FRASER, Mich. – The Metro Jets are using the summer months to shore up their roster for the upcoming 2019-20 USPHL season.
Today, the club announced the signings of 2001 birth year forward Patrick Hays and 2002-born goaltender Kris Eberly.
Both players figure to earn opportunities next season in Fraser.
“We had a big turnout for our ID camp back in the spring and these were two players we liked a lot,” Jets coach-GM Justin Quenneville said. “Hays is coming off a strong AAA season and he is invested in his development. He does a lot of things well on the ice and we feel he would benefit from this environment and take his game to the next level. Much like Patrick, Kris is a young player coming into a junior program ready to work. He has size, athleticism, competed really well in our camp and ultimately chose our program because of Randy.
“Having a goalie coach with that pedigree continues to help our incoming and outgoing goaltenders year in and out. He identified that a junior program can provide more for him naturally and he will have stronger competition, time one ice and opportunity to develop here. We are excited about what Kris can potentially do between the pipes here.”
Hays, a Centerville, Ohio, native who played for the Syracuse Stars 18U team in 2018-19, is elated at the prospect of playing for the Jets in the fall.
“I like the coaching style of the Jets and they are a very good organization with a great reputation,” Hays said. “I have only heard great things about them. I went to the ID camp in May and started talking with Coach Q after. I feel I can bring a positive and hard-working attitude and also score lots of goals.”
Down the line, Hays has his priorities in check, both on and off the ice.
“My short-term goals for this season are to get at least 30 points, get straight A’s, and graduate from high school,” said Hays. “My long-term goals are to play hockey in college, study Exercise Science, and become a physical therapist.”
In goal, Eberly hopes to join a long and distinguished list of Jets netminders who have left their mark on the organization over the years.
“I ended up running into (Jets assistant coach and goaltending coach) Randy Wilson at the Michigan Excellence Camp and fell in love with his style of coaching,” explained Eberly. “The Jets offered me a spot on the team and there was no question that Randy was my best option for my development as a goalie. You can’t beat being coached with a great coach five days a week.”
A Livonia native, Eberly played for Dexter High School last year and then for the Compuware 18U squad in the spring.
“I think what appeals to me about the Jets is that they run an amazing program, have an amazing facility and have an amazing coaching staff,” Eberly said. “With the team working out and practicing each day, you cannot beat that. With me being a younger guy coming into the program, playing against older players is going to give me more experience, maturity and development in the long run.
“I feel I will bring a new level of competitiveness and hard work to help push my teammates to become better and better. My work ethic, drive and determination will benefit myself and my teammates.”
“I was very impressed with his technical skill, but more taken aback by his attitude, work ethic and determination to be an elite goaltender,” Wilson added. “With his drive, skill set and big frame, I am excited to work with him as I believe he is destined for NCAA hockey, like so many of our goalies are every year.”
Like Hays, Eberly has his aspirations in order.
“Ultimately, my goal is to play NCAA Division I hockey,” said Eberly. “In the next couple of years, I’d like to see myself playing in the NCDC or NAHL and maybe someday work up to the USHL.”
