FRASER, Mich. – Brandon Graham came to the Metro Jets last season as a bit of a wild card.
He ended the season a national champion.
This season, the 20-year-old Clawson native wants to see that happen again.
“Last season, I was fortunate enough to play with some of the league’s best players like Connor Inger and great leadership out of Griffin Sawyer really rubbed off on us returners last year,” Graham said. “With our teams ‘hate to lose’ mentality and our great coaching staff, it really makes everyone give that extra effort and naturally get better.
“I hope we keep our success going all the way to the end of the season. We have a good group of guys this year again. Winning it all last season – there aren’t many feelings that are better. Makes me want to work hard to win another one.”
Jets coach-GM Justin Quenneville has been enamored with Graham’s potential and his willingness to do whatever it takes to improve his game.
“Graham is all Jet,” said Quenneville. “This kid would do anything for this organization, has always carried a positive attitude to the rink and is a team-first player. He has really immersed himself into a two-way forward and has quietly scored some big goals for this club this year. He has a great release and we wish he used it all the time. He will be a difficult component to replace next year for many reasons. He comes to the rink every day with a smile on his face and loves being around the team.”
Two seasons ago, Graham skated for the Metro Jr. Jets and skated with the junior team on several occasions., so joining the team was the logical next step.
“I knew a few of the players on the ‘16-17 team and only heard good things about the organization,” said Graham. “I decided to come back to the team this season because I love the organization, teammates and coaches. It really is a great culture here, and it makes us players want to come back.
“It’s awesome playing with former teammates. You really get to bond with the guys, spending every day for months together. I always had a great time on and off the ice with former Jets Jake Stawinski and Andrew Kormos last season.”
Graham added that the Jets program is run with a professional model as the template.
“The organization gives us players so much from the MAT to the locker room,” said Graham. “The team gives up opportunities to skate everyday up to three times a day – that is really nice. Even the workers at the rink treat us amazing, and it’s nice to be walking around the rink and all the workers wearing Metro Jets apparel. All the coaches are great to work with and we can really learn a lot from all of them.”
After this season, Graham will assess all his options to see what makes the most sense moving forward.
“Right now, my short-term goal is to produce more offense for our team any way possible,” Graham said. “Long term, I’m hoping to keep bettering myself to see how far I can take my game.”
