BRAINTREE – On a late August evening, a faint babble of trash talk can be heard coming from the Thayer Sports Center in Braintree. It’s coming from military veterans taking to the ice against some of the NHL’s best players in what has become known as the “Hold the Line Hockey Game.”

The encounter is the brainchild of Nik Tasiopoulous. The former Babson hockey player played on college ice with Trevor Hines. His brother Derrick Hines was killed in action after playing at West Point. The proceeds from the game will go to the Derrick Hines Fund.

“It just got bigger and bigger and became something cool for the kids,” said Tasiopoulous. “For police officers and veterans, it’s the highlight of every year. They get their family involved, the community involved. This year, there were 22 professionals and 22 veterans involved.”

Bruins center Charlie Coyle

One of those NHL players is Bruins center Charlie Coyle. He has been involved since the annual meeting was first introduced and is now helping to recruit more professionals.

“It’s always good to thank those who have given everything for us so that we can do what we love here,” Coyle said. “No amount of ‘thank yous’ can express to these guys and girls what they do and continue to do for us.”

Trash talk about the pros

Marine dog handler Brandon Cabey recruited several other Marines to attend the game, badmouthing the pros before they even got on the ice.

“Johnny Beecher has a little bit of bite in his game. I’ll have to see what’s going on with him,” Cabey said. “It’s a huge opportunity. It’s going to be a lot of fun. The guys have been excited about it for a couple of weeks.”

“I’m staying out of it because I’m not a good speaker,” Coyle said. “I’m just going to keep my head down, keep my mouth shut and score goals.”

“Whatever they want and whatever they say, we’re going to do it,” said Will Smith, a former Boston College star who was drafted by the San Jose Sharks. “We brought reinforcements, so it should be good.”