The National Hockey League has organized a league-wide street hockey program, NHL Street, to serve local community centers by providing an athletic and educational program free of charge. During the 2000-01 hockey season, in partnership with the NHL, the Columbus Blue Jackets launched Street Jackets, an exciting street hockey program for youth-based facilities. Today Street Jackets continues to serve more than 50 locations throughout central Ohio.
The Street Jackets program aims to provide a safe and fun hockey program for boys and girls ages 6 to 14 - all a kid needs to play hockey is a pair of sneakers! Official Street Jackets Centers have the opportunity to receive the following at no cost from the Blue Jackets:
Additionally, Official Street Jackets Center participants will have the opportunity to attend a Blue Jackets game, receive an invitation to the annual Street Jackets Tournament, meet special guests from the Blue Jackets organization, giveaways and more!
Participating in Street Jackets gives youth the opportunity to stay active, develop life skills, and continue to play the game in communities throughout central Ohio. We invite central Ohio youth-based community centers to become a part of the Street Jackets program.
If your community center is interested in joining Street Jackets as an Official Street Jackets Center, please view our welcome letter or contact Joe Renza at (614) 246-6353.
Launched in 2000 and in partnership with the National Hockey League and NHL Street, the Columbus Blue Jackets present Street Jackets, an exciting street hockey program for central Ohio boys and girls ages 6-14. Street Jackets removes barriers associated with playing the sport, providing community centers with an athletic and educational program free of charge.
Street hockey is a variation of ice hockey that can be played year-round. All a child needs to play is a pair of sneakers! Gymnasium surfaces are great options for indoors, while blacktop surfaces provide a safe outdoor experience.
The goal of Street Jackets is to provide kids with an introduction to the game of hockey at no cost. Participants will learn the fundamentals of the sport while being exposed to the importance of physical fitness, sportsmanship, education, and - above all - having fun! The Blue Jackets provide each participating site with street hockey sticks, balls, nets, protective goalie equipment, as well as start-up instructions to your staff/administration.
Street Jackets enables community centers the opportunity to expand their recreational programs and provide kids with the opportunity to learn a new sport and be active. The Blue Jackets are seeking community centers to incorporate Street Jackets into their after-school and year-round programming. To assist us in this process, we ask that you provide us with some essential information about your center by completing an application with your interest to become an Official Street Jackets Center.
With an imprint in more than 50 community centers, we are confident Street Jackets would be a great addition to your center's youth activities. We look forward to working with your center, and can't wait to welcome you as our newest Official Street Jackets Center!