MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. – Compiling eye-popping numbers the past two seasons for the Metro Jets has led to a major opportunity for goaltender Daniel Miscavish.

Late last month, the Macomb, Mich., native committed to play and attend New England College, an NCAA Division III school in Henniker, N.H., that has seen its share of Jets players come through and play for the Pilgrims during recent years.

“I loved the location of the school and the outdoors up north in New Hampshire,” Miscavish said. “Just the amount of guys from the Jets that are currently there and plan on going there, it’s always nice to be somewhere you’re comfortable with, and I’m excited to be a part of it.”

Connor Inger, Trevor Momot, and Andrew Kormos, three Jets players who were part of the 2018 national championship team, finished their four years at NEC this past spring, while Jhuwon Davis and Anthony Cinato, two more players from the 2018 team, will be returning in the fall with Kam Hellman, Miscavish’s teammate the past two years, also heading to play for the Pilgrims.

Miscavish said it “feels great” in taking the next step in his hockey and academic careers.

“It shows me how I’ve progressed through my youth,” he said. “It truly does make it feel like this whole path for me was worth it. The steps it takes to get to the next level is never easy, but I’m glad it all worked out for me. I’m looking forward to getting back into the whole school setup which has been lacking for a couple years now, looking to get a business degree in management or administration. The change from only hockey to now school and hockey will be difficult, but I’m confident it will come easy to me.”

During his two seasons with the Jets, Miscavish, who was a USPHL All-Star both years, went a combined 29-1-5 with a 1.74 goals-against average, a .931 save percentage and five shutouts during the regular season. He also led both the MJDP and Jets teams to the past two USPHL National Tournaments, coming within one game of the semifinals in 2021 and going all the way to the title game this past March.

The Jets staff has seen Miscavish’s game blossom and both coach-GM Justin Quenneville and goaltending coach Randy Wilson are thrilled that he’s off to play in the NCAA ranks.

“We want to congratulate Danny on his commitment,” Quenneville said. “He garnered a lot of NCAA attention while playing here and deservingly so. His numbers were off the charts, he is big, aggressive, athletic, and can play the puck with the best of them. NEC is getting a great goalie and even better person. Not only does he compete every minute he is on the ice, but he does it with a smile. We wish Danny the best of luck and continued success.”

“It’s been great working with Danny the last few years and see him develop into the player he is now,” added Wilson. “Danny did a great job here and took advantage of the environment. We know his determination and success will translate to the NCAA level.”

Once he hits the ice with the Pilgrims, Miscavish said he’s planning to take the same approach he did with the Jets.

“I hope to always bring the same energy and play level that I did with the Jets, whether that’s playing the game or backing up,” Miscavish said. “I always took pride in always being ready no matter what my situation is and making everyone else he just as excited as I am to play the game. I want to continue to grow my game and keep playing good hockey.

“Playing for the Jets led to amazing development in my play, and the way this program was set up and how it’s run is truly first-class and makes it special to anyone playing there. The focus is on you to be a better version of yourself, on and off the ice. ‘Q’ and (Jets associate coach) Jamie (Lovell) know when to have fun but also know how to push you to become a better person and player. I also want to thank Randy for everything he has done for me.”

Miscavish said that even though he has committed to New England College, there is no way he came this far alone.

“I would like to thank everyone who’s been a part of my journey,” said Miscavish. “A big thank you to my entire family but a special thank you to my Nana and my Aunt Fran. They’ve been there every step of the way for the past two years and they never missed a game, whether that was watching it on HockeyTV or being there in person. They were also so supportive and seeing that made me want to play better and continue to make memories.”

Speaking of memories, Miscavish has many from the past two years, with one standing out above the rest.

“I’d have to say my favorite memory was during my first season with MJDP in that playoff series,” Miscavish said. “The energy in that building was something I never experienced and seeing all the other fellas from the program there made it special. That game led to us taking a trip to nationals and possibly the greatest locker room celebration of all time, the screaming of all of us, and the music blasting in the background.

“That still brings goosebumps to this day.”

The ECHL announced on Thursday that linesman Christopher Williams has been named the recipient of the 2021-22 Ryan Birmingham Memorial Award.

