MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. – Jack Mueller saved his best for last.

In his fourth year of junior hockey in 2020-21, Mueller joined the Metro Jets’ blue line and saw his game improve exponentially to the point where college programs were pining for his services next season.

Weighing all his options, the 2000 birth year chose to head home and committed last week to Ohio University, a school in Athens located three hours south of his Sandusky home.

“Ohio and I first came in contact through Coach Q (Jets coach-GM Justin Quenneville) connecting us,” said Mueller. “There was a mutual interest as they had seen me play in the USPHL Chicago Showcase and I had known about the program through being an Ohio kid.

“At OU, I plan on studying journalism and business which are two of their most successful colleges. On the ice, I plan on jumping into whatever role they need me for. Traditionally, I play more defensively, and I plan on taking the good habits Metro taught me to Ohio.”

This past season with the Jets, Mueller compiled four goals and 21 points in 38 regular-season games. He added one assist in five playoff games for the Jets.

“I was excited last offseason when we were able to sign Jack knowing we would have a younger lineup,” said Quenneville. “It was important to bring in some experience and Jack did a great job helping provide that. He was very consistent throughout the season and played a huge role in us winning the league regular-season title and returning to USPHL Nationals. He does a lot of little things well, in particular on the defensive side of the puck. He had several NCAA options, and garnered a lot of attention because of his good stick, defensive instincts and effective style that every team needs.

“Ohio is a high-quality school and hockey program, and when they showed interest in him, I knew they would be a top option for him. We thank Jack for his leadership and commitment here, and Ohio will be getting a class-act, hardworking player who will likely be a captain for them in a few years.”

“I wish we could have another season with Jack because he had such a big impact on his teammates and the coaching staff,” added Jets associate coach Jamie Lovell. “He brought an incredible attitude and work ethic every day when he came to the rink and we will miss that. But he’s off to start the next chapter of his life and we know he’s going to bring those same values to his new team at Ohio. He was a leader here and there’s no doubt that he will be a leader and have the same impact with new coaches and teammates. We wish him all the best.”

Mueller said that his season with the Jets was “the perfect final year.”

“The Jets changed my game immensely,” he said. “Our coaches forced my habits to move the puck quickly with a purpose. They pushed me to my limits allowing me to find my puck-moving game as well as honing my skills defensively.

“I wish I could have spent more time with the program. The success was great. However, the group of guys I got to spend my last year with are unforgettable and make all the work well worth it.”

In making his decision for the future, Mueller said he has had so many people support him to get to this point.

“I want to thank all my coaches in the past, Q and Jamie, and the billet families that generously opened up their homes and treated me as their own,” Mueller said. “I also want to thank my family, all my siblings and my parents, my dad up above, and my mom who always puts me before her. I cannot thank them all enough.”

This summer will see Mueller working at Cedar Point, working out, skating, and “hopefully, lots and lots of golf,” he said.

ADRIAN, Mich. – Two former Metro Jets players won a college national championship last week with Adrian College.

Adrian freshmen Brodie Thornton, a forward who played three season with the Jets (2017-20), winning a national title with the 2017-18 team and serving as captain in 2019-20, joined defenseman DeVon Fields, who skated for the Jets the second half of the 2019-20 season, were part of the Bulldogs’ team that won it all April 20 in suburban St. Louis.

The Bulldogs defeated Minot State University 6-1 in the ACHA Division I championship game.

“The feeling of winning a national trophy leaves me speechless once again,” Thornton said. “The feeling is like no other. It’s a bunch of emotions that have built up to you and you’re sitting their speechless. The team wasn’t a team. It was a house full of brothers. We bonded together really easy in the beginning semesters. You’re seeing the boys 24/7 not just at hockey but at school and in the dorms. Along with the team, we had the greatest work ethic.

