Blue Jackets' Learn to Play program honors Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — When students in the Blue Jackets' Learn to Play program returned to the ice this fall to start a new season of hockey instruction, they were included in the teams' commemoration of forward Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew Gaudreau who died this summer when a drunk driver struck them as they were biking on a New Jersey road.
In LTP's welcome letter for the autumn session, the children learned they would receive a helmet sticker displaying the name “Gaudreau” and both brothers' jersey numbers. This is the same decal worn this season on the helmets of Blue Jackets players.
The program, created by the National Hockey League Players' Association and the league, aims to be the “gold standard” for youth hockey programs.
According to the LTP website, the organization seeks to inspire girls and boys ages 4 to 10 to play hockey and learn key life lessons like “responsibility, respect and teamwork.” Designed to spark an enduring love for the game, it offers instruction in a “safe, encouraging environment.” Children receive eight weeks of 45-minute classes, allowing them to ease into the sport at Chiller Ice Rink locations in central Ohio.
One of the standout features of the LTP program is its commitment to affordability and accessibility. First-time enrollees receive a complete set of equipment, valued at $600, at no additional cost. This set includes everything from a helmet and pads to a hockey stick and skates, making the initial leap into the sport financially and logistically easier for families. Participants also receive a ticket to a Blue Jackets home game.
Learn to Play program highlights
• Three-step introductory program
• Open to boys and girls between the ages of 4 to 10
• Receive head-to-toe equipment with first-time enrollment ($600 value)
• Family-friendly schedule with eight weeks of 45-minute classes
• Eight-week sessions ($200) held year-round at select OhioHealth Chiller Ice Rink locations
• With each registration, receive one (1) free ticket to a 2024-25 regular season Blue Jackets home game
Learn to Play program sessions
• August session: August – October
• October session: October – December
• January session: January – March
• March session: March – May
• May session: May – July
To register for a session, visit the Learn to Play website. Registration opens approximately one month before the session starts.