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Getting started in hockey has never been easier or more convenient!

In Fall 2021, the Columbus Blue Jackets announce the return of Learn to Play in collaboration with the OhioHealth Chiller Ice Rinks to design a simplified hockey development pathway for boys and girls ages 10-and-under. All participants will begin with Learn to Play hockey classes. Once a child moves through the three-step Learn to Play, he or she will be ready to join an organized hockey league.

Learn To Play presented by Performance Columbus, in association with Moo Moo Express Car Wash, aims to deliver a positive experience with age-appropriate instruction and certified coaching, led by Blue Jackets Alum Andrew Cassels, in a fun and safe atmosphere.

Learning to play hockey is more than just learning a game. More than skating, passing and stickhandling, hockey is about responsibility, respect and teamwork. As children learn the skills needed to succeed on the ice, they also build and solidify important character traits needed to succeed off the ice. Click below for program highlights:

  • Three-step introductory program
  • Open to boys and girls between the ages of 4 to 10*
  • Receive head-to-toe equipment with first-time enrollment ($600 value)**
  • Family-friendly schedule with eight weeks of 45-minute classes
  • Eight-week sessions ($200) held year-round at select OhioHealth Chiller Ice Rink locations
  • With each registration receive one (1) free ticket to a 2021-22 regular season Blue Jackets home game

*Children who are currently or previously enrolled an organized hockey program are not eligible to participate in this program and will be removed if registered.
**Free equipment is provided with first-time enrollment only. Participants may repeat the program at the same fee but will not receive equipment.

BLUE JACKETS LEARN TO PLAY RINK LOCATIONS - SPRING & SUMMER 2020 SESSIONS - REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
Host Rink
Rink Address
Day
Dates/Time
Cost
Registration Link
OhioHealth Chiller Easton
3600 Chiller Ln, Columbus, OH 43219
Mondays
March 23 - April 27 
6:15 - 7:05 p.m.
 
$150
REGISTER HERE
OhioHealth Chiller
North
8144 Highfield Drive, Lewis Center, OH 43035
Saturdays
March 28 - May 2
9:00 - 9:50 a.m.
or
11:00 - 11:50 a.m.
$150
REGISTER HERE
OhioHealth Chiller
Easton
600 Chiller Ln, Columbus, OH 43219
Mondays
May 11 - June 22
6:15 - 7:05 p.m. 
no class Memorial Day (Monday, May 25)
$150
REGISTER HERE
OhioHealth Chiller
North
8144 Highfield Drive, Lewis Center, OH 43035
Saturdays
May 16 - June 20 
9:00 - 9:50 a.m.
or
11:00 - 11:50 a.m.
$150
REGISTER HERE
NTPRD Chiller
Springfield
301 W Main St, Springfield, OH 45504
Saturdays
May 30 - June 27
9:00 - 9:50 a.m.
$125 
five-week session
REGISTER HERE

 

The next sessions are tentatively scheduled for Spring/Summer 2019  

 

CLICK HERE TO BE NOTIFIED
LEARN MORE
Step 1 - Intro to Hockey Skating

Discover, Learn and Play! This introductory level allows new skaters with no prior skating experience to build confidence while learning to skate.

Step 2 - Advanced Hockey Skating

The Advanced Hockey Skating curriculum is designed to teach the fundamentals of hockey skating. Skaters will learn how to be more proficient and agile on the ice.

Step 3 - Hockey Skill Development

Once a child has sound skating fundamentals, this next step will help challenge and further develop each player as they prepare to play organized hockey.

HOW TO REGISTER

Ready to choose a class? See below for helpful tips on how to navigate the registration page! If you have any questions, please email learntoplay@bluejackets.com.

Step 1 - Home Screen
Step 2 - View Classes
Step 3 - Pick a Class
Step 4 - Login or Register
Step 5 - Register If You Haven't Yet
Step 6 - Pay

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn to Play is a program that provides a unique opportunity for families to join the hockey community and for participants to develop fundamental skills to help them succeed both on and off the ice. Created jointly by the National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA) and the National Hockey League (NHL). Learn to Play's goal is to inspire youth and welcome more families into the hockey community.

