Jr. Blues Offer Family-Friendly Hockey at Nelson Center

A Springfield Jr. Blues home game has long been a winter tradition for families looking for fast-paced sports and an affordable night out, and fans will have multiple opportunities to catch the team in action at the Nelson Center during the second half of the season.

The Jr. Blues return home next week, hosting the Janesville Jets on Friday, January 30, and Saturday, January 31. Both games are part of a slate of remaining home dates scheduled from late January through April, with most contests played on Friday and Saturday evenings.

For many families, Jr. Blues games provide an easy introduction to hockey. The Nelson Center’s intimate setting allows fans to sit close to the ice, making it easier for younger spectators to follow the action, while the speed and physical play of junior hockey keep the atmosphere energetic throughout the night. Weekend start times also make the games a convenient option for parents and kids alike.

Following the Janesville series, Springfield will host the Fairbanks Ice Dogs on February 13 and 14, followed by home games against the Minnesota Wilderness on February 27 and 28 and again on March 13 and 14. The home schedule continues into April with games against the Chippewa Steel on April 3 and 4, before concluding with a two-game home series against the Wisconsin Windigo on April 10 and 11.

The Springfield Jr. Blues compete in the North American Hockey League, one of the premier junior hockey leagues in the United States and a key development pathway for players advancing to college and professional hockey. Over the years, several former Jr. Blues players have gone on to higher levels of the sport, including goaltender Mike McKenna, who later played in the National Hockey League, and defenseman Mac Gadowsky, who advanced to NCAA Division I hockey at Penn State.

For fans in the stands, a Jr. Blues home game is more than entertainment; it is a chance to watch young athletes compete at a high level while working toward future opportunities in the sport.

Tickets for all Springfield Jr. Blues home games are available online at tickets.jrblues.com and at the Nelson Center box office.