In Memoriam (1984 – 2021)
On January 14, 2021 we lost someone very special, Warrant Officer John Wirka. John was a member of the 7th special forces group Green Berets, and was killed in a non-combat related incident in El Salvador.
While at Florida State, John was a member of the Ice Hockey team for five years, from 2003 to 2008, and served as Vice President for four of them. John was a leader on and off the ice. He was always willing to do whatever was asked of him, and on a number of occasions would play any position. John was a team guy and the team always came first. In his final year John helped lead the team to the team’s first ever Thrasher Cup.
John graduated in 2008 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, and shortly after graduating John realized that something was missing in his life, the feeling of being a part of a team. He told his family that he was going to enlist and become a green beret. And that’s exactly what he did.
John enlisted in the US Army in 2010 and within two years had completed his Special Forces Qualification Course and was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group. He was deployed multiple times including Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and the War on Terror. Johns Military education, awards and decorations were extensive, including a Bronze Star. John is survived by his wife Erica, and their daughter Audrey.
On April 10, 2021 the Alumni presented The Inaugural John Wirka Memorial Award to Mason Coletta, a graduating Senior on the current FSU Hockey Team. This award will be presented each year to a graduating Senior or Grad Student from the team that embodies the qualities of Leadership, Commitment and Sacrifice to the organization.
Florida State Ice Hockey Alumni 