Daily Inspiration: Meet Jodi Brunjes

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jodi Brunjes.

Hi Jodi , thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
In 2018 my husband, Fort Collins Police Officer Adam Brunjes and I started the Blue Warriors hockey team, which played fundraising games against other first responder teams. In 2 years, we raised close to $100,000 for local non-profits and first responder families in need.

In 2022, we brought together the 8 First Responder and Veteran teams we knew to create a league. After the first year 4 new teams were added and by 2024 another 4 more teams joined. The league grew faster than expected so, starting in 2024, we embarked on our new chapter by creating the Brave Warriors Hockey League (BWHL). Today there are 17 first responder teams in the league representing agencies throughout Colorado and Wyoming. Created with the intent to further the already strong camaraderie among all First Responders and Veterans the BWHL also gives the players a healthy outlet to deal with their tolls of service. Knowing how strong the brotherhood and sisterhood of first responders are, we wanted to combine that with the strong fellowship that already exists within the hockey community. The BWHL also shows the community the human side of first responders and Veterans and helps them give back to the community in which they serve.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I would say the main struggle has always been making the league known so we are able to find sponsors to help us get the ball rolling to cover costs to put on even 1 series of games since our goal is to make this league as affordable to our players as possible. As well, due to a lot of our players doing shiftwork, they can’t always be available to play in each series so, the more people know about the league the more players we can attract to join, play and have fun! As well, advertising and selling tickets to our amazing events that we have been able to put on with The Colorado Eagles Alumni and Colorado Avalanche Alumni.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My husband Adam is a School Resource Officer with the FCPD at a Fort Collins HS and I am a substitute teacher in the Weld school district. Both of us are most proud of being able to be working within our local schools educating, connecting and helping kids in our communities through the schools and through hockey.

What makes you happy?
Being a hockey family and being able to give back to our community, First Responders, and Veterans through the love of Hockey.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.bravewarriorshockeyleague.com
• Instagram: @bravewarriorshockeyleague
• Facebook: @bravewarriorshockeyleague
• Other: Tik Tok – @bravewarriorshockey