Testimonials
What they are saying about the AAA Blue Jackets
My time with the Ohio AAA Blue Jackets not only made me a better hockey player, but more importantly taught me the values of being a good teammate, working hard and how to be a part of something bigger than myself. I am forever grateful for my experience and I feel so fortunate to call Columbus home.
~ Sean Kuraly (Columbus Blue Jackets)
The OBJ organization gave me development, relationships and memories that I will forever be grateful for. The organization helped me mature on and off the ice at every level with never ending opportunity and guidance. I am proud to have been given the chance to play in Columbus at the AAA level and continue to cherish the friendships I carry with my former teammates and coaches.
~ Connor Murphy (Chicago Blackhawks)
For the past 14 years, I have been involved in the AAA program as a parent, coach and evaluator. As a coach, I have seen the evolution and growth of the program, coaches and players. The preparation and exposure to both US and Canadian junior programs, as well as, Division 1 University programs are top notch. The commitment from the organization’s staff is one of development, respect, and personal growth for each player. As a parent, I have watched my 3 sons grow not only on the ice but also as young men- the expectation of respect, hard work and perseverance is the backbone of the Ohio AAA Blue Jackets, and I’m proud to not only have been a part of the legacy, but that my 3 boys have also had the same opportunity.
~ Andrew Cassels (former Blue Jacket, program coach & parent)
The AAA program really helped mold me as a person and as a hockey player. I felt the program developed me into a full 200 foot player, while allowing me also to make lifelong friendships. It is amazing to see how much the program has grown and continues to grow! The growth of hockey in central Ohio and just astounding. Go Jackets!
~ Cole Cassels (Cleveland Monsters)
I am so grateful for the AAA Blue Jackets organization. I would not have had the on ice success I did if it wasn’t for my time there. I was able to play against the best competition in the country and gain my first exposure to junior, college and professional scouts all while living in my own home. The resources and coaching the organization provide are on par with what you will see at the pro-level and they undoubtedly prepared me to make the jump to the next level. I can’t think of a better environment to be in for young hockey players aspiring to do the same. Some of my best hockey memories and closest friends came from my years playing there and I’m honored to be a member of the alumni family.
~ Trent Vogelhuber (Cleveland Monsters)
The program is special for me and so many people growing up in Columbus. Not only giving me a chance to chase my dreams, but creating some of my most special relationships and learning so many lessons along the way. I’m forever grateful to have grown up in Columbus and be part of our AAA family that has grown hockey in our great city. I am so proud to be an alum. It is hard to put into words how much of an impact it has had on my life.
~ Kiefer Sherwood (Nashville Predators)
The AAA program is the foundation of my path to the NHL. I could not have done it without the help and platform they provided. The program has impacted my family in so many positive ways not just on the ice but also off and that’s why we keep giving back to help grow what we started. It used to be kids in Columbus wanting to go play in other cities but now every kid wants to be a AAA Blue Jacket because they simply do one thing; develop good young hockey players with good character and help them achieve personal goals by bringing a winning culture.
~ Kole Sherwood (former Columbus Blue Jacket)
I wouldn’t be where I am today without the AAA Blue Jackets organization. That I can say with certainty. The organization gave me friendships that will last a lifetime and coaches that truly cared about me and developed me into the player I am today. I owe all of my success in hockey to Ed Gingher and all those involved in the organization. I am forever grateful for the 10+ years I spent pulling on the AAA Blue Jackets jersey growing into the person and player that I am today.
~ Carson Meyer (Columbus Blue Jackets)
During my time with the Ohio Blue Jackets, I was blown away with the professionalism of the organization. The program truly prides itself on developing players and coaches every day. They consistently push themselves to be provide the best product on and off the ice. The coaching staff is one of the best in the country and has countless years of wisdom and experience from amateur, junior, college and professional hockey. I quickly learned that any player that enters the OBJ family has access to every tool necessary to be an elite hockey player. The OBJ organization is led by selfless people who care more about the kids than their own personal gain. I have learned a ton from their leadership and I continue to lean on their guidance as a coach.
~ Jimmy Mullin (Merrimack College, assistant coach)
The AAA Blue Jackets program is a highly regarded program in the world of hockey. The talented coaching staff has been an amazing for both my son, Jack, and myself as a parent. They taught him not just to be an elite hockey player, but to have the kind of character it takes to become a professional athlete. They were also a major helping us navigate the complexities of the USHL, OHL, NCAA and the NHL. I am so grateful to still have a strong relationship with their staff and program as the journey continues. We are forever a part of the OBJ family.
~ Jane Arthur Roslovic (hockey mom)
I have had the privilege and opportunity to not only have coached in the AAA Blue Jacket program for 10 years, but to also have my two sons play in the program for the past six years. I have watched them both grow as hockey players and young men through the guidance and tutelage of the people involved in the program. I got to witness first hand the quality, knowledge, and professionalism of the coaches and how passionate they are about the game. They care about the kids and their development and they provide them with the resources necessary to help them better their game and skills. The program strives to help young players reach their goals of moving on to higher levels.
