This is what it's all about.
Sandwiched in between skating tests, preseason games, roster decisions and cuts, we have the 2018 Kraft Hockeyville game tonight in Clinton, N.Y.
This town of 2,000 people has undergone extensive rink renovations as part of the project, and in an upstate area rich with hockey tradition, they've even called off school for the day. Smart move.
The Blue Jackets (much like every NHL team) are in "business mode" this time of year, trying to get their work done leading up to the season opener and making the necessary moves to finalize the roster. They have three preseason games remaining to evaluate and make determinations, but this game is mostly about one thing: fun.
John Tortorella spent some time in the area earlier in his career and told reporters Tuesday morning that he may have actually played or practiced in Clinton Arena (you may also call it the Edward W. Stanley Recreation Center). He played in Utica, bounced around some minor leagues and eventually got his start in coaching in a small Virginia town.
He knows how important hockey is to communities, and having the Blue Jackets part of the Hockeyville experience comes at the perfect time.
"I'll be honest with you: you start thinking about the travel, the work you have to do with your club...but once you get there, you're glad you're here," Tortorella said this morning. "It's exciting, and especially for the youth – that's why we play. We're entertainers. The kids are loving seeing the practice, and I can (only) imagine what the game's going to be like."
The Hockeyville game is an immersive event for Clinton, quite the contrast from the regular NHL schedule. Practices, morning skates, player Q&As...everything is open to the public and everyone's invited. It's a small rink, so the whole town may not be able to make it into the building tonight, but the vibe will be felt throughout Clinton.
"It's really good for some of the young kids to get involved in this so early," Tortorella said of some of the younger Blue Jackets still in camp. "They may not have another opportunity. Just skating around the rink before practice and seeing all the kids, right there, that makes it all worthwhile. We're fortunate to be part of it."
