Mayers giving back to community as Blues youth hockey adviser

ST. LOUIS --Jamal Mayers got his start in the NHL with the St. Louis Blues. He's hoping to give back in his new role of community youth hockey adviser.

The first project involves the North City Blues, which provides a free after-school program and the opportunity to learn to play ice hockey for students enrolled in the Knowledge is Power Program schools and/or Friendly Temple.
The KIPP program is a national network of free, open-enrollment, college-preparatory public schools dedicated to preparing students in underserved communities for success in college and life.
"I'm excited what the Blues have going on in regard to the community," Mayers told the Blues website, "and you think about what they've done, they're very intentional about getting out in the community, and I'm so excited about the North City Blues program. As the community and youth hockey adviser, it's been my duty to help amplify some of these programs, and this one is really special."

The program and newest Blues hockey initiative was put together in December and kids ages 4-10 experienced their first practice at Enterprise Center on Feb. 9 and were joined on the ice by Mayers, who played 10 (1996-2008) of his 15 NHL seasons as a forward for the Blues.
Joining Mayers were Blues chairman Tom Stillman, president and CEO Chris Zimmerman and captain Ryan O'Reilly.
"[It's] such a great program, and I'm excited to be able to come out and hopefully be part of it more and more in the future," O'Reilly said. "It's amazing to see and it's great for the growth of the game."
Students can learn the game and develop leadership traits and essential life skills through the core values of the sport such as teamwork, commitment, and perseverance. Weekly practices have been held.

"Partnering with KIPP Schools and Friendly Temple, 60 kids have already participated in the learn-to-skate program have now graduated into the learn-to-play program," Mayers said. "There's a waiting list now, and that's so exciting.
"What it does is gives kids an opportunity to try something new. A lot of them were very scared, very nervous on learning how to skate. What I've found is over time, they can try things that are very new. They can get out there and meet new friends and they can certainly be a part of the Blues family. That's exactly what the Blues have done and we're very fortunate in that this organization has really become committed to getting out there in the community and giving these kids an unbelievable experience. To think that they're on the ice that the Blues actually play on has been remarkable."
Photos: St. Louis Blues