~ Jeff Salajko (Edmonton Oilers)
The program meant so much to me because of the relationships I built with the players and coaches over the years. I always felt proud to put on the jersey and create new memories with my best friends which I still continue took look back on today. With the national attention the program attracts, it allowed me and my teammates to be seen and accomplish everything we worked so hard for.
~ Eric Dop (Bowling Green/Boston College)
Playing in the Ohio AAA Blue Jackets program opened more doors in life than I ever would have dreamed were possible. It not only gave me an opportunity to play hockey against the best young players in the country, but more importantly taught me the values of hard work, commitment and helped me find purpose for life after hockey. Three men from the program stood next to me at my wedding. I can truly say my life and career would but much different without the OBJ program.
~ Drew Kariofiles (alumnus, wealth associate at UBS)
As one of the first girls to play for OBJ, it is truly incredible to look back and see how much girls hockey has grown in Columbus. The program taught me so many life lessons but the two that stick out the most to me is leadership and camaraderie. I learned how important it is to be a leader and someone that teammates can look to at any time. I believe the leadership that hockey has taught me plays a huge part in the person I am today in the professional world.
~ Elie Fallieras (Alumna, Graduate Doctorate of Physical Therapy (Ohio University)
The Ohio AAA Blue Jackets have been part of my life ever since I can remember. The program has brought countless memories and some of the most amazing people into my life. From coaches to teammates to their families... they are all so special to me. This program has set me and my career up for so much success on and off the ice and that’s something I am extremely grateful for. I will forever and always be an Ohio AAA Blue Jacket.
~ Connor McDonald (Utah Grizzlies)
Our family has been associated with the AAA program from the very outset. I was fortunate early on, along with several others from the Columbus hockey community in helping Ed structure the program. Ed and his coaching staffs have always upheld the values of the program that were established when the organization was originally formed. By holding firm to these values, the program and the players that have been a part of it, have achieved great success in the hockey world. Whether it has been in the junior ranks, the college world or in the professional arena, the numbers speak for themselves. More importantly, the program has been instrumental in developing its players into outstanding young adults that have gone on to wonderful careers. My wife Susan and I count our son Blake as someone who benefited greatly from his involvement with the program.
~ Bruce Edwards (board member & former program parent)
The AAA program was extremely impactful not only on my hockey career, but more importantly my personal life. Ed and my coaches helped me realize what it takes to make it to the next level... and that getting to that level was actually achievable. The program is still so important to me and I try to stay as involved as possible. I still talk every day with old teammates and other AAA alumni. The bond that we created over 15 years ago is still very strong.
~ Danny Greiner (program alumnus)
Starting from our first visit to Columbus, we felt right at home with the Ohio AAA Blue Jackets program, but we could never have imagined how much of an impact it would have on family.
Being a part of the OBJ organization has been an incredible experience. The coaches, trainers and programs for player development are top notch, as are the hockey and off-ice athletic training facilities. The OBJ program is dedicated to building confidence and preparing players for advancement to the next level.
Our son’s billet family not only opened their home but also their hearts to Michael, making the decision to send him 2,500 miles away to pursue his dream of playing elite hockey an easy one. We knew he would be in great hands.
The strong bond Michael has made with his teammates, coaches, staff and billet family has, in turn, created lasting friendships for us as well, which will continue on for many years to come.
~ Roman & Kathleen Sochan (program parents)
The program heavily influenced my life from the moment I became a part of it. The lasting relationships I have built with everyone from the strength coaches, teammates amd my coaches are some of my most meaningful in my life. The culture of development, hard work and community within the program is unmatched in youth athletics. The experiences I had both on and off the ice remain some of my fondest memories. I know that the program afforded me every opportunity a youth hockey player could ask for and I am forever thankful for that.
~ Max DeCoursey (alumnus, pilot)
It really is special to see the growth and development of the Ohio AAA Blue Jackets hockey program since the inaugural season in 2004-2005 which I was fortunate to be part of. I have so much pride being an alumnus and believe that it was during my time with the program that I learned I was always representing something bigger than myself. There are many values that I still carry with me today in my present career. The program had a big impact on who I am today.
~ Tyler Merritt (alumnus, police officer)
I had the pleasure of working in the Ohio AAA Blue Jackets organization for 5 years and it is a premiere youth club that not only develops kids into great hockey players but people as well. I recommend this organization to any individual who is willing to be pushed and challenged to become a better player and person.
~ Jeremy Browning (Washington Capitals scout)
The coaches and staff are truly committed to the development of their kids as players and individuals. It is the best youth program I have seen in the United States. Their staff are some of the most knowledgable and caring people in youth hockey and always are going the extra miles for their players and families.
~ Mike Gionta (attorney, advisor)