Mayers feels at home returning to the Blues

Jamal Mayers has kept busy in his post-playing days.
The 15-year NHL veteran retired in 2013 and quickly adjusted to life after hockey, contributing to NHL Network before joining the Chicago Blackhawks in a dual broadcasting and community relations role.
But something was missing. Until now.
As Mayers returns to the St. Louis Blues, the place where he began his pro career, he has found the perfect fit with the organization as its Community & Youth Hockey Advisor.

"Being connected to something is important," Mayers said. "I don't know if I really felt that or needed that, if I'm being honest, prior to COVID but I figured it out it felt like during COVID. I was doing good work, but I wasn't connected to it. So now that I'm connected to it, it feels right. It's like the last piece almost."
Mayers spent parts of 10 seasons in St. Louis as a player. His wife is from the area and they always kept their house, even during his playing days with other teams. While he still travels occasionally for broadcasting commitments with Sportsnet, he now gets to spend more time here at home with his family.
Once Mayers and Blues President/CEO Chris Zimmerman started discussing a role in the organization, it didn't take long to formalize the position. Mayers joined the Blues' community relations department as an advisor for the 2021-22 season and, just like when he played, has become an integral part of the team.
"Jamal has been a tremendous asset to our efforts to reach into communities where our game has had limited exposure," Zimmerman said, "It's critical for young children of color to see role models like Jamal to help them begin to imagine a world of possibility fueled by their first exposure to hockey."

One of the programs that Mayers has been most involved with during his time with the team is
North City Blues
, which recently completed its first season. A free after-school program open to ages 4-10, North City Blues helps teach skating and hockey to kids from underserved communities who wouldn't otherwise have the chance.
"Hockey teaches you self-confidence, being selfless, hard work, perseverance," Mayers said, "all these qualities that any parent would want in their kids. And so if hockey could be that vehicle to connect kids to those values, that is a no-brainer for me."
The second year of the program began this week, and almost 100 kids are already signed up. Mayers hopes to see that number continue to grow each year, and his efforts are a big reason why it has achieved such rapid success.
"We are excited to welcome Jammer back to the team in a role that allows him to help grow the game and mentor the youth in our community," said Randy Girsch, Vice President/Executive Director of Blues for Kids. "We are fortunate to be able to apply his passion and experience as we work to create new opportunities that provide youth in St. Louis the ability to live choice-filled lives."
Added Mayers, "Representation matters. For parents to see someone like me who looks like them, for kids to see someone who looks like them, that's been there and done it, that's persevered, that's going to be honest with them and tell them that it wasn't always easy, that's going to be honest with them and tell them that they can do it, too."

But this is just the first step. Mayers knows the work doesn't stop there. More is needed to ensure kids continue their hockey journey, whether on the ice as a player or in the stands as a fan. And he and the Blues are ready to put in that work to help grow and evolve the sport.
"I think there's a real opportunity there for the game to grow and for everyone to feel part of it," Mayers said. "And that's going to be important as a demographic changes and the world changes around us. But I'm excited that it's a priority from the top down to be more inclusive and find ways to connect our community."
And the community is what it's all about. And it's what brought Mayers back to St. Louis.
"It's that connection that matters," Mayers said. "This is where I live. This is where I've chosen to be. So it just feels like I'm coming home."