Learning to skate can be a beautiful (and bruising) endeavor.
As part of the Blue Jackets' community outreach, current prospects and staff took the time to skate with kids from the Columbus area.
"The community skating program is an opportunity for the Columbus Blue Jackets to interact with our local programs that provide youth programming during the offseason," said Michelle Brueggeman, manager of education and community partnership for the Blue Jackets.
Along with Blue Jackets staff who were volunteering, forwards Alexandre Texier and Emil Bemstrom also came out to skate with the kids. Texier and Bemstrom are practically kids themselves in the scope of the NHL. Bemstrom is 20 and Texier is just 19.
"Some kids have never been on the ice before, so it was very fun," according to Texier.
"It's supportive to give everyone a chance to get on the ice and try the greatest sport in the world," Bemstrom added.
Howard Fairley from the Boys and Girls Club of Columbus praised the program: "It gives new experiences to our kids that they haven't seen before," said Fairley. "A lot of (the kids) are Blue Jackets fans but have never been to game or even been ice skating."
Learning to skate is very challenging for many, but with the help of the Blue Jackets' staff and prospects, these kids will be pros in no time.
