OBJ announces February Players of the Month
March 13, 2026
The Ohio Blue Jackets are proud to announce the program's February Players of the Month presented by DICK'S Sporting Goods. These awards are issued to one member from each team. Honored are student-athletes that excel on and off of the ice, demonstrate our holistic development model and represent the program's core values of process, respect, integrity, determination and excellence.
18U (2007/08) - Luke Zimpfer
Luke Zimpfer is a longtime program veteran and core member of the 2008 birth year group who made a major impact on the 18U team this season. In 53 games, Luke recorded 21 goals and 17 assists for 38 points while helping lead the team to a T1EHL playoff championship and a berth in the USA Hockey MidAm District Championship game. Known for his complete and dependable game, Luke is a well-rounded player who understands his identity and plays his role extremely well. He elevated his game at the most important time of the season with strong 5-on-5 play, while also serving as an impact player on both special teams and logging significant minutes for the team. An 11th grader at Upper Arlington High School, Luke is a strong student and carries a 3.8 GPA. His consistency, competitiveness and commitment to the team have made him a trusted presence throughout the lineup. Luke has also signed a tender with the Lone Star Brahmas (NAHL) for the 2026–27 season.
16U (2009) - Ian Ertmann
Ian Ertmann continues to be a backbone for the 2009 birth year team. In his seventh season with the program, Ertmann compiled a 14-12-2 record with a .912 save percentage and a 2.70 goals-against average, providing a consistent and reliable presence in goal. A steady competitor, Ian has earned the trust of his coaches and teammates year after year. In February, he delivered several strong performances against a challenging schedule, including two key wins over Nashville and standout play at the Tier 1 Elite Hockey League playoffs and the USA Hockey MidAm District Tournament in Pittsburgh, where the team finished third. Ian is a dedicated student of the game who works meticulously on his craft and is always looking for ways to improve. His commitment to training both in the gym and during goalie sessions continues to show in his development and performance in the crease.
16U Girls (2009/10) - Ellie Maksim
Ellie Maksim is in her third season with the program and has been a reliable go-to player and leader for the 16U Girls team. She led the team in scoring this season and had a particularly strong month of February, recording a team-high 6 goals and 3 assists in 10 games. Ellie is an extremely hard worker who brings a consistent effort and high compete level to every game and practice. An offensive leader all season, she has contributed in multiple roles while playing both wing and center. A ninth grader at Columbus School for Girls, Ellie carries an impressive 4.13 GPA. She is also a standout multi-sport athlete, playing both field hockey—where she earned First Team All-Conference honors in 2025—and lacrosse for her school, in addition to competing in club lacrosse. Last summer, Ellie represented the program at USA Hockey’s Girls National Select 15 Camp.
15O (2010) - Dalton Roen
Dalton Roen is a smart, consistent forward who has taken major strides in his second season with the program. In 52 games this season, Dalton recorded 11 goals and 14 assists for 25 points, including a strong February in which he tallied 4 goals and 4 assists in 9 games. A leader both on and off the ice, Dalton’s work ethic and example set the tone for his teammates. He played a pivotal role in competing against some of the top teams in the country during both the T1EHL league and MidAm District playoffs, consistently stepping up in key moments. A ninth grader at Olentangy High School, Dalton maintains a 3.8 GPA and is also a standout athlete on the school’s baseball team. His combination of skill, competitiveness, and leadership has made him a dependable and impactful presence for the team and worthy recipient of the 15O team's player of the month
14U (2011) - Alex Denny
A veteran and core member of the 2011 birth year since joining the program, Alex Denny has once again been a major contributor and driving force for the 14U team this season. Facing the second-most difficult schedule in the nation, Alex tallied 24 goals and 33 assists for 57 points in 55 games. He elevated his play at the most critical time of the season, recording 5 goals and 5 assists in the final 8 games, helping the team earn an at-large bid to the Chipotle-USA Hockey National Championships. The team also advanced to the MidAm District Championship game and the semi-finals of the T1EHL playoffs. Alex has grown into a true leader on and off the ice, playing a strong two-way game while setting the tone in practice with his work ethic. His consistent commitment to both offensive production and defensive responsibilities, including backchecking and defensive-zone coverage, has made him one of the team’s most reliable players. A ninth grader at Thomas Worthington High School, Alex excels in the classroom as well, combining strong academics with his dedication to the game.
14U Girls (2011/12) - Lily Svenson
Lily Svenson was a key contributor for the 14U Girls team in her third season with OBJ. She helped the team advance to the MidAm district championship game and played an integral role in the offense, totaling 25 goals and 52 points in 54 games, finishing second on the team in goals and points both for the season and in February. Known for her big-time shot and goal-scoring ability, Lily also stands up for her teammates and brings relentless energy to every shift—she plays with one speed and never gives less than her full effort. Her work ethic and competitiveness make her a leader both on and off the ice, earning her the respect and admiration of teammates and coaches alike. An 8th grader at Perry Middle School, Lily excels academically with a 4.0 GPA and is gifted in all subjects. Off the ice, she is equally dedicated, serving as a referee for 614 Ice Refs, competing in track and field as a shot put and discus thrower, and training year-round with the program’s strength and conditioning coach. Her commitment, consistency, and leadership have made her an huge part of the team’s success this season.
