Blues, Wells Fargo Advisors launch First Game Program

ST. LOUIS - Hockey memories are lifetime memories, and the Blues and Wells Fargo Advisors are creating those memories for kids in the St. Louis area through the First Game Program.

By working with different organizations across St. Louis, Blues for Kids and Wells Fargo Advisors are donating 500 tickets to give kids the opportunity to enjoy their first Blues game. Alongside receiving tickets to their first game, kids invited to the program receive a food voucher, a First Game Program T-shirt and certificate and a pregame Hockey 101 course taught by Blues radio play-by-play announcer Chris Kerber and color analyst Joey Vitale.
The first of five First Game Program nights was held on Feb. 12 when the Blues hosted the New Jersey Devils.
The afternoon began with the Hockey 101 course as kids were taught the basics of the game and learned some history about Enterprise Center and the St. Louis Blues. While the kids learned about the different positions and rules, they also learned hockey vocabulary, like "biscuit in the basket." After teaching his first course, Vitale was ecstatic to play a part in the kids' first game.

"Whenever you have a chance to work with kids, especially when they're so fresh to the game of hockey, it's so encouraging to see the excitement in their eyes and the smiles, especially for kids who potentially would have never gotten into the sport," Vitale said.
Now equipped with a basic understanding of hockey, and after a visit from Louie, the kids were escorted to their seats to enjoy their first Blues game! After grabbing snacks and settling in, the kids were eager to see the players, the action, and of course, the Olympia.
The excitement and the night culminated in an 8-3 win for the Blues, and for these young Blues fans, they went home happy and with memories that will last a lifetime.