COLUMBUS, OHIO – The Columbus Blue Jackets, the National Hockey League and USA Hockey are celebrating "Hockey Weekend Across America" February 17-19. For the fifth straight year, the Blue Jackets and OhioHealth Chiller Ice Rinks will be involved in a number of events and initiatives recognizing the game and those individuals playing important roles in its growth and development in central Ohio.

Wear Your Jersey Day – Friday, February 17
USA Hockey’s Wear Your Jersey Day is set for Friday, Feb. 17 in which all players and fans are encouraged to wear their jerseys to school or work that day.

Try Hockey for Free Clinics – Saturday, February 18
Free beginners clinics will be conducted at OhioHealth Chiller Easton on Saturday, Feb. 18 for kids ages 6-12 who are not currently registered in classes and are not members of a local hockey association. The clinics will be held at 5:15 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. and feature on-ice instruction from members of the Ohio State University Men's Ice Hockey team. Blue Jackets mascot Stinger will also be on hand. Kids and parents interested in registering for the clinic can visit www.TryHockeyForFree.com.

Young Officials Program – Saturday, February 18
For the first time, Hockey Weekend Across America is also integrating the National Hockey League Officials Association into its programming. Two aspiring young officials from Galena and Bexley, suburbs of Columbus, will be visiting with the NHL officiating crew for a question and answer session before the puck drops for the Blue Jackets game versus the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday, Feb. 18. In addition, OhioHealth Chiller Ice Rinks will also be hosting the Annual Blue Jackets Cup Tournament featuring area high school Club and Junior Varsity teams this weekend.

“Hockey Weekend Across America” also features back to back games for the Blue Jackets. On Saturday, the Blue Jackets host Central Division rival Chicago Blackhawks at 1 p.m. at Nationwide Arena. The Blue Jackets travel to New York on Sunday to visit the Eastern Conference leader New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. Game time on Sunday is set for 8 p.m.

Live coverage of Saturday’s game vs. the Blackhawks on FOX Sports Ohio HD begins with the Blue Jackets Live pre-game show starting at 12:30 p.m. The game will also be broadcast live on the Wheeling Island Hotel & Casino Blue Jackets Radio Network, including flagship station Sports Radio 97.1 The Fan in Columbus and online at BlueJackets.com.

The 2013 NHL All-Star Game is coming to Columbus Jan. 26-27, 2013. Fans can guarantee access to seats for both the game and Skills Challenge now by reserving a full or partial season ticket plan for the Blue Jackets’ 2012-13 season. Ticket plans start at less than $15 per game. In addition to guaranteed access to All-Star tickets, full and partial-season ticket holders receive a number of great benefits including significant savings versus single-game prices; the best available seat locations; exclusive access to events with players and coaches; and priority access to tickets for most other events at Nationwide Arena and the Jerome Schottenstein Center. For more information, call (800) NHL-COLS or visit BlueJackets.com.