A Family's Icebound Path
When the Blue Jackets launched their Recycle the Game program, the goal was simple: give families a chance to play without the steep price tag of new gear. For the Ensman household in Central Ohio, that promise turned into a seasonal tradition, with father and son attending the annual equipment sale to pick up everything from skates to leg pads.
Chase Ensman, who discovered his love for the crease after watching Sergei Bobrovsky’s highlight‑reel saves, found his first set of pads at one of those sales. The white leg pads he received became a staple of his early career, and the experience sparked a deeper connection to the sport that would soon involve his younger sister Madison.
Each year the family returns to the sale, where Blue Jackets staff help them size gear correctly, ensuring that the equipment fits as tightly as a professional’s. The program’s impact stretches beyond the Ensmans; in 2025 alone it has raised over $8,800, adding to a cumulative total that now exceeds $85,000 since 2012, and has delivered more than 2,000 donated items to eager youngsters.
Community Ripple Effects
The financial relief has allowed the Ensmans to stay on the ice despite budget constraints, but the benefits are not limited to cost savings. Chase now guides classmates and neighbors through the maze of equipment choices, while Madison, inspired by her brother’s example, has begun to explore the game herself.
Beyond individual families, the program fuels the broader growth of youth hockey in the region. By lowering barriers to entry, it encourages more children to try the sport, which in turn creates a pipeline of talent and community engagement that the Blue Jackets organization celebrates each season.