The award honors an On-Ice Official for his contributions and dedication to the league officiating staff and is determined in voting of ECHL On-Ice Officials. It is named in honor of ECHL linesman Ryan Birmingham, who tragically lost his life in an automobile accident in May 2007.

“It is a great honor to receive the Ryan Birmingham Memorial Award,” Williams said. “I would like to thank my fellow teammates for selecting me for this distinguished award. Whenever you are selected for anything by your peers it is an honor, but to be selected by your teammates in professional hockey with the officials I take the ice with every night, is an incredible feeling.

“There are countless people and mentors that I want to thank who have helped me get to this point in my career but first off, I would like to thank my parents, Richard and Kelly, and the rest of my family for supporting me and making sacrifices while I chase my goals,” Williams continued. “I would also like to acknowledge the staff, supervisors and instructors with USA Hockey Officiating Development Program, Detroit AAA and Flint, Michigan officiating groups for the support and opportunities throughout the journey. Next, I would like to thank the athletic trainers, equipment managers and support staff that go out of their way to help us when we need them to do our jobs. Finally, to Mr. Kelly, Ryan Crelin, Joe Ernst, Stephen Thomson, office staff and Development Coaches: I cannot describe how grateful I am for giving me the opportunity and developing me to be an official in the ECHL. The ECHL has given me countless memories and experiences that I will be forever grateful for.”

Williams spent time with the Metro Jets during the 2014-15 season, collecting two goals and five points in 24 games.

The 2021-22 season was Williams’ sixth season overall in the ECHL, and his fifth as a full-time official. During the 2019-20 season, he was selected to work the Warrior/ECHL All-Star Classic in Wichita and earlier this season, he worked one of the outdoor games in Toledo as part of the Walleye’s Winterfest. During the 2022 Kelly Cup Playoffs, he was selected to the Conference Finals for the fourth time and the Kelly Cup Finals for the third time in his ECHL career. Williams, who is in his fourth season working games in the American Hockey League, was a full-time official for USA Hockey prior to joining the ECHL, working games in the North American Hockey League during the 2016-17 season.

“I would like to congratulate Christopher on being nominated by his teammates for the Ryan Birmingham Award,” said ECHL Manager of Officiating Operations Stephen Thomson. “Christopher has developed into a great role model and leader that new ECHL officials have learned to lean on for on and off-ice advice. In addition to his generous time given as a mentor off the ice, at the rink Chris brings the professionalism, attitude, and dedication necessary to be a top end ECHL official.”

The ECHL will present the award to Williams during the 2022-23 season.

The 2007-08 edition of the ECHL Rule Book was dedicated to the memory of Birmingham, who was featured on the back cover, and ECHL on-ice officials wore a commemorative patch on their left shoulder that had 60, which is the number that Birmingham wore, and the initials RJB.

Birmingham began his officiating career when he was 12 years old in the Southgate Minor Hockey Association and worked his way into the USA Hockey Junior Officiating Development Program in 2003. Birmingham was hired as a full-time linesman by the ECHL in 2006 and worked 83 games in the regular season and four games in the Kelly Cup Playoffs, including his final game, Florida at Charlotte, on April 17, 2007.

There are 41 former ECHL officials who worked as part of the NHL officiating team in 2021-22 with referees Reid Anderson, Jake Brenk, Francis Charron, Tom Chmielewski, Mitch Dunning, Trevor Hanson, Beau Halkidis, Ghislain Hebert, Jean Hebert, Marc Joannette, Pierre Lambert, T.J. Luxmore, Peter MacDougall, Michael Markovic, Wes McCauley, Jon McIsaac, Dean Morton, Dan O’Rourke, Brian Pochmara, Kevin Pollock, Kyle Rehman, Chris Rooney, Carter Sandlak, Graham Skilliter, Furman South, Justin St. Pierre and Ian Walsh and linesmen Steve Barton, Ryan Daisy, Julien Fournier, Brandon Gawryletz, Mitchell Hunt, Trent Knorr, Matt MacPherson, Jesse Marquis, Kilian McNamara, Bevin Mills, C.J. Murray, Kory Nagy, Ben O’Quinn and Bryan Pancich.

