MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. – The start of the 2023-24 USPHL regular season for the Metro Jets is under two months away and marks the 35th year for the junior hockey organization and perennial national powerhouse.
This season, the Jets and MJDP teams will continue to play in the Premier Division, the Jets in the Great Lakes division and MJDP in the Midwest East, while a new Jets team will play in the Elite Division with five other teams in the Midwest Division.
All Jets home games are played at Mount Clemens Ice Arena (Jets Rink).
“Everyone is eager to get started and excited about our diverse schedule,” said Jets GM Justin Quenneville. “I feel like we hit another home run with regards to bringing versatility and competitiveness throughout the season. In addition, playing in more showcases than any other team continues to prove we provide the best opportunities for our players. Couple this with the most experienced staff and detailed development model, we know our guys will continue to benefit from our program.
“We strive to push the bar every year and adding an Elite schedule will add another layer for our guys to play more games, develop, and maximize exposure.”
The regular season runs through the end of February with the postseason starting in March.
At the Jets’ home opener Sept. 30, the team will host a tribute for defenseman Braydin Lewis, a three-year Jets player (2020-23) who unfortunately lost his battle with cancer in April.
Several key dates to mark on your calendars include:
Sept. 30 – Jets vs. Cincinnati Jr. Cyclones (Braydin Lewis ceremony and jersey retirement)
Nov. 16-20 – USPHL Detroit Showcase, hosted by the Jets
Jan. 20 – Jets vs Toledo Cherokee (Coney Cup)
SEASON OPENERS
Jets Premier: vs. Cincinnati Jr. Cyclones, Sept. 30, 4 p.m. EST, Mount Clemens Ice Arena
MJDP Premier: at Chicago Crush, Sept. 23, 5:10 p.m. EST, Addison Ice Arena
Jets Elite: at Chicago Crush, Sept. 23, 8:05 p.m. EST, Addison Ice Arena
HOME OPENERS
Jets Premier: vs. Cincinnati Jr. Cyclones, Sept. 30, 4 p.m. EST
MJDP Premier: vs. Decatur Blaze, Oct. 6, 6:30 p.m. EST
Jets Elite: vs. Decatur Blaze, Oct. 6, 4 p.m. EST
One of the most intense rivalries not only in the USPHL but in all of junior hockey, the Jets and Toledo Cherokee, kicks off Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. at the Team Toledo IceHouse with the Jets next hosting Toledo on Oct. 29 at 3:30 p.m.
New teams in the Premier Division this season include the Buffalo Stampede and Nashville Spartans. The Jets are in Buffalo Oct. 17-18 and host the Stampede Dec. 15-16. The Jets head to Nashville Nov. 10-11 and then host the Spartans Jan. 12 and Feb. 3.
In addition, all three teams will play in four league showcases over the course of the season. The Premier teams will play in the Jets’ own Detroit showcase Nov. 16-20 at Mount Clemens Ice Arena, along with events in Las Vegas (mid-December), Tampa, Fla. (early January) and Hudson, N.H. (second week of February). The Elite team will skate in the Detroit showcase as well, followed by Fort Wayne, Ind. (second week of November), Tampa and Hudson.
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM PREMIER SCHEDULE
The Great Lakes Division is made up of the Jets, Cincinnati, Toledo, Buffalo, Nashville and Columbus Mavericks, the Midwest East is comprised of the MJDP, Crush, Chicago Cougars, Decatur, Fort Wayne Spacemen, Battle Creek Kernels and Motor City Gamblers, and the Midwest Elite includes the Jets, Fort Wayne, Cougars, Crush, Decatur and Motor City.
Jets training camp is scheduled to begin Tuesday, Sept. 5 at Mount Clemens Ice Arena.
For everything Jets, visit our official website MetroJetsHockey.com as well as our social media pages on Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, and TikTok.
