Daylong event brought a season-opening game, alumni matchup, public skate, and free
health screenings from Total Orthopedics Sports Medicine and SportsCare Physical Therapy to kick off the NJ Jets’ 2026-27 season
RANDOLPH, NJ — Local youth hockey players, coaches, and families gathered this past Sunday, August 23, for Jets Fest, a daylong season kickoff celebration at SportsCare Arena, presented in partnership with Total Orthopedics & Sports Medicine and
SportsCare Physical Therapy.
Nearly 200 members of the community turned out for the event, which opened with an NJ Jets 12U AA game and closed with an alumni game that brought back 20 former Jets players to the ice. Throughout the day, families took part in public skate sessions, outdoor games and vendor activities, a Zamboni photo opportunity, a coaches dunk tank, a hockey shooting lane, golf and hockey simulator games, cornhole, T-shirt painting, and health and wellness offerings.
Giveaways and raffles throughout the day included suite tickets, hockey gear, skate sharpening, and youth program vouchers, with winners announced over the course of the afternoon. The event raised over $1,500 for the New Jersey Jets Youth Hockey Foundation.
“Days like this are exactly why we do this work. Seeing the arena packed with kids, families, and coaches, all excited for the season ahead, is what youth hockey should feel like,” said Nicole Obuch, General Manager of SportsCare Arena. “Partnering with Total Orthopedics Sports Medicine and SportsCare Physical Therapy meant we could give families more than a great day of hockey — we could give them real resources to keep their kids and families healthy and safe all season long.”
The NJ Jets, a 23-team program, are led by local brothers Steven and Bobby Jones, who serve as the club’s Hockey Directors. Steven Jones also enters this season as the new Head Coach of Randolph High School’s boys ice hockey team.
“This club has grown so much over the years, and days like Jets Fest are what remind everyone why we do it,” said Steven and Bobby Jones, NJ Jets Hockey Directors. “Getting our kids and families out here with our alumni, our sponsors, and the whole community, all in one place, is exactly the kind of energy we want heading into the season.”
The day also included a wellness component: SportsCare Physical Therapy offered free functional movement screenings, and Dr. Mike Shindle of Total Orthopedics; Sports Medicine held a Q&A session on youth athlete health and injury prevention.
Dr. Shindle discussed the importance of age-appropriate off-ice training, strength and movement development, recovery, hydration and sound nutrition as part of a comprehensive approach to youth athlete health. These principles complement USA Hockey’s emphasis on age-appropriate athlete development and creating healthy habits that support players both on and off the ice.
“If we want to grow the game of hockey and keep players on the ice, we need to focus on player safety and the steps we need to take to care for our bodies long before an injury happens,” said Dr. Mike Shindle of Total Orthopedics; Sports Medicine. “Total Orthopedics; Sports Medicine is a proud community partner for this exciting season kickoff event for our NJ Jets.”
SportsCare Physical Therapy’s screenings gave families a direct look at how the partnership supports players well beyond game day.
“A functional movement screening is such a simple thing, but it can catch an issue before it ever turns into an injury,” said Jen Andrews, SportsCare Physical Therapy. “SportsCare Physical Therapy is thrilled to team up with our Jets players and families this upcoming season.”
Jets Fest reflects SportsCare Arena’s ongoing commitment to the NJ Jets youth hockey club and to supporting player health and accessibility to the sport across New Jersey.