Blue Jackets Hockey League Overview

The Blue Jackets Hockey League is a local, city-wide hockey program for boys and girls aged 5 to 14 years old. Committed to providing a world-class experience, our league follows the American Development Model and principles of long-term athlete development to help young athletes reach their full potential. Players benefit from the guidance of USA Hockey certified volunteer coaches and league development coaches.

Registration Information

Full Season/Fall Season Open Registration: June 4 - June 26

Full Season/Fall Season Late Registration (subject to $50 fee): July 17 - August 8

Winter Season Open Registration: August (Date TBD)

Costs

• 6U and 8U:
  • Full Season: $775
  • Fall Season: $450
  • Winter Season: $350
• 10U:
  • Full Season: $930
  • Fall Season: $550
  • Winter Season: $450
• 10U, 12U, and 14U:
  • Full Season: $930

A $150 deposit is due at registration, with payment plans available. Refunds or cancellations will incur a $75 charge after July 18, 2024 for Full Season and Fall Season players.

Season Schedule

Tentative Dates

• Fall Season: October 7 - December 15, 2024
• Winter Season: January 6 - February 23, 2025 (March 2 for 6U/8U)
• Break for Holidays: December 16, 2024 - January 5, 2025

Holiday Breaks (Optional extra programming to be announced later)

• October 11 - 13, 2024
• November 25 - December 1, 2024
• December 16 - January 5, 2025
• January 17 - 20, 2025
• February 14 - 16, 2025

Assessment Skates

Players will participate in assessment skates over 2 - 3 weeks prior to the season start, allowing league personnel to place them on the most appropriate teams based on age and skill.

• 6U/8U: September 29 - October 13
• 10U/12U/14U: September 16 - October 6

Ages

Players are placed in age classifications set by USA Hockey:

• 14U: 2010 and 2011 Birth Years
• 12U: 2012 and 2013 Birth Years
• 10U: 2014 and 2015 Birth Years
• 8U: 2016 and 2017 Birth Years
• 6U: 2018 and 2019 Birth Years

24-25_Age_Classification_Chart_Youth_and_Girls.pdf

Team Placement

After the assessment skates, players will be divided based on experience and the most age and developmentally appropriate teams.

• 12U and 14U: Two divisions split by experience; potential for all-girls teams
• 10U: Two divisions split by experience
• 6U/8U: Four groups split by birth year and previous experience

This is a change from last year and this will enable players to play against similar experienced players during games. During practice, there may be multiple groups/divisions during the practice ice slot. Players will be separated by experience level stations and/or by team.

At the 12U and 14U age classifications, we hope to make all girls teams. There will be a registration question where you can check if your girl child wants to play on a coed team or prefer an all-girls team. The all-girls team formations are subject to number of girls participating, rink location, volunteer coaching help, and experience level to place them on an all-girls team.

At 6U, 8U, and 10U, over the last two years we have shown success in having between 3 – 13 girls on a team. The research and our experience suggest that at these ages, providing coed experiences to all players is extremely important in their development.

TYPICAL WEEKLY SCHEDULE

10U, 12U, and 14U

• Average of 2 - 3 Ice Sessions per week
  • 2x Training Sessions per week
  • 1x Full Ice Game (approximately 14 - 18 per full season)
    • Games will be played throughout Central Ohio rinks.

6U and 8U

• 2 Ice Sessions per week
  • 1x Training Session
  • 1x GameDay (Modified Ice Game Play – i.e., cross ice, quarter ice, third ice, etc.)

PRE-REQUISITES

Completion of the CBJ Learn to Play Hockey Series (1, 2, and 3) and/or previous playing experience in the Blue Jackets Hockey League or a 10U/12U/14U house league or travel league. New 6U, 8U, and 10U players need to apply/provide documentation by emailing info@bluejacketshockeyleague.com.

2024- 25 USA Hockey Membership - USA Hockey Membership

Current CBJ Learn to Play Hockey 2 & 3 players will be communicated with by your rink Program Managers on how you will be able to enter the Fall and/or Winter Seasons. You can transition immediately into the Blue Jackets Hockey League when you graduate Hockey 3. You must register within the specific registration period.

REQUIRED GEAR

Players will receive one reversible Blue Jackets jersey with their name and number along with hockey socks per hockey year.

Players provide their own:

• Helmet with cage
• Gloves, elbow pads, shoulder pads, shin pads, jock/jill, hockey pants
• Hockey stick
• Hockey skates
• Neckguard

Goaltending Equipment will be provided by the Blue Jackets Hockey League at 6U and 8U. All players will have an opportunity to try goaltender at 6U and 8U. At 10U, 12U, and 14U, players will be able to rotate playing goalie depending on the amount of full-time goalie registered.

Rink Locations and Practice Schedules

Our programming will primarily be at Chiller Dublin, Chiller Easton, and Chiller North, with additional options across Central Ohio rinks. You have your choice of practice rink locations; we hope you choose the one closest to your home. However, you are free to choose whichever location works for your family.  Practice and Game options below are subject to change due. These are what we had in the past.

