FRASER, Mich. – Brayden Tayles is hoping the third time is the charm with the Metro Jets.
After two solid years with the MJDP team, the 2000-born Waterford, Mich., native is primed to see his game take another step ahead with the upcoming 2020-21 USPHL season.
“Coming back for another year was an easy decision for me,” said Tayles, who served as an alternate captain last season. “Junior hockey itself is such a great experience, and when you partner that with being able to play one more year for an organization as distinguished as the Metro Jets, it just makes the junior experience that much better and my decision to come back that much easier.”
Tayles cited the yearly success the Jets have as a team and in moving players on to college programs and higher-level junior teams as the main reason why the organization is such a gold mine for players and families.
“The ability to maintain a successful all-around team while still keeping the players’ individual success a No. 1 priority is very rare in the junior hockey world,” Tayles said. “The Jets organization is able to do this in an unparalleled way and that’s a big reason why the Jets are considered such a prestigious organization.”
Last year, Tayles recorded four goals and 20 points in 40 games and in 2018-19, registered four goals and 13 points over 43 games.
For Jets coach-GM Justin Quenneville, getting Tayles’ skill set and leadership back for his final season of junior eligibility is a key component to any success the team will have next season.
“It’s great to see players like Brayden today from where they started,” Quenneville said. “He has made huge strides in his game and overall play. He’s a committed player, has bought in since Day 1 and truly became a high-end role player for us. His stats may not show it, but he is a valuable player because of his versatility and consistency. He brings the same effort every day, is mature in his approach to everything he does, and brings an element of quiet leadership by how he carries himself on and off the ice.
“He was easily deserving of wearing an ‘A’ on his jersey last season. We are excited to help him reach his goals this year and expose him to even more collegiate opportunities.”
Tayles saw his poise improve last season, something he wants to keep building on going forward.
“I really settled down and felt more comfortable with the puck on my stick and in bigger game situations,” Tayles said. “I felt much more confident on the ice this past year. This coming year being a third-year guy, I just want to be able to lead by example. I hope to be able to show new guys how to be a Jet, on and off the ice.”
Getting bounced in the second round of the USPHL playoffs last spring was a sour way to end the season, but Tayles is using that experience as a positive for 2020-21.
“That’s just motivation for the upcoming year,” Tayles said. “I know everyone is hungrier than ever and that will drive us to make this season the best one yet.
“For the past month, we’ve been able to train and skate with the guys at the MAT, which is a huge advantage for all of us.”