Thirty-eight of the 71 referees working in the American Hockey League in 2021-22, came from the ECHL, while 95 of the 169 linesmen in the AHL have worked games in the ECHL.

MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. – Jacob Lawrence is quite familiar with the Metro Jets having skated for De La Salle Collegiate last season out of Mount Clemens Ice Arena, the Jets’ home rink.

This upcoming season, the 2004-born Washington Township, Mich., native will simply change locker rooms as he has signed to play for the Jets.

“I signed with the Jets because I wanted to continue my hockey career and the Jets are one of the best teams around,” said Lawrence, a forward who registered nine goals and 17 points in 23 games last season for the Pilots. “How they treat their players is a huge appeal for me and I know they have a great coaching and player staff.

“I feel I can bring a lot of grit and some skill to the team next season, and I am looking forward to getting started.”

Jets coach-GM Justin Quenneville has seen up close what Lawrence can do on the ice, and he is excited to see how his high school experience can help him transition to the USPHL.

“We are familiar with Jacob and have worked with him firsthand,” said Quenneville. “He works hard, plays the game the right way, and comes from a program with exceptional coaching at De La Salle. More importantly, he has a good head on his shoulders and is a great kid. He wants to learn and invest in himself to get more opportunities in the future. We look forward to working with him and helping him develop.”

Going forward, Lawrence has simple goals in mind.

“Short term, I want to make an impact with the Jets,” he said. “And long term, I want to do all I can to make it to the next level and play college hockey.”

MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. – During Cristian Adragna’s two seasons with the Metro Jets, he always seemed to make something happen every time he hit the ice.

Now, the 20-year-old from Rochester Hills, Mich., will get to bring that passion and intensity to the college hockey world after recently committing to NCAA Division III Trine University, an NCHA school located in Angola, Ind.

“Trine appealed to me for so many reasons,” Adragna said. “I loved how the school was a close-knit campus and not scattered everywhere, the location and being close to home, as well as their hockey program and the way they run things. Making this commitment is a dream come true. As a kid growing up in the hockey hub Michigan is, it was a dream to play NCAA hockey, and having this opportunity in front of me is just beyond what I imagined.

“As a freshman, I hope I can fit in both in the classroom and on the ice easily. With Trine being a smaller school, I hope to establish relationships with all of my classmates very quickly. As for on the ice, I hope I can make an instant impact on the team. They had a very good season last year and I only hope I can help them go even farther into the playoffs this upcoming season.”

In the classroom, Adragna, who served as an alternate captain this season, is looking to major in Business.

“Academically I expect nothing but the best from Trine, and I can’t be more excited,” said Adragna. “Getting back into the swing of school will be fun. After two years of not being in a classroom, I think it will be awesome to get back to the student-athlete mentality and be the best in both worlds, the classroom and the ice.”

During his two seasons with the Jets, Adragna collected 34 goals and 86 points in 73 regular-season games, adding 11 goals and 15 points in 13 USPHL playoff games.

“Every year we are blessed to have players invest in themselves and the Jets to develop and advance,” said Jets coach-GM Justin Quenneville. “Cristian was a different breed. He took it to another level and took what he did seriously. It was evident in his preparation, leadership and, naturally, his play. He is a player every coach wants on his team and every coach hates to play against. The attention he draws on the ice was impressive and his maturity to play through some of it was as well. Not only is he a bull on the ice, but he can score, play in all situations and back all of it up with his toughness. We were lucky to have him here and help him reach his goals, and Trine is lucky to have him for the next four. ‘Drags’ had many NCAA options, but ultimately chose Trine, and we wish him the best of luck.”

“Cristian is so strong on his skates and his speed makes him an absolute force on the ice,” added Jets associate coach Jamie Lovell. “He really raised the level of his game during the playoffs, and it really showed during the national championship. We’re going to miss him, but Trine is getting a great character player for their program, and we wish him all the best as he starts the next chapter of his life and hockey career.”

Adragna said his time in a Jets uniform has “honestly been one of the biggest blessings in my life.”