The value of learning to play hockey goes beyond skating and puck-handling skills. Its' greatest value is the role it plays in the development of character and life skills such as RESPONSIBILITY, RESPECT, INTEGRITY, PERSEVERANCE and TEAMWORK. Learn to Play is the start of a new experience, extending further than the ice. It's about falling down and getting up, making new friends from teammates and most of all creating fun memories that'll last a lifetime.

Learn to Play aims to be the gold standard for youth hockey programs by providing first-time participants free head-to-toe equipment, age-appropriate on-ice instruction, and certified coaching in a fun and safe atmosphere.

The program is offered to new, first-time participants (boys and girls) between the ages of 4 and 10. First-time participants are defined as those who have not previously been registered in a USA Hockey sanctioned youth hockey program (i.e. an organized league/playing on a team).

No. Learn to Play Hockey 1 will teach and develop beginner skating skills for your child.

The program fee for each 8-week session is $200 and all participants will receive:

  • Family-friendly schedule with 8 weeks of 45-minute classes held on consecutive days of the week.
  • Professional age-appropriate skating and hockey instruction.
  • Special appearances by Blue Jackets Alumni and Stinger.
  • One (1) free ticket to a 2021-22 regular season Blue Jackets home game.
  • CBJ giveaways and more!

Additionally, a complete set of new hockey equipment (yours to keep!) is included with your child's initial enrollment. Participants may repeat the program at the same fee but will not receive equipment.

Learn to Play is offered in 8-week sessions year-round with both weeknight and weekend classes held on consecutive days of the week. Below is a typical schedule, subject to change.

August session: August - October
October session: October - December
January session: January - March
March session: March - May
May session: May - July

To register for a session, visit https://www.thechiller.com/classes/hockey.cfm. Registration typically opens one month prior to the start of the session.

To get on the mailing list to be notified of when registration opens, click here.

 

A complete set of hockey equipment is required for Learn to Play. With your child's initial enrollment they will receive a new complete set of equipment, which includes: a helmet with cage, shoulder pads, elbow pads, hockey pants, shin guards, hockey skates, athletic supporter, hockey stick, jersey, socks, skate guards and an equipment bag.

Once you've registered your child, equipment ordering instructions will be included in your confirmation email. Equipment fitting will be done online only. Equipment will be shipped to each participant to the address provided. Please allow 7-10 days to receive equipment.

NOTE: If you sign up for your session of Learn to Play less than one-week prior to the start date then we cannot guarantee you will receive your equipment before the first class.

Yes. Learn to Play is open to both girls and boys between the ages of 4 and 10.

Yes, and we encourage you to! Your child may repeat the program until one of the following occurs. 1) Your child ages out of the program. 2) Your child is too advanced for the program pending an evaluation from an instructor.

No. Equipment is only included with your initial enrollment in the program.

Next step instructions are included in your confirmation email. If you did not receive your confirmation email please check your spam folder. If you are still unable to locate it, email learntoplay@bluejackets.com

You will be provided with an overview of next step programs prior to completing the Learn to Play Hockey 3 class.

CLICK HERE TO BE NOTIFIED OF UPCOMING SESSIONS
Free Equipment

Creating a safe environment for families to develop a love for hockey is integral to the Learn to Play program and the first step in doing so is providing all participants with properly fitted head-to-toe equipment with first-time enrollment ($600 value). With your child's initial enrollment they will receive a new complete set of equipment, which includes: a helmet with cage, shoulder pads, elbow pads, hockey pants, shin guards, hockey skates, athletic supporter, hockey stick, jersey, socks, skate guards and an equipment bag.

Part of a National Hockey League-wide initiative in partnership with the National Hockey League Players' Association and developed with the help of experts from USA Hockey and Hockey Canada, the Learn to Play initiative aims to be the gold standard for youth hockey programs with the goal of inspiring more families to join the hockey community.