diego. He said growing up in a military household didn&#8217;t necessarily mean rules were strict, but there were lessons that were taught and adhered to.</p><p>&#8220;There were certain values and respect issues that were non-negotiable,&#8221; Ruhwedel said. &#8220;We learned how important it was not to quit and about being a part of a team. It was a good environment for my sister and myself to grow up in.&#8221;</p><p>San Diego, oddly enough, also proved to be a good environment for Ruhwedel to hone his hockey career. He said Wayne Gretzky&#8217;s arrival to Los Angeles in 1988 fueled hockey participation in southern California, and the interest turned into a craze when the Anaheim Ducks in 2007 and the Kings in 2012 began winning Stanley Cups.</p><p>&#8220;San Diego is turning into, not really a hotbed of hockey, but a lot of players are coming out of there,&#8221; Ruhwedel said. &#8220;There were more teams in Los Angeles when I was growing up, so a lot of kids made the trip there several times a week. It was a solid two hours because of the traffic.&#8221;</p><p>Ruhwedel&#8217;s career has taken him to Massachusetts, Buffalo and Rochester, and at every stop he eagerly participated in any team function that recognized or helped veterans.</p><p>Next weekend he&#8217;ll do the same as a member of the Penguins.</p><p>&#8220;I do what I can and it means a lot to me because of my family background,&#8221; Ruhwedel said. &#8220;These events are pretty special in my eyes.&#8221;</p><p>Growing up in a military family not only gave Ruhwedel an appreciation for those who served, it also made him aware of the sacrifices many gave. He said his father has lost friends while they were serving in the military, and seeing that commitment has increased his appreciation for what veterans and active-duty military personnel do for the country.</p><p>&#8220;I was raised to appreciate that. The military wasn&#8217;t going to be my path, but it doesn&#8217;t mean I can&#8217;t stand up and say thanks,&#8221; Ruhwedel said. &#8220;Recognizing our veterans and active duty service members is something we should do every chance we get.&#8221;</p><p><strong>Pens to recognize military on Veterans Day</strong></p><p>The American Red Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania and the Penguins are teaming up this Veterans Day to help spread holiday cheer to military members this holiday season.</p><p>American Red Cross representatives will be on hand at the Penguins&#8217; home game on Veterans Day, Friday, Nov. 11 against the Toronto Marlies, where they will be inviting fans to participate in the Holidays for Heroes program, which enables Northeastern Pennsylvania residents to &#8220;Give Something That Means Something.&#8221;</p><p>Fans are encourage to stop by the Red Cross table behind Section 101 at Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza to sign special holiday greeting cards, which will then be distributed to service members and veterans in our area during the month of December.</p><p>&#8220;We can&#8217;t think of a better partner than the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins for our Holidays for Heroes program. Their commitment to not only the Red Cross, but also to honoring our military heroes ever year, shows how much they care about our community,&#8221; said Bill Goldsworthy, Executive Director for the American Red Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania. &#8220;And since the Penguins have the best fans in the league, we know the fan support will be second-to-none for this project on Veterans Day.&#8221;</p><p>Penguins players and club personnel will also be supporting the program by signing cards following the team&#8217;s practice on Wednesday at the Toyota SportsPlex.</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins defeseman Chad Ruhwedel (2) was raised by a father who served in the U.S. Marine Corps. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/web1_pensruhwedel02.jpg</photo0><caption0>Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins defeseman Chad Ruhwedel (2) was raised by a father who served in the U.S. Marine Corps. </caption0><photoCredit0>Pete G. Wilcox | Times Leader </photoCredit0></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/web1_pensruhwedel01.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Chad Ruhwedel (2) of the Penguins plays in an AHL hockey game on November 4th against Binghamton at the Mohegan Sun Arena. (Pete G. Wilcox|Times Leader)</div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo1>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/web1_pensruhwedel01.jpg</photo1><caption1>Chad Ruhwedel (2) of the Penguins plays in an AHL hockey game on November 4th against Binghamton at the Mohegan Sun Arena. (Pete G. Wilcox|Times Leader)</caption1><photoCredit1>Pete G. Wilcox | Times Leader </photoCredit1></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Tom Venesky</p><p>tvenesky@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><factboxMeta><p><strong>Fans can veterans </strong></p><p>In recognition of Veterans Day, the Penguins are teaming up with the Northeastern Pennsylvania Veterans Multicare Alliance (NEPA VMA) to help raise funds for the local non-profit agency.</p><p>Fans can purchase a special package for the Penguins game on Nov. 12 against the Providence Bruins through a special offer, which includes a ticket to the contest, a hot dog, chips and a soda for $19.25. For each package sold, the Penguins will donate $4 back to the NEPA VMA.</p><p>Tickets must be purchased through the Penguins ticket offices either in person at 40 Coal Street in Wilkes-Barre, or by phone at 570-208-5415. The offer is not available at the arena box office.</p><p>NEPA VMA is a non-profit all volunteer service organization of veterans dedicated to helping veterans and their families navigate through government and community based provider systems to obtain information, benefits, and services. They assist clients to develop a unique plan to meet individual and family needs, and work in collaboration with other community based service providers to help meet those objectives.</p><p>NEPA VMA provides free consultations to veterans and their family members, which include a comprehensive overview of support, benefits, and assistance in a variety of areas, including health care, education, employment, housing, and day-to-day living.</p></factboxMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Tom Venesky at 570-991-6395 or on Twitter @TLTomVenesky</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins defenseman Chad Ruhwedel proud to come from a military family