“The entire coaching staff cares so much about the players and making sure they get what they need to succeed,” Adragna said. “There are honestly too many people to thank when it comes to this. From Pete Cammick to Coach Q, Jamie, (assistant coaches) Tina (Ciraulo), Randy (Wilson), and Dan (Pszenyczny) teaching us all season long, to Matt (Prieur) and Doug (Bailey) broadcasting our games, to Matt Mackinder with all of the media and announcing of games in the arena, I cannot thank them all enough. These people are what make the Metro Jets the Metro Jets. There is an unconditional amount of love that everyone has for each other in the organization which is why this place is so special.

“To all of the coaches, thank you for believing in myself and your players this season. I know I speak for the players of the organization when I say that you guys are the best thing that happened to us. To impact the lives of young boys and watch them become men is difficult to do, but you all managed to do so, and I couldn’t be happier that it was you guys that have been with us every step of the way. Being a Jet is more than just a jersey – it’s a way of life. So thank you from the bottom of my heart to this organization and all it has done for me.”

Going further, Adragna said he will miss being able to throw on the Jets jersey on a daily basis.

“What I will remember most about my time as a Jet are the relationships I made,” said Adragna. “Putting it into words just does not do justice to what all of these people mean to me, it just simply doesn’t. All of my teammates and coaches and experiences I had over my two seasons are the some of the greatest things that has ever happened to me.”

Off the ice, Adragna said his biggest supporters helped him realize his gift to play hockey has given him memorable junior hockey memories and more to come at Trine.

“I want to thank my entire family for everything that they have done for me on this long journey,” said Adragna. “The unconditional amount of love and support you guys gave me throughout this whole process is just amazing. I wouldn’t be able to do anything without them. I love you all more than you can know, so from the bottom of my heart, just thank you, all.”

MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. – Robert Poliski is pretty familiar with Mount Clemens Ice Arena.

Having been on skates since he was six years old, the 2003-born Macomb, Mich., native, who played for Dakota High School the past three years at the rink, has signed with the USPHL’s Metro Jets to begin his junior hockey career in 2022-23.

“When the Jets moved to Mount Clemens, which has been my home rink since I began skating at six years old, I knew it was the team I wanted to play with,” said the talented defenseman affectionately known as “Bert” by his teammates. “What appeals to me is the professionalism of the coaching staff, how successful the program is, and how they move guys to the next level. I have gotten to know the coaches over the past year, and they are great. They not only care about the game of hockey, but also the development and college futures of its players.”

Last season with Dakota, Poliski compiled four goals and 14 points in 25 games.

Jets coach-GM Justin Quenneville loves what Poliski can bring to the organization.

“We are looking forward to working with ‘Bert,’” Quenneville said. “Not only did we have a chance to see him skate with us, but we have been able to see his character and leadership all year in the building. His immediate abilities are noticeable with his physicality and big shot, but he is a player who wants to learn and develop. Many of the guys know him well and he will fit in the Jets’ culture great.”

Poliski calls himself a stay-at-home defenseman who enjoys the physical side to the game and said that is what he wants to bring to the Jets.

“I’ve been fortunate to have great youth hockey coaches over the years that have made me the player I am today,” said Poliski.

Looking ahead, Poliski has attainable goals, both on and off the ice.

“In the short term, I want to work on my game this summer to contribute to the team right away next season,” Poliski said. “My long-term goal is to move to the next level in hockey. College is also very important to me, with the long-term goal of a bachelor’s degree in business.”

MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. – Will Augustine came to the Metro Jets prior to the 2018-19 season looking for playing time and the chance to improve his game to potentially have a shot at college hockey if the opportunity presented itself.

That opportunity started with playing for the MJDP, then the Metro Jets , and now has evolved into the NCAA.

Augustine, a 2001-born Livonia, Mich., native who turned 21 on May 8, leaves the Jets as the USPHL’s all-time shutouts leader and has recently committed to play NCAA Division III hockey next season at Rivier University, a newer program with its campus located in Nashua, N.H.

