Program names December Players of the Month

January 9, 2026

The Ohio Blue Jackets are proud to announce the program's December 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) - Hayden Saad
Hayden Saad is in his third season with the program and continues to establish himself as a well-rounded, trusted teammate within the 18U group. Through 36 games this season, Hayden has posted 16 goals and 14 assists for 30 points. Hayden has continued to elevate his game by competing every day and pushing the pace in all areas of the ice. His relentlessness allows him to be productive on the scoresheet while also making those around him better. He can be relied upon in multiple roles and situations, bringing great energy and a true team-first approach each time he steps on the ice. An 11th grader at Bexley High School, Hayden is a driven competitor who remains a positive influence in both the locker room and on the bench. His lighthearted attitude helps keep teammates loose and confident, while his focus and work ethic ensure the group is always prepared to compete.

16U (2009) - Carson Hartman
Carson Hartman is a seven-year veteran of the program and a quiet leader and a core member of the 2009 birth year group. His passion for the game and dedication to developing his craft, both on and off the ice, have resulted in steady growth as a player and as a person. He is well respected by teammates and coaches for his consistency, work ethic, and team-first approach. Through 33 games this season, Carson leads the team in scoring with 15 goals and 24 assists for 39 points. In December, he recorded eight points in seven games, highlighted by a three-assist performance in a comeback win against Florida Alliance. He also played an important role in the team’s big victory over the Chicago Mission. An 11th grader at Acellus Academy, Carson is a 4.0 student who is working toward graduating a year early, demonstrating the same discipline and commitment in the classroom that he brings to the rink each day.

16U Girls (2009/10) - Jane LeMasters
In her third season in an OBJ uniform, Jane has established herself as a well-rounded player and trusted teammate for the 16U Girls team. She is a strong, reliable center who excels on face-offs and can be counted on in all situations, including special teams. In December, Jane finished the month as the second-leading scorer on the team, reflecting her consistency and offensive impact. Jane was voted as a member of the team’s leadership group and brings full effort, positive energy, and a great attitude to every practice and game. She consistently leads by example, always competing hard while keeping teammates engaged and confident with her upbeat presence. A 10th grader at Westerville Central High School, Jane carries a 4.61 GPA and is also a letter winner on the Westerville Central Varsity Softball team. She takes pride in representing the OBJ program and enjoys giving back by volunteering with youth hockey and sled hockey whenever possible.

15O (2010) - Goose Young
In his first season with the program, Goose Young has made an immediate impact and been a strong addition to the 15O team. A hard-nosed, physical player, Goose is tough to play against and brings a high compete level every time he steps on the ice. His willingness to engage and play through contact has added an edge to the lineup. Goose put together a strong month offensively, recording two goals and two assists in seven games as a defenseman. His shorthanded goal against San Jose was a key moment that helped lead the team to victory, and he followed that up with a goal against a challenging Florida Alliance team heading into the break. His versatility has allowed him to contribute at both forward and defense throughout the season. Originally from British Columbia, Goose has embraced the program and continues to help drive the team’s improvement as preparations begin for playoffs next month. A 10th grader at The Patrick School, he carries a 3.5 GPA, demonstrating a strong commitment both on the ice and in the classroom.

14U (2011) - Rocco Edmonds
In his third season with the AAA Blue Jackets, Rocco Edmonds has been a steady presence and reliable contributor for the 14U team. A year after helping the group earn a third-place finish at Nationals, Rocco continues to bring a high level of compete and consistency that is respected by teammates and coaches alike. The team has faced one of the most competitive schedules in the nation, and Rocco has risen to that challenge throughout the season. Rocco’s work ethic and commitment to playing the game the right way have made him one of the team’s most dependable defensemen, while also emerging as one of the top goal scorers from the blue line. His attention to detail in practice and video sessions has driven significant growth in his overall game this season. A 9th grader at University School, Edmonds is one of the most well-liked and respected players on the team. His commitment to becoming more physical has added another dimension to his game and has positively impacted all areas of his play.

14U Girls (2011/12) - Capri Sullivan
In her second season with OBJ, Capri Sullivan has established herself as a constant workhorse and driving force within the lineup. She is consistently first in line for drills and wants the puck on her stick at all times—a mindset that carries directly into games. Her commitment to working habits in practice allows the puck to find her during competition, and she continues to grow as both a player and a leader. Capri holds herself to a high standard, remaining even-keeled while always expecting more from herself. She leads by example, helps elevate her teammates, and instills confidence in those around her. Her impact showed on the scoresheet in December, where she recorded nine goals and four assists, while also leading the team with 39 shots for the month. Her intelligence and anticipation stand out, as she consistently plays with her head up, moves her feet, and knows her next play before receiving the puck. A 9th grader at Milford High School, Capri brings great energy to the team and never fails to make coaches and teammates smile. She celebrates her teammates’ success as much as her own while continually challenging the group to improve. Off the ice, she enjoys concerts, spending time with friends, and supporting her siblings in their athletic pursuits.

