Cam Janssen remembers the first time he put on ice skates.

It was at the Fenton Forum Ice Rink, just seven miles or so from where he grew up in Eureka, MO.

That's where the dream of becoming a hockey player started. And now that he's a veteran NHLer, it's become even more special when he goes back to that rink.

So on Thursday, when hundreds of fans lined up to see him and teammate Patrik Berglund, it was hard for him to put his excitement into words.

“It’s always good to come out and see a big line like this, especially at this rink, which means a lot to me,” Janssen said. “This is where I started playing hockey, so it means a lot coming here and seeing fans come in like this.

"I think it’s great.”

Janssen's appearance was part of the Blues' annual Rink Tour, which was held from 6 to 7 p.m. at 10 ice rinks in the St. Louis metro area on Thursday. The entire Blues roster was divided among the rinks, where players signed autographs and posed for pictures with fans.

Some players, like Janssen and Berglund, got on the ice and gave hockey tips to several youth hockey players.

The event was presented by Verizon Wireless and Dairy Queen.

The rinks visited this year were: Affton, East Alton, Fenton, FSI Shark Tank, Granite City, Hardee's IcePlex, Kirkwood, St. Louis Mills IceZone, St. Peters Rec-Plex and the U.S. Ice Sports Complex.

This year's Rink Tour was originally scheduled for Dec. 12 but had to be rescheduled due to severe winter weather.