“The thing I found most appealing about Rivier was being a part of a young team and having the opportunity to make an immediate impact going into my freshman year,” said Augustine. “The coaching staff is very knowledgeable, bringing competitive expectations, and also has a goalie coach present daily that can continue to help me make adjustments in my game. Also, it’s a smaller school that will help me get back into the swing of things academically for the smoothest transition possible.

“It’s very exciting to make this commitment and getting the opportunity to play at the NCAA level and getting a great education at the same time. I hope to come in my freshman year and really bond with all the guys and get as much chemistry going as early as possible. I know they have quite a few new guys for next year as well, so I won’t be the only one coming to a new team.”

Academically, Augustine is looking at a business/marketing major, saying, “It will definitely be a different step for me at the beginning, but I’m confident I’ll be able to adjust to the college life fast.”

Over the course of his time with the Jets, Augustine and the Jets made the USPHL National Championships each year, going to the title game in 2019 and 2022. Overall, Augustine went 55-14-0 with a 1.91 GAA and a .934 save percentage, notching 12 shutouts in a Jets uniform.

“Will has come a long way in his time with the Jets,” said Jets coach-GM Justin Quenneville. “He is a perfect example of development and commitment. He started with the MJDP, which provided him the same platform and opportunities. He was able to get ample playing time and attention. Will took advantage of it and continued to progress. Fast forward a few years later, and he is between the pipes for the national championship game just over a month ago and now an NCAA commitment. He has done a great job focusing on his game and maturing every year. We are fortunate to have a full-time experienced goalie coach in Randy Wilson to guide our guys and it’s a big reason for our continued success in net. Our goalies get the development, the exposure and, ultimately, the advancement because of our platform and relationships.

“Rivier has a strong program with exceptional coaching. He will fit in great. We wish Will the best of luck.”

Wilson mirrored Quenneville’s sentiments.

“I’m extremely happy to see that Will has committed to NCAA Rivier University to continue his hockey career,” said Wilson. “To witness his development and growth as a competitive goaltender over the past four years has been very rewarding for me as his coach. From the first day he joined our Metro Jets program, he has always displayed a very mature attitude and a solid work ethic to become an elite junior goaltender. No doubt he will bring the same qualities to Rivier.

“I know that Coach (Matthew) Keating’s Raiders hockey team is getting a quality goalie that will prove to be a valuable asset, both on the ice and in the classroom.”

All the accolades aside, Augustine said the Jets program helped him take strides in his game and gave him the confidence that he would not have had elsewhere.

“Coming from a struggling high school hockey team my sophomore and junior year, the Metro Jets gave me a great opportunity to keep playing hockey and at a great level,” Augustine said. “Four years later, I’m leaving the Jets with an NCAA scholarship and a ton more experience than when I first came in. I matured volumes as a person and am leaving with a lot more confidence in my game. I can’t thank my family and close friends, especially the Jets coaching staff, and previous coaches enough for being a great support system through everything I’ve faced and helping me better myself every day.
“I give a special thanks to my mom and dad (Marsha and John) for all the long car rides to tournaments over the years and countless cold rinks early in the morning any day of the week, whether it meant missing work or traveling while being sick or tired. Randy also had a huge part in me playing for the Jets as I was recruited out of high school by him from the reference of Dan Phelps. Working with Randy every day for the past four years really helped get me ready to play and compete at the college level and is someone I’ll never forget. He made a huge impact on me as a hockey player through confidence and faith in me but made an even bigger impact in my life as a person teaching me many life lessons along the way.”

And in reflecting on how fast the past four seasons have gone by, Augustine said he will never forget the countless memories made with the Jets organization.

“I will always remember our 2019 China trip as a whole,” said Augustine. “Between us winning bronze in the tournament and (Jets associate head coach) Jamie (Lovell) singing ‘I Want It That Way’ at karaoke is something I will remember for a lifetime. Our trip to nationals this year stands out, making it all the way to the final game. Even though we didn’t win it all, it was a great journey with some great people, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything else.

“I would do it all over again every single time and can’t thank the staff members and all the teammates I had over the last four years enough for the memories and friendships that were made along the way.”

MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. – There is an old adage that says when one door closes, another one opens.

Or in the Metro Jets’ case, when one Hellman graduates to college hockey, another one joins the current roster.

