No barriers can keep Charlie Cook from getting on the ice!
Charlie Cook had a stroke in utero and was given a zero percent chance of survival. Despite the longest of odds, Charlie has overcome every barrier placed in front him. On Hockey is for Everyone Night presented by Vorys in February, Charlie took the ice and stood with the Blue Jackets for the National Anthem.
Power Play Challenge presented by PNC
This healthy lifestyle initiative is a hockey-themed wellness curriculum designed to meet Ohio state standards for physical education and aims to keep children active while encouraging healthy choices. Assisting physical education teachers in the fight against child obesity, Power Play Challenge incorporates street hockey and incentive-based fitness challenges in physical education classes. The program, intended for students in grades 2-5, is offered at no cost to elementary schools.
47,000+ students took the challenge in 150 schools, representing eight Central Ohio School Districts
Get Out And Learn! (G.O.A.L!) powered by Performance Columbus
This grassroots initiative allows first-time participants (ages 5 to 8) to try hockey for free. Designed for boys and girls with no formal hockey or skating experience, these on-ice clinics are intended to remove barriers of entry to the sport. This past year, G.O.A.L! expanded to include all-girls sessions and a session for families with children that have developmental delays, physical disabilities and visual impairments.
520+ kids tried hockey for the first time
Learn To Play
Blue Jackets Learn to Play is an NHL/NHLPA-supported program designed to provide first-time hockey participants, ages 5-8, with free head-to-toe equipment and age-appropriate instruction led by former Blue Jacket Andrew Cassels.
Since 2017, 830+ kids have graduated from the program
Street Jackets Skills & Drills
Each season, the Blue Jackets donate street hockey equipment to local recreation centers and other community groups to grow the game and make it accessible to all. Instructional clinics, guidance on managing a local program, street hockey curriculum and an annual tournament complement the donation.
49 active Street Jackets sites, with 2,450 participants playing street hockey
Street Hockey in the Community
Year-round, the Columbus Blue Jackets visit local community facilities and organizations and execute no-cost street hockey clinics to introduce our game to kids in the Columbus community. Hockey To Go and Summer Takeover presented by Huntington work to remove barriers of entry to the game while offering an interactive program focused on hockey fundamentals, teamwork, respect and responsibility. This year, 4,380+ kids picked up a hockey stick, many for the first time.
High School Hockey Night
During this year’s High School Hockey Night, 35 Columbus-area high school hockey programs were awarded grants from the McConnell Education Foundation, which has provided more than $1.4 million in philanthropic support for high school hockey in greater Columbus over the past 20 years.
800+ high school players, coaches and families participated
Growth of Girls Hockey
The Columbus Blue Jackets continue to support the growth of girls hockey through a variety of events and activities, such as our girls only try hockey for free day and annual girls clinic. These programs have provided consistent year over year growth which has more than doubled the number of female hockey players in our market over the past 20 years. With now more than 325 local female players, the Columbus Blue Jackets are proud to support organizations like CCYHA Girls Hockey and Central Ohio Girls’ Hockey in their missions to provide female players more opportunities to play.
Central Ohio Girls’ Hockey
Central Ohio Girls’ Hockey (COGH) is dedicated to building a strong community of female players and providing focus and opportunities for girls to train and learn to play ice hockey in a fun, safe and developmental environment. The CBJ Foundation welcomed guests from COGH, a Worthington Industries Community Champion, to Nationwide Arena and presented a check for $3,000 for the continued support of engaging more central Ohio girls in the sport of hockey.
ADDITIONAL PARTNERS SUPPORTED
After-School All-Stars Ohio
Athens Youth Hockey Association (AYHA)
Capital Amateur Hockey Association (CAHA)
City of Westerville, Parks and Recreation Department
Columbus Chill Youth Hockey Association (CCYHA)
CCYHA Girls Hockey
CCYHA Special Hockey
Columbus Ice Hockey Club (CIHC)
Easton Youth Hockey Association (EYHA)
Gliding Stars
Newark Ice Hockey Association (NIHA)
Ohio AAA Blue Jackets
Ohio Sled Hockey
Simon Kenton Council, Boy Scouts of America
YMCA of Central Ohio