FRASER, Mich. – Josh German made the move to the Metro Jets this year already having a background with the USPHL club.
His older brother, Tyler, played for the Jets in 2018-19 and for the first month of 2019-20 before advancing to the NAHL’s Jamestown Rebels.
Josh then equaled Tyler’s accomplishments by getting a call-up of his own last month to the NCDC’s Twin City Thunder.
“Having my brother on the team the year before was a great opportunity for me to see how his path ends up,” German said. “Before coming to the Jets, I expected what I got and that is a hard-working team that is motivated to move on to the next level.”
For the younger German, a 2002 birth year and Canton native, choosing the Jets has been paying off in big ways this season. He had previously skated and trained with the team at Michigan Athlete Training, the Jets’ training facility inside their home rink, Fraser Hockeyland.
“Personally, the jump to play junior hockey for my senior year of high school was the best decision I could have made,” said German, a speedy defenseman. “I have learned so much in a short period of time and look forward to my future in hockey. As a team, I see big success coming down to the end of the year for us. Everyone comes to the rink with a smile on their face ready to battle out the day. Our success doesn’t just happen. The hard work that all the boys put in, day in day out, is what brings our success and I can’t wait to see our outcome for this season.”
Jets coach-GM Justin Quenneville loves how German has bought in to the development model the program provides for all its players.
“Josh has been fun to watch grow and develop,” Quenneville said. “He was deserving of his call-up to the NCDC and they were very impressed with him. We pride ourselves in giving the players the best chances to develop and advance. Although Josh is young, he has continued to get stronger on and off the ice. He is making better decisions with the puck, and his release and timing are much better as well.
“His skill and skating are noticeable out of the gates but seeing him mature in his position and continue to get better is scary because he has a lot of tools that can play at a lot of levels.”
This season, German has produced three goals and 19 points in 21 games sandwiched around the call-up to the Thunder in mid-November.
“What I bring to the table for the Jets is an offensive defenseman that looks for opportunity at the net, but also making good passes and being positionally sound in both the offensive zone and defensive zone,” said German. “Getting the opportunity to be called up in the NCDC (along with Jets forward Anthony Cinato) was a great experience. Coming back home after that week, I started to notice that my positioning was better as I would work harder to be in the correct spots.”
Looking ahead, German has simple goals in mind for himself.
“My goal for hockey is to work my way to the top level and seek an NCAA Division I college commitment,” German said. “Aside from hockey, I see myself as a businessman/entrepreneur.”