13U (2012) - Colton Matracia
A four-year veteran of the program, Colton Matracia has earned a reputation as a high-impact, trusted player for the 13U squad. His dedication to playing a complete game at both ends of the ice, combined with his competitiveness and hockey IQ, makes him a steady and reliable presence in all situations. A cornerstone of the OBJ defensive corps, Colton brings consistency, composure, and intensity every time he takes the ice. During the 2025–26 season, Colton has posted a +2 rating while recording 5 goals and 11 assists for 16 points. In December, he added two goals and three assists in seven games, in addition to two clutch shootout goals that helped secure wins at the T1EHL Championships in Detroit. While his contributions are evident on the scoresheet, his impact goes far beyond statistics, serving as a driving force behind the team’s continued growth, including a 5-2-0 record in December. Off the ice, Colton is an 8th grader at Eversole Run Middle School, where he maintains a 4.00 GPA and also plays soccer. He embraces opportunities to give back, participating in the team’s Salvation Army Christmas Cheer initiative, helping distribute food and toys to families in need.

12U (2013) - Cooper Hackett
Cooper Hackett is in his fourth year with the program, and his first playing within his own birth year. He has made a big-time impact for the 12U team, leading the way with his competitiveness, enthusiasm, and love for the game. Cooper’s dynamic style, creativity with the puck, and relentless work ethic make him a constant threat offensively while also being responsible defensively. December was a standout month for Cooper and the team. In 11 games, he posted 19 goals, 9 assists, and a +20 rating, helping the team achieve a 10-1 record while capturing a T1EHL Championship in Detroit. Through the 2025–26 season, Hackett has tallied an impressive 47 goals and 68 points in 28 games, demonstrating his consistent production and ability to influence the outcome of every game. The team holds an overall 31-13-1 record and is preparing to compete in the prestigious Quebec International Pee-Wee Tournament in February. A 7th grader at Grove City Middle School, Cooper maintains excellent academic standards and demonstrates leadership both in and out of the classroom.

12U Girls (2013/14) - Quinn Greiner
A first-year player in the program, Quinn Greiner has been a strong addition to the 12U Girls team. The team went 5–3 in December against tough competition, with Quinn providing steady play in net. During the month, she allowed just one goal against on three different occasions while starting or splitting time, finishing with a 3.2 GAA against some of the top competition in the country. Quinn’s calm, confident presence gives the team assurance in goal, and her strong physical and mental preparation sets the tone for consistent performance. A natural leader, she brings positivity and encouragement while continually striving to improve each week. Off the ice, Quinn is a 6th grader at Creekview Middle School where she maintains straight A’s and has been identified as gifted in English Language Arts and Math. She was named a Mighty Monarch in September for consistently demonstrating the school’s RISE habits—Respectful, Innovative, Supportive, and Excellent—and also helped develop a concept for the 6th Grade Book Club to better engage student interests.

11U (2014) - Patrick Lichner
In his second season in the program, Patrick Lichner has established himself as a model the way leader both on and off the ice. A relentless worker with a consistently positive attitude, Patrick truly loves being at the rink and brings great energy and body language to the team every day. He is always looking for ways to encourage his teammates and help those around him improve, making him a trusted and respected presence in the locker room. Patrick plays a heavy, well-rounded game and is willing to make sacrifices for the team, including blocking shots and winning hard battles. He is effective in all situations, contributing on both the power play and the penalty kill. With a strong, accurate shot and a heavy presence on pucks, Patrick is difficult to play against and consistently makes an impact. In December, he performed well at the T1EHL Championships in Detroit, continuing to elevate his game against top competition. Patrick has earned the team’s Player of the Game hat multiple times and brings the same high level of effort, competitiveness, and work ethic to every game and practice. A 6th-grade student at St. Veronica School, he is a straight-A student and represents the program with pride in the classroom and the community.

10U (2015) - Jack Lambert
In his first year in the program, Jack Lambert has proven to be a tremendous teammate and an important player for the 10U team. He took his mid-season evaluation to heart and has worked hard to apply feedback to his game. Extremely coachable, Jack is always striving to get better and consistently brings a positive attitude to the locker room and the ice. Jack holds himself accountable and supports his teammates, never pointing fingers. His confidence has grown significantly in December, leading to better puck decisions and a newfound level of physicality. A highlight moment came against Indiana Elite when Jack intercepted a pass in his own end and scored the game-winning goal with just 19 seconds remaining. Off the ice, Jack is a 5th grader at Valley Elementary, where he is in advanced classes and excels academically while balancing his commitment to hockey. Off the ice, Jack has enjoyed unique experiences such as visiting the U.S. House floor, celebrating the Fourth of July at the White House, and touring the top of the Washington Monument.

Congratulations to our players of the month for December 2025! 

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.