MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. – Seth Francois joined the Metro Jets for his first season of junior hockey in 2020-21, putting up 25 points in 41 games for the MJDP team.
Francois re-signed with the Jets this week for his final junior season, looking to improve on his numbers and round out his game while playing “whatever role the coaches and my teammates need.”
“I have always wanted to play hockey, and I see this as the best opportunity that I have to move to the next level,” said Francois, a 2001 birth year from the tiny Upper Peninsula town of Pelkie, Mich. “I was struggling with the idea of just going to work when I realized that I should really exhaust all of my opportunities for a future in hockey, so I figured I should just go with the best team. We made it to nationals last year and I would love to get there again with this group.”
Jets coach-GM Justin Quenneville said with the unassuming Francois netting 11 goals with 14 assists last season, he’s betting on improved stats in 2021-22.
“We are excited to get Seth back for a myriad of reasons,” said Quenneville. “His character, work ethic and attitude is off the charts for his age. He is a team-first guy and will always be there for his teammates. He developed really well last year and was a staple in the lineup because of his role. I can tell you this, I know several teams and a couple others that have not seen him yet who will be looking over their shoulders. He’s a power forward that plays the game hard and nobody will be able to move him net front.
“He does a lot of little things well all over the ice, but his biggest attribute is his ability to run you over and apologize for it as he looks down on you. We look forward to helping him again this year and to field college opportunities.”
Francois, who turns 20 on August 15, said the Jets organization is successful on so many levels due to the individuals involved in the game for all the right reasons.
“The Jets are such an excellent organization because the coaches are willing to work with any of the guys no matter who you are or what your role is, the resources they provide are amazing, and the amount of exposure they give you is so worth it,” Francois said. “The gym they have is great and the locker room feels like home. The coaches will put in the work to get you to the places you want to go if you are willing to put in the work to get there.
“Last year, I improved on the things I thought I needed to work on, the things I didn’t know I needed to work on, and in doing so, the coaches allowed me to focus on making me a more rounded versatile hockey player, a better teammate, and a better person. The drills the coaches have you do help with everything from skating to control with the puck to improving your vision of the ice.”
With training camp coming up September 1, Francois said he’ll continue to work out and enjoy the weather in the U.P.
