In this episode of Discover Lafayette, we shine a light on a unique community tucked away in South Louisiana: veterans who find healing, camaraderie, and fun on the ice rink.

Our guests, Eric Iorio and Danielle (“Dani”) Francis, share their inspiring journeys from military service to building a new mission at home — through Acadiana Veterans Hockey.

“I was born here in Lafayette, Louisiana. Graduated from Teurlings back in 2008, which seems like forever ago,” Eric begins. After joining the 101st Airborne in 2013 and deploying to Afghanistan, he recounts how life changed on July 28, 2013, when his base came under attack and he took two rounds from a sniper. “I always say it could have been a lot worse. I have all my digits,” he says humbly, remembering the buddy he lost that day. Eric was the recipient of the Purple Heart in honor of his service to our country and sustaining injuries due to enemy action.

For Dani, the path started in Illinois. “I actually went into the military right out of high school. I did a bunch of sports in high school and then didn’t know what I wanted to do,” she shares. Inspired by her older brother, she became a military police officer, serving in Guantanamo Bay and later alongside Joint Special Operations Command in Iraq where she was one of four females selected. “It was truly incredible because it was the sense of I was actually doing something with a purpose. There was a bigger purpose at the end of that mission.”

Both Eric and Dani’s stories highlight the resilience and discipline they built in uniform — and how they carried that into civilian life.

Now, they channel that same spirit into Acadiana Veterans Hockey — an open-arms, non-contact league for veterans of all ages and skill levels. “For us as an organization, being able to play hockey together is absolutely amazing, for physical reasons and mental health,” Eric explains. “If they didn’t have hockey here… they don’t know where they would be at this point.”

Dani laughs about how she was pulled onto the ice by Courtney Dugas, who along with her husband, Max, are active with the team: “I said, Courtney, I’ve never played hockey before. She goes, it’s okay, come on out. Next thing I knew, I was meeting her and the team at the rink on a Tuesday night and they were giving me all the gear.”

Eric also recounted how fun it is to play with his dad, Angelo (“Pops”) Iorio, who is retired from the Lafayette Police Department. “He is known as a Goon, someone that is like an enforcer. They go out and hit people on the ice. He’s not meaning to do it. He just can’t stop. So he uses other people to stop for him. We’ll have to let the other teams know, hey, he didn’t mean that, you know? It’s just he’s learning.”

More than just a game, Acadiana Veterans Hockey is a lifeline. The group connects veterans to resources, benefits, and — most importantly — each other. They help with VA ratings, build wheelchair ramps for local VFWs, and make sure no one feels alone. “We want everyone to feel included… call us at two, three in the morning if you’re having something wrong and someone’s going to be there,” says Eric.

But ice time and equipment aren’t free. The team welcomes local support — whether you can sponsor a practice, donate gear, or come cheer them on at their next scrimmage. “Hockey is very expensive, from just the ice alone to the gear involved,” Dani points out. “Any donation or sponsorship truly helps.”

Save the Date:
📅 June 28th, 10 a.m. — Acadiana Veterans Hockey vs. the A-Team
📍 Planet Ice, Johnston Street, Lafayette
Expect Robby’s famous jambalaya, a 50/50 raffle with a growing pot (drawing July 5th), and the warmest welcome from veterans who invite you to be part of their family on and off the ice. The event is free to all. As is the opportunity to go by and visit the team anytime they are playing and practicing.

Want to help or join?
No experience? No problem. “As long as you can get up, put your skates on, and get out there — that’s the hardest part,” Danielle smiles.

Acadiana Veterans Hockey is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization. Visit the team’s website at https://acadianaveteranshockey.com/, follow them on Facebook or Instagram, or come out and watch. Acadiana Veterans Hockey is more than a team — it’s a reminder that service never stops, and community makes it all worthwhile.