FRASER, Mich. – Brodie Thornton has played two seasons for the Metro Jets and gone to two straight national championship games, winning it all in 2018.
He’s hoping to end his junior hockey career next season on another high note.
“Coming back for one more season was the easiest decision I’ve ever had,” said Thornton, a 1999-born forward from Macomb Township. “I know the coaches and most of the players for next year. The Metro Jets organization is the best I’ve ever played with. The staff that they have and the opportunities they give you make the organization one of the best anywhere. The facility is another major reason why we are who we are.”
Thornton scored the national semifinal-winning goal in 2018 and then helped the Jets to their first national title since 2002 the next day.
In 2017-18, Thornton tallied nine goals and 15 points in 29 games. He improved on those totals last season, going for six goals and 22 points over 45 contests.
Jets coach-GM Justin Quenneville will lean heavily on Thornton for a veteran presence, on and off the ice, next season.
“Brodie deciding to come back is huge,” said Quenneville. “He is a core piece to the program’s continued success the last couple years and everyone will remember his big overtime goal in the national championship semifinal game two years ago. Watching him progress and develop into the person and player he is now has been rewarding for our entire staff. He not only can play multiple positions but can control the game with his decision-making and his ability to create turnovers.
“He already has NCAA schools interested in him and the list will only continue to grow as the season progresses. We also look forward to getting his leadership back.”
For next season, Thornton hopes to have the type of year that can lead to college hockey.
“My personal goals are to just work on little things, critique my hockey game and advance to the next level,” Thornton said. “The team goals are obviously to win a national championship.”
In addition, the Jets have also announced the signing of defenseman Darin Kennedy and forward Bradley Scott.
“We were impressed with Darin’s urgency to develop,” said Quenneville. “He showed well on the ice and we noticed immediate abilities we knew we could help him get stronger with. He has a good skill set and a big shot, but more importantly, wants to work on continuing to develop his game.
“Bradley is a big body who will benefit from our environment. He is committed to working on his overall game here but should fit in immediately with his skill set.”
Kennedy, a 2002 birth year from Detroit, played a split 2018-19 season with the Jimmy John’s U16 team and USPHL’s Motor City Hockey Club.
“I practiced with the Jets this past spring, and I enjoyed the interactions with the coaching staff, the competitive spirit of the team, and the quality of the players,” Kennedy said. “The Metro Jets organization is known and respected for its long tradition of success and for player development. The coaches pay close attention to detail, and they are excellent at communicating their thoughts and desires to the players.”
Scott is originally from Flat Rock, but moved with his family to Lexington, S.C., in 2016.
Last year, he double rostered with Columbia Fusion High School and the Columbia Cyclones 18U team. His high school team made it to the South Carolina state championship game which ended in a nail-biter shootout following no score in overtime.
“I like everything about the Jets,” said Scott. “Coach Justin Quenneville’s experience and the way he communicated on and off the ice were both big selling points to me. I am aware of the team’s reputation for advancing players and championship runs and hope to help continue that this season.”
