Hear from You Can Play Vice Chair David Palumbo as he supported the Columbus Blue Jackets' Hockey Is For Everyone game on February 10, 2018.
As part of the National Hockey League's Hockey Is For Everyone month, the Columbus Blue Jackets celebrated diversity and inclusion in the sport by presenting Hockey Is For Everyone Night when the Jackets hosted the New Jersey Devils on Saturday, Feb. 10 at 7 p.m.
Also that night, the first 10,000 fans in attendance received a CBJ baseball cap courtesy of FOX Sports Ohio.
During pregame warmups, Blue Jackets Hockey Is For Everyone ambassador Seth Jones and teammates will use rainbow colored Pride Tape on sticks and practice with Pride-themed pucks. The club auctioned signed sticks by a select group of players with proceeds benefiting You Can Play's efforts to ensure safety and inclusion of all in sports — including LGBTQ athletes, coaches and fans.
Pregame activities also included 30 members of the Columbus Gay Men's Chorus accompanying Blue Jackets anthem singer Leo Welsh to perform the "The Star-Spangled Banner." The Blue Jackets highlighted diversity among hockey participants with an on-ice, pregame introduction of individuals representing a wide spectrum of leagues and programs including: Ohio Sled Hockey, Special Hockey (players with developmental disabilities), Columbus Ohio Gay Lesbian Ally Hockey Association, Columbus Ice Hockey Club (Columbus Recreation & Parks program), girls' hockey, adult hockey, high school hockey and youth hockey. Intermissions featured Sled Hockey and Special Hockey scrimmages, including a check presentation from The Basement Doctor to the local Special Hockey team.