CINCINNATI, Ohio – Fall marks the beginning of another hockey season.
- Since the Blue Jackets expansion in 2000, Ohio is seeing more hockey players stay in-state
- Four minor league teams in Ohio are seeing more Ohio-connected players
- Hockey attendance is near the top for all of Ohio's minor league franchises in their respective leagues
The Columbus Blue Jackets are three games into their 19th season of existence. When the club expanded into the NHL in 2000 it changed hockey in the state of Ohio.
“A lot of people have put a lot of work into hockey here,” said Cincinnati Cyclones Head Coach Matt Thomas. “And I think it's only got the ability to continue to grow. So many great athletes. So many kids that if they got on the ice and fell in love with the game we could see NHL players being turned out of this state on a consistent basis.”
Thomas knows a little bit about Ohio hockey players. His current roster features six players either born in Ohio or with some connection to the state. Thomas said looking for Ohio hockey players isn't a primary focus for the team, but it's certainly an area they scout for talent.
“My assistant and I went up to Miami in Oxford and watched Bowling Green play Miami. For us, it's an opportunity to attract a player of that caliber – a Division I hockey player, that may not get an NHL opportunity out of college, and see if we can get them here.”
The AHL's Cleveland Monsters feature two Ohio-connected players. Columbus native Kole Sherwood is with the team this season, but made his NHL debut with the Blue Jackets last year and could be called up this season.
The Mentor Ice Breakers, a 2018 expansion team into the Federal Prospects Hockey League, have at least five Ohio-born players on their roster. Their coach, Iain Duncan, played college hockey at Bowling Green University before playing several seasons in the NHL.
The Toledo Walleye, a successful ECHL franchise, also have at least one Ohio-born player on their active roster.
Cyclones player Justin Vaive, who's father played in the NHL, spent four years playing hockey at Miami University. The 2011 graduate knows that how hockey in Ohio has changed.
“When I first got here, definitely, it was not this big,” Vaive said. “It was up-and-coming, people were getting used to the game, and the Jackets kind of brought the NHL perspective to the state. But now with all the success in the minor league teams and stuff like that it's definitely got a lot bigger.”
Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Toledo all have healthy fan bases and each team is near the top in average yearly attendance for their respective leagues.
Ohio is one of a few states in the U.S. that has nearly every level of developmental hockey. Junior programs in northeast Ohio and the success of hockey at Miami University, Ohio State, and Bowling Green, is keeping more talent in Ohio.
“You had a 15-year-old kid that was a high potential prospect in hockey you would have to leave the state or move somewhere to get that experience,” said Scott Harrington, founder and senior writer at OhioHockeyDigest.com. “But we're in a position now where kids can develop in Ohio.”
For hockey talent, Ohio is joining the conversation with more traditional hockey-producing states, like Minnesota, Michigan, and Massachusetts.
Harrington said hockey for girls and women is still lagging in Ohio. He said there is a demand, but not enough teams are being started to provide sports for females interested in hockey. Instead, many choose to play on male teams. Ohio State's women's hockey team may start changing perception here, however.
Hockey fans in Ohio can drive to each corner of the state and find an ice rink or professional team to watch. High school hockey is growing, junior programs and youth developmental leagues are widely available, and college club teams also provide opportunities.
Who said Ohio is just about football and basketball?