Each year, Clarkson University proudly hosts a Volunteer First Responder Appreciation Game at a home Golden Knights hockey matchup, honoring the dedicated volunteer firefighters, EMTs, rescue squad members, and emergency responders from across St. Lawrence County. This special event welcomes 500–600 first responders and their families from the squads in our region, providing complimentary game tickets, concessions, family activities, and recognition for their service to our communities.

This year’s event will be Saturday December 13, 2025 for a very special patriotic game when the Clarkson Men’s DI Hockey Team takes on the United States National Development Team in Cheel Arena in Potsdam, NY at 2:00 pm that afternoon. This is the best of the best representing hockey talent committed to many different national universities and inclusive of NHL draft picks representing the USA.