COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Even on days when the Columbus Blue Jackets do not play at home, the work continues inside Nationwide Arena.

As soon as one game ends, preparations begin for the next game and that includes the work done by Ian Huffman, the ice technician for Nationwide Arena.

“I’ve been down here at the arena for 13 years,” Huffman said. “It’s myself, and then for games, I have a crew of 15 that comes in to work.”

Huffman often arrives at work before dawn on non-game days to prepare the ice for teams to practice. That preparation includes watering the ice, checking its temperature and measuring its depth.

It’s a job Huffman enjoys.

“You get to be a part of the team that puts all of it together,” he said. “I have a great crew that works for me, a great arena crew and everybody here just being a part of it. Obviously, it’s exciting now playing hockey in May and hopefully, we can keep it rolling.”

Huffman’s work has prompted the NHL to invite him to help prepare the ice at nine Winter Classics.