13O (2012) - William Bechtol
A power forward with skill, William Bechtol has been a go-to, all-situations player for the 2012 birth year in his fourth season with the program. Combining size, strength, power, and skill, Bechtol can play both center and wing, making him a versatile and impactful presence on the ice. He showed tremendous growth this season, playing his best hockey at the end of the year, leading the team with 7 goals and 11 points in 10 games during February to help the team to a 3rd place finish at the MidAm District Tournament. Despite missing eight games due to injury, William finished the season with 37 points and led the team with 22 goals in 54 games. Most importantly, he matured as a player, learning to leverage his physical attributes, elevate his compete level, and become a difficult player to play against. His defensive game and penalty-kill contributions also improved significantly, and he handled both personal and team adversity with impressive composure. An eighth grader at Olentangy Liberty Middle School, William excels academically in honors classes, combining his dedication on and off the ice into a fantastic finish to the season.
12U (2013) - Hudson Lindstrom
Hudson Lindstrom was an incredible addition to the 12U team and the OBJ program this season. After relocating with his family from Sweden early in the year, Hudson quickly made an impact, finishing the season with 30 goals and 40 assists for 70 points in 56 games. He capped off the year with a strong performance at the prestigious Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament, recording 2 goals and 8 assists for 10 points in 7 games. Hudson brings a positive and infectious attitude to the rink every day. His passion for the game, commitment to development, and strong work ethic have allowed him to excel while adapting to the North American style of hockey. With the puck on his stick, Hudson’s skill and creativity are consistently on display, making him a threat every time he steps on the ice. Off the ice, Hudson has also adjusted extremely well to a new country and culture. A sixth grader at Grizzell Middle School, he is an outstanding student who brings the same positive attitude to the classroom and is highly respected by his peers.
12U Girls (2013/14) - Alese Olsgard
Alese demonstrated outstanding character and commitment throughout the season, consistently bringing a strong work ethic and team-first mindset to the ice. She continually pushes herself to improve while giving maximum effort in every shift, drill, and game situation. A highly coachable player, Alese showed a willingness to listen, learn, and apply feedback, making her a pleasure to work with and a strong example for her teammates while contributing to a positive locker room culture. Over the final month of the season, Alese made significant strides in the faceoff circle, improving her win percentage from around 40 percent to the mid-60s through hard work and attention to detail. She also consistently showed toughness and determination, battling against opponents who often had significant size advantages and never backing down from the challenge. At the team’s final end-of-season showcase, Alese delivered a standout performance against the Carolina Jr. Canes, scoring the game-winning goal and adding an assist. A sixth grader at Hilliard Tharp Middle School, she maintains Honor Roll status with an impressive 3.92 GPA while also participating in a wide range of activities including lacrosse, gymnastics, golf, wake surfing, wakeboarding, and snow skiing.
11U (2014) - Will Emerick
The consummate teammate, Will Emerick was a great addition to the 2014 team this season. Defined by his effort, determination, and positive attitude, Will quickly became a trusted and reliable player for the group. Highly coachable, he developed into a leader through his contagious energy and strong work ethic, consistently setting a positive example for his teammates both on and off the ice. A skilled player who uses his speed to generate scoring opportunities, Will plays a responsible and complete game. He is effective on the forecheck, tracks hard to support defensively, and has been a dependable contributor on the penalty kill. Always willing to do whatever is asked to help the team succeed, his commitment and team-first mentality have made him a valuable part of the lineup. A fifth grader at Norwich Elementary School, Will is also a leader in the classroom. He has served on student council and has been recognized with the Leading Lynx Award for his leadership and positive impact at school.
10U (2015) - Frank Paniccia
Frank Paniccia established himself as a reliable and consistent player for the 2015 team in his first season wearing the OBJ jersey. Over the final two months of the season, Frankie led the team in assists, recording 13 assists in 17 games during one of the toughest stretches of the schedule. During that span, he totaled 3 goals and 16 points, consistently producing while playing a hard, honest style of hockey. Frankie’s hard-nosed play and strong work ethic are evident every time he steps on the ice. He plays a complete game, competing hard at both ends of the rink and never cheating the game. While he may be a quiet presence off the ice, he plays with tremendous energy and competitiveness, constantly hunting down pucks and creating opportunities for his teammates. His humility, consistency, and team-first attitude have made him a valued teammate and a key contributor to the group. A fifth grader at St. Brigid of Kildare, Frankie is a well-rounded athlete who also competes in soccer, wrestling, baseball, and golf.
Congratulations to our players of the month for February 2026!
The Ohio Blue Jackets program prides itself on being the premier youth hockey program in Ohio. With an every day mission to develop our student-athletes to reach their potential on and off of the ice, the program aims to provide a healthy and safe environment for the elite player to grow as a player, person and teammate through the great game of hockey.