Blue Jackets Partner with First Responders to Introduce 80 Kids to Hockey on Columbus’ East Side

Key Takeaways

The Columbus Blue Jackets hosted a free street hockey clinic at Blackburn Community Center, introducing around 80 kids to the sport

Members of the Columbus Division of Police and Division of Fire served as on-ice instructors alongside Blue Jackets staff

The clinic was delivered through the Blue Jackets’ GOAL program in association with Apex Pros, with each participant taking home a street hockey stick and ball

The event connected to the city’s Center Without Walls program, which serves youth ages 6-14 in areas without safe access to community centers

The collaboration linked four organizations: the Blue Jackets, Columbus police, Columbus fire and the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department

A Street Hockey Clinic Built on Cross-Sector Partnerships

On February 23, around 80 kids at the Blackburn Community Center on Columbus’ East Side picked up a hockey stick for the first time. The Blue Jackets’ Get Out And Learn! street hockey clinic paired six first responders from the city’s police and fire divisions with CBJ instructors to teach the basics: how to hold a stick, passing and shooting.

The clinic ran through the Blue Jackets’ GOAL program, a free initiative presented with Apex Pros that introduces young people to hockey through structured drills. Every participant left with a street hockey stick and ball.

Columbus Division of Police officer Trent Everhart, who has played hockey for more than 30 years, said the event reflected broader momentum in the market. “Columbus is a hockey city, and hockey has grown so much here, so to be able to come out here in the community and introduce hockey to all these kids is awesome,” he said.

Reaching Kids Through Center Without Walls

The clinic reached its audience through the Center Without Walls program, an initiative of the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department that serves kids ages 6-14 living in areas without a nearby community center or safe walking route to one. CWOW programming includes after-school activities, summer camps, in-school outreach and community pop-ups.

Alex Passas, recreation administrative manager in the youth development division of CRPD, said the partnership model is central to what the program tries to accomplish. “For many of our youth, opportunities like attending a professional sporting event simply wouldn’t happen otherwise. Introducing them to hockey in a region where it isn’t traditionally predominant adds an exciting layer of discovery,” he said.

A Model for Pro Team Community Engagement

The Blue Jackets clinic is a practical example of how professional sports franchises can extend grassroots programming by partnering with municipal agencies already embedded in underserved communities. By tapping into the CWOW infrastructure and first responder networks, the team reached kids who may not have encountered the sport through traditional youth hockey pipelines.

For youth sports operators and franchises looking to grow participation in non-traditional markets, the layered partnership approach, combining a pro team’s programming resources with municipal reach and trusted community figures, offers a replicable framework.

Source: BlueJackets.com, Jeff Svoboda, March 27, 2026

YSBR provides this content on an “as is” basis without any warranties, express or implied. We do not assume responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, legality, reliability, or use of the information, including any images, videos, or licenses associated with this article. For any concerns, including copyright issues or complaints, please contact YSBR directly.

Source: NHL.com/Blue Jackets, Jeff Svoboda, March 27, 2026

YSBR provides this content on an “as is” basis without any warranties, express or implied. We do not assume responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, legality, reliability, or use of the information, including any images, videos, or licenses associated with this article. For any concerns, including copyright issues or complaints, please contact YSBR directly.

Columbus Blue Jackets partner with police, fire and parks departments to introduce 80 kids to hockey through a street clinic on the city’s East Side.

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