A season of compassion off the ice
When Boone Jenner, captain of the Columbus Blue Jackets, decided to step beyond the rink, he created Boone’s Buddies, a program that brings families who are receiving care at Nationwide Children’s Hospital into the arena’s warm embrace. The initiative invites these families to experience the excitement of a live game, offering a brief escape from the relentless rhythm of hospital visits.
During the 2025‑26 season the program welcomed families to 20 home games, providing them with a rare respite and a chance to share in the camaraderie of the crowd. After each match, Jenner took time to sit with the families, listening to their stories and building personal connections that go far beyond statistics.
Among those families is the Gee household from Utah, whose 12‑year‑old daughter Adella was born prematurely and has endured dozens of surgeries for digestive issues. For the Gees, a night at the rink became more than entertainment; it was a moment of joy that eased the strain of long‑distance travel and medical uncertainty, leaving them with a memory they will cherish.
Jenner’s efforts earned him the Blue Jackets’ 2025‑26 Community MVP award and placed him in the conversation for both the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy and the King Clancy Memorial Trophy, honors that recognize perseverance and community leadership. He attributes the program’s success to the families themselves, saying that their resilience fuels his desire to keep the memories alive.
The ripple effect reaches the foundations that support the program, including the Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation and Nationwide Children’s Hospital, which have partnered with Ronald McDonald House to amplify the outreach. Jenner says he hopes the model can inspire other athletes to look beyond the scoreboard and into the lives of those they touch.