6U and 8U Practice Options:

• Monday or Tuesday at North
• Wednesday or Thursday at Dublin
• Thursday or Friday at Easton

6U and 8U Game Days

• Saturday at North
• Saturday or Sunday at Dublin
• Sunday at Easton

10U, 12U, and 14U Practice Options:

We will inform you of the potential practice days in mid-July after registration ends. We need to identify ice slots after we know the numbers at each rink and age group. You will have 2 practices per week at your rink choice.

10U, 12U, 14U Game Days

You will play approximately 1 full ice game per week. Games will occur at your home rink and all local Central Ohio rinks on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.

Between our Open Registration and Late Registration, we will have a quiet period to allow Blue Jackets Hockey League staff and The Chiller to finalize potential practice days for your player.

Additional Sessions and Development Programs

Opportunities for extra practice time are available through our Additional Sessions Enhancement Program, open for registration in late summer. These sessions will be separated by age, experience level, and skill focus (i.e., skating, shooting, passing, goaltending, etc.). Registration for these sessions will open in late summer.

Volunteer Opportunities

The league thrives on the dedication of volunteers, including coaches and team managers. SKATING ABILITY IS NOT NECESSARY. Volunteers impact the growth of young athletes and gain valuable experience. Opportunities for involvement come with benefits like discounts on season costs, USA Hockey certification reimbursements, and exclusive events at Nationwide Arena.

Benefits

• Impact the growth and development of young athletes.
• Gain experience and enhance leadership skills in a collaborative environment.
• Join a community dedicated to youth sports and development.
• Opportunities for personal growth and child participation in special programs.
• Eligibility for exclusive events at Nationwide Arena based on participation.

We want to know more about you, your experiences and how you want to help. Please sign up through the link below if you are interested in volunteering.

Potential Volunteer Roles

Volunteer Coaches (Team coaches)

• Lead team and work with other coaches to provide a safe and fun environment.
• Implement practice plans, manage the players during the game, set up off ice events, and provide a fun and engaging experience.
• Responsible to help strengthen friendships, camaraderie, and support life skills within their team and family members on and off the ice.
• Communicate with team and their family members. Set up off-ice events to further enhance team dynamics.

Team Managers

• Provide timely and effective written and verbal communication to team members and their families regarding schedule updates, league announcements, and other pertinent information.
• Support coaches with the organization and execution of off-ice events, including team gatherings, community activities, and end-of-season celebrations.
• Act as a liaison between the families and coaching staff, ensuring that all parties are informed and engaged throughout the season.
• Assist in the coordination of logistics for games and practices, ensuring that players and families have all necessary information for successful participation.

More information and signup

Coaches will receive 15% off season cost in the form of Blue Jackets Hockey League site credit for coaching after the season. Max of 2 coaches per team to receive the credit (if more coaches on a team, we will split the credit) Coaches will also receive reimbursements towards USA Hockey certifications. We will share how credits and reimbursements take place in greater detail at the volunteer meeting to start the season.

PLAYER'S DEVELOPMENT STAGES

FUNDAMENTALS

• Ages 6 - 8 Female
• Ages 6 - 9 Male

During this stage, participants will continue to refine fundamental movement skills (Agility, Balance, and Coordination) and begin to acquire basic/intermediate hockey skills (skating and puck control). Participants will learn basic game, and team concepts, plus, they will build important characteristics on and off the ice: teamwork, responsibility, and respect.

Read more on FUNdamentals Development Stage

LEARN TO TRAIN

• Ages 8 - 11 Female
• Ages 9 - 12 Male

At this stage, participants continue to develop movement abilities across multiple sports and in a wide variety of environments. In ice hockey, players continue to increase their attunement to the appropriate environmental cues that allow them greater movement adaptability and hockey sense.

In late specialization sports such as ice hockey, early specialization can be detrimental to later stages of development. Participants should develop a solid base in a variety of sports in each of the physical literacy environments (e.g., swimming, athletics, gymnastics & skiing/skating).

Read more on Learn to Train Development Stage

TRAIN TO TRAIN

• Ages 11 - 15 Female
• Ages 12 - 16 Male

The focus of this stage is to further develop sports specific skills, begin to introduce competition, and start to emphasize support training to continue development of speed, strength and stamina while maintaining flexibility.

Players should consolidate sport specific technical skills with an increased emphasis on hockey and a reduction in the number of other sports played. A continued emphasis is also placed on the development of individual and group tactics. Social and emotional considerations are addressed by emphasizing team building, group interaction and social activities.

Read more on Train to Train Development Stage

Read more on Long-Term Athlete Development and the stages of Development.

SCHOLARSHIPS NOW AVAILABLE

The Blue Jackets Hockey League will provide families with partial or full scholarships based on financial need. Please apply here - Scholarship Application

If you need help with registration or have additional questions, please contact info@bluejacketshockeyleague.com.