Ethan Hellman, a 2004 birth year from Macomb, Mich., is the younger brother of Kam Hellman, who played the past two seasons with the Jets and will be playing at the NCAA level in the fall for New England College.

The younger Hellman has signed with the Jets for the 2022-23 USPHL season after three seasons at Cranbrook, a school where former Jets players Kevin Shand, Kyle Gierman, Justin Song, and Kam Hellman all played.

“I’ve always followed the Jets due to my brother being on the team and was able to come to skate with the Jets and meet the players,” Hellman said. “I really like everything about the program and feel like it is a great fit for me.

“The team’s success over the years really draws me toward the program and wanting to become a Jet. Also, with my time around the guys, both on and off the ice, I have seen how great the relationships are. Kam speaks nothing but great things about the team and the guys, and I really want to be a part of it.”

Last season for Cranbrook, Hellman averaged better than a point per game with seven goals and 25 points in 24 games.

Jets coach-GM Justin Quenneville sees vast potential in Hellman.

“We are thrilled to have Ethan here this upcoming season,” said Quenneville. “He has skated with us during the season, and we have followed him during his time at Cranbrook. He had a very successful high school career, and we are hoping he can transition that to the junior level. He has speed, skill and size that we are looking forward to working with. We were fortunate to work with his brother Kam who had a stellar junior career and is now heading out to play NCAA hockey, and our goal is to provide the same platform for Ethan. I don’t doubt he will take advantage of this, and I know he is eager to get started.”

Hellman said he has done his homework on what it takes to be a Jet.

“I feel that I can add a lot to the team,” said Hellman. “My drive and grit can add a great amount of success to the team. Also, I believe my skill in the offensive zone can help lead the team to more victories. Throughout my youth hockey days, I have learned what it takes to be the best player I possibly can be. I have learned how much strength and will it takes to become a junior hockey player.”

Moving forward, Hellman has his eye on staying on the ice as long as possible.

“My short-term goals for my junior career are that I want to be playing in the best possible league for me,” Hellman said. “I want to become the best player I can be. After my junior hockey career, I hope to play in college and, hopefully, overseas.”

MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. – Jake Howie played junior hockey, NCAA Division III hockey, and won a minor pro championship during his earlier days on the ice.

He has since traded in his skates for a whistle and white board, and after a season serving as an assistant coach for the NAHL’s Minot Minotauros, will be joining the USPHL’s Metro Jets organization for the upcoming 2022-23 season.

“I had a couple of conversations with ‘Q’ (Jets coach-GM Justin Quenneville) over the last little bit here and he expressed how there was an open position with the staff,” Howie said. “I just felt it was an awesome opportunity to come back home and join an organization that has an incredible reputation both on and off the ice.

“I want to thank Minot for the time I got to spend there as both a player and coach. I learned a lot from the entire organization and the city with always a hold a special place in my heart.”

Howie, a 27-year-old native of Grand Blanc, Mich., skated on the back end for the Flint Jr. Generals during his junior career, later advancing to Minot before playing four years for Marian University (NCAA) in Fond Du Lac, Wisc. After college, Howie spent time in the pro ranks, winning a Federal Prospects Hockey League title with the Columbus River Dragons in 2020.

Last season, Howie ventured back to Minot and got his feet wet behind the bench.

In his talks with Quenneville, it became obvious that Howie would make a fantastic addition to the Jets coaching staff.

“Obviously, we are excited to bring Jake in,” Quenneville said. “He is someone I have known a long time dating back to coaching days in the NAHL. He will fit in great here with his background and ability. He is eager to bring his experiences here and help develop our players. Even though we have many relationships at the NAHL/NCDC and NCAA levels, Jake coaching in the NAHL last season will bring more opportunities for our guys since he has a good pulse on everything. Our players will love working with an energetic and knowledgeable hockey mind. He will be involved all aspects with helping our players’ development and exposure.

“Our program takes pride in providing the best platform for players to get want they need and adding Jake will only elevate that more. He was someone I wanted years ago as a player, and now he is someone I want here as a coach. I am glad we were able to make it work, and our program will be better for it.”

