Coming Soon: Shootout Showcase

Straight from the Fox Sports Ohio email, a development of which I wholeheartedly approve:

FOX Sports Ohio and the Columbus Blue Jackets to feature “Shootout Showcase”

The network will present a youth hockey shootout tournament during Blue Jackets Live pregame shows beginning March 15th. The final teams will compete live during the telecast on March 29th, when the Jackets take on the Florida Panthers.

COLUMBUS, OHIO – FOX Sports Ohio and the Columbus Blue Jackets are excited to feature youth hockey players from Central Ohio in a “Shootout Showcase,” presented by The Chiller Ice Rinks.

Capital Amateur Hockey Association, Columbus Chill Youth Hockey Association, Easton Youth Hockey Association, and Newark Ice Hockey Association entered two teams each, for a total of eight teams competing in a single elimination shootout tournament. Each team consists of three shooters and one goalie.

During the six Blue Jackets Live pregame shows from Tuesday, Mar. 15th to Sunday, Mar. 27th, FOX Sports Ohio will air one shootout a show, whittling down to the final two teams. All of these shootout segments will also be available on www.foxsportsohio.com and www.bluejackets.com.

The final two teams will compete live at Nationwide Arena on Mar. 29th, when the Jackets host the Panthers at 7pm. FOX Sports Ohio will televise the final shootout live.

“This is a great opportunity for the Blue Jackets, along with Fox Sports Ohio, to further engage the youth hockey community of central Ohio and showcase the talent from the various youth associations,” stated J.D. Kershaw, Director of Marketing & Fan Development for the Blue Jackets. “We hope that this program will grow to become an annual tradition.”

The “Shootout Showcase” will additionally be featured with a recap during Slap Shots, the 30-minute week-in-review magazine show that highlights the Jackets recent matchups. A new episode of Slap Shots airs on FOX Sports Ohio every Monday at 6pm.

“FOX Sports Ohio is proud to team up with the Blue Jackets and feature youth hockey in the select telecasts,” said FOX Sports Ohio’s Director of Marketing Alex Slemc. “We hope this inspires participation in the many wonderful youth hockey programs across the state.”