Howie noted how staying in touch over the years with Quenneville was crucial in moving up the coaching ranks.

“I’ve known Q for nearly nine years, going back to when he was coaching Corpus Christi in the NAHL and I was playing for Flint and he offered me a tender contract,” said Howie. “From there, Q was huge in my development, both on and off the ice, in the coming months leading into tryouts that summer. Q and I have stayed in touch over the years, and I couldn’t be more excited to join a staff with him and the other coaches and have the ability to learn and develop as a coach every day from a group with such great experience and insight.”

As the benchmark for player development in the USPHL and across the junior hockey world, the Jets stress that aspect of the game over wins and losses, something Howie is on board with going forward.

“Obviously, we want to have good players on the ice, but we want to have a group that is better people off the ice,” Howie said. “I think with both my playing experience and a year of coaching experience in the NAHL that I can help not only develop our players’ abilities on the ice but help them continue to develop as great people off the ice as well.”

In playing and coaching at a high level, Howie said he has gained knowledge surrounding the game that he can now bring to Mount Clemens.

“My playing career was one where I was never the most skilled or best player on the ice, so I had to bring a hardworking determination to my game to achieve what I wanted,” said Howie. “After a year of coaching, I quickly learned that the most skilled team doesn’t win every night. In most cases, the team that will come away with a victory on a given night is the team that works the hardest and is the most detailed in their game. My hope is to help Metro be the hardest working and most detailed team on the ice every night, which should bring us quite a bit of success.

“The Jets have a storied history in junior hockey, and I think everyone would say we want to win a national championship this next season. Truly what I want and expect from this team is for everyone to come and bring their very best every day and grow both on and off the ice. I’m extremely excited to come back to coach to an area that I will always consider home and that gave me so much as a player with all my youth hockey being played in the Detroit area.”

Howie, who is relocating to the area, has family spread out all over the United States. His father Bruce lives in Tallahassee, Fla., mom Nancy in Midland, Mich., sister Rebecca in Arlington, Va., and a sister Katy in Memphis, Tenn. He also has extended family in Metro Detroit.

MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. – New York native Nick Ceccarini has played the last four seasons for the Metro Jets, living away from home in the Detroit suburbs to play junior hockey in the USPHL.

Next season, the Miller Place, N.Y., product will return to Michigan after recently committing to attend and play college hockey for Lawrence Tech University in Southfield.

Ceccarini said that LTU has all that he was looking for, on and off the ice.

“What stood out most to me about Lawrence Tech was that they have a very competitive hockey team, and they also have a very strong program for my major in video game design,” said Ceccarini. “I’m very proud to make this commitment because I have played hockey my whole life and always wanted to continue playing at the college level. After all the preparation on and off the ice up to now, I have achieved my goal of playing college hockey. I am also very excited to start my journey into the game design world at a school that excels in my major.

“I hope to make an immediate impact on the team offensively and leave everything on the ice. Game art and design has been my second hobby to hockey since I could remember. Getting back into school after three gap years is going to definitely be interesting, but I’m looking forward to starting that new chapter of my life.”

Over the course of his time with the Jets, Ceccarini also set a USPHL record for games played, finishing with 195 combined between the regular season and playoffs.

Jets coach-GM Justin Quenneville saw tremendous consistency from Ceccarini when he arrived prior to the 2018-19 season as a 17-year-old to the conclusion of the 2021-22 season.

“It amazing to see how far Nick has matured, on and off the ice,” said Quenneville. “When a player like him has been with our program this long, you look back at so many moments – his big goal at USPHL Nationals with 20 seconds left as a rookie to help us get to the championship game, his trip to China helping our team represent the USA and bring home a bronze medal, his postseason moments when he always came up big, his callups to the NCDC, and his work ethic and commitment to the program helping the next wave of first-year players to look up to.

“He was a Jet from the start, and we are excited for his next chapter. He is a high-character young man matched with great hockey instincts and skill. Nick was in a unique position having college options but was fortunate to find the perfect setup for his choice degree. We wish him the best of luck and look forward to seeing him locally for the next several years.”

During his time with the Jets, Ceccarini was called up to NCDC teams on two separate occasions and went to the USPHL National Championship Tournament all four years, playing in the title game twice (2019, 2022).

Jets associate head coach Jamie Lovell added that replacing Ceccarini next season will not be an easy task.

“It’s been an incredible four years of growth and maturity for Nick,” Lovell said. “I think of it as a four-year degree in hockey and life education. And if that’s the case, Nick would be graduating with honors at the top of his class. LTU is getting a fine young man and hockey player to grow their program. His high hockey IQ and offensive skills will allow him to transition easily to college hockey. There’s no doubt that Nick will be successful both on the ice and in college life.

“We wish him all the best, but we know he’s not too far as LTU is in our backyard, so we look forward to seeing him this summer helping him train and prepare and watching him next season.”

Overall, Ceccarini collected 51 goals and 80 assists for 131 points in 173 regular-season games while adding 11 goals and 14 points in 22 postseason contests.

“Playing for the Metro Jets has really structured me as a hockey player to not only get stronger physically, but also to build great habits and really get me prepared to play at the college level,” Ceccarini said. “It also showed me why I love the sport so much. Not just on the ice but having that second family to make great memories with and go through thick and thin with is truly amazing and I’m beyond happy I got to be a part of the Metro Jets organization for the past four years of my life.

“I thank the entire coaching staff for putting the same amount of effort into me as I gave to them. Whether it’s something as simple as carrying a bag to the bus after a game or making me a better hockey player on the ice, every coach was willing to do whatever it would take to get me prepared for college to play where I truly wanted to play in the future. I also would like to thank all of the players over the last four seasons for really making my junior hockey career an experience I will never forget.”

Ceccarini added that he has his two biggest supporters back home on Long Island.

“Being from New York, I have to thank my parents (Nick and Dawn) for giving me the opportunity to live away from home to pursue what I love most, playing hockey,” Ceccarini said. “Anything I need, they are more than happy to help with. Lastly, I have to thank my billet families for opening up their homes for me to stay and really becoming one of their family members.

“I will definitely remember most the friendships and all the brothers I’ve made within the last four years. All the memories we’ve made together and all the stories we have to tell are priceless, and I couldn’t ask for anything more from such a family. I will forever be a Metro Jet.”

MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. – Tyler Husted posted impressive offensive numbers this season for Canton High School.

Averaging better than two points per game for the Chiefs, the talented forward went for 26 goals and 59 points in just 24 games for his hometown Chiefs.

The Metro Jets are banking on Husted bringing that scoring upside to the USPHL next season after recently signing the 2004 birth year for the 2022-23 campaign.

“We look forward to start working with Tyler this upcoming season because he is dedicated,” Jets head coach-GM Justin Quenneville said. “We had the opportunity to meet him during the season and again recently with his family, and he can’t wait to get started. He is driven, hardworking, and excited to learn. Tyler is also coming off another successful statistical year and his noticeable skill sets will translate well here. He’s a strong skater, has a great release, and sees the ice really well.

“We know he will continue to put the work in this offseason, and he will draw a lot of attention in a Jets jersey next year.”

Husted skated three seasons for Canton High School, being named Division 2 All-State this past season.

“I ended up signing with the Jets because I got recruited by their scouts and Coach Q, and I was really impressed by what I not only heard from them, but also from what I saw when I came to check out all the facilities,” said Husted. “What really appeals to me about Metro is their high-level program. From their player development and amazing facilities, to how each year they are at the top of their division, making another run for the national championship, the organization is truly dedicated to making players better, on and off the ice.”

And after showcasing his scoring prowess in 2021-22, Husted is confident he can find the net at the junior hockey level, too.

“I feel I can bring my offensive skill set to the team, from my shot and play making to my hockey IQ,” Husted said. “I also feel like my speed and quickness will help bring me success at the junior level and make my transition to a little easier.”

Down the road, Husted is hopeful the work he will put in with the Jets will open more doors for him in the future.

“My short-term goal for hockey is to continue to improve my game and play at the highest level of juniors possible over the next couple years,” said Husted. “My long-term goal for hockey is to play NCAA college hockey after juniors. I also plan to get my degree in marketing and business after juniors as well.”