“We had games canceled back to back. We played each other in scrimmages because we had multiple cancellations due to COVID-19 and to come out on top at the end, I just have to say to the whole organization of Adrian College thank you for the sacrifices and thank you for the best freshman year a player/student can have. Thank you to all the coaches and staff at the rink and to the trainers we have with us every morning. I’m thankful for all the seniors and want to let them know to watch us again next year because W2D.”

Fields is in agreement with his teammate.

“It feels great to be a part of a national championship team,” said Fields. “The hard work I saw each and every one of my teammates put in daily was unmatched compared to our opponents. Coming to this team, there were a lot of emotions and I wasn’t sure what to expect, I think what made this team so special was how all of us were so close, we could go to any teammate if we had a problem, needed a tutor, needed a ride, there was no hesitation and just a great group of guys.”

Getting the chance to play together after last season in the USPHL, both Thornton and Fields relished their first year of college hockey.

“This guy has been my brother for years and to see him smile when the final seconds went down was just unreal,” Thornton said of Fields. “I knew this guy was my brother when I first met him on the Jets. To go from canceling a national tournament to winning the next was just surreal.”

“Playing and winning with Brodie is just a cool dream come true,” added Fields. “Ever since I joined Metro, Brodie has been nothing but a great friend and teammate. The smile on our faces when the buzzer hit is something I’ll always remember.”

Adrian also won the national tournament in 2018 with three former Jets on the roster in forwards Cooper McLean and Michael Tratar and defenseman Josh Hosking.

Already looking ahead to 2021-22, Thornton and Fields know repeating as champs will not be an easy task.

“Next year, we have to come in knowing the target is on our back and compete in practices and in games, and show the competitive nature that this team has,” said Fields.

“I think we need to do the same thing we did this season,” Thornton added. “We will work harder and faster next year. The team is losing players, but I know Coach Gary (Astalos) will bring us many other players with the same talents. We already have two strong players from the Jets coming into the program (forwards Alec Lindecker and Conner Graham) filling in for the ones that are leaving.”

The first of two USPHL NCDC Combines took place on Friday and Saturday, April 23-24, at Mount Clemens Ice Arena in suburban Detroit, Mich.

Several teams from both divisions of the National Collegiate Development Conference were in attendance to scout 210 players. Organizations representing every one of the nine transcontinental USPHL Premier divisions, and all four USPHL Elite divisions, were in attendance to scout and offer player opportunities at those levels as well.

Throughout the weekend, there were 15 games (three for each of 10 teams put together by the event organizers), in addition to two Goaltender-specific training sessions and a USPHL NCDC Informational Seminar on Friday afternoon.

The seminar featured new USPHL Commissioner Bob Turow, as well as fellow League Office members John Rose (Deputy Commissioner / USPHL Premier and Elite) and Frank Scarpaci (South Director / USPHL Premier and Elite), along with Jim Hunt, a member of the USPHL Executive Committee and President/Associate Head Coach of the NCDC’s Dineen Cup Champion Jersey Hitmen.

Additionally, event host Justin Quenneville of the Metro Jets was joined by NCDC coaches from the Connecticut Jr. Rangers (Jim Henkel) and P.A.L. Jr. Islanders (Mike Marcou).

“Our job at the USPHL is to help advance you to a higher level of hockey, whether that be the NCDC, to a higher level of junior hockey, or to college hockey,” said Turow, to a crowd of more than 150 players and parents learning about the Nation’s Largest Amateur Hockey League. “I’m very proud and it’s very important for me as the Commissioner of the League that we are a pathway to college for everybody in this room or everyone who plays in this league, whether that be Division I hockey, Division III hockey or ACHA. We want to be seen as your pathway to college.”

“It’s a very unique ‘cradle to college’ model of player development,” said Hunt, who helped create both the USPHL and the NCDC as its top, tuition-free division. He went on to underscore the importance of being a good student, regardless of your level of play. “What we focus on is what kind of student are you? We [as the Hitmen] know what kind of hockey player a certain player is, but we ask him ‘Tell us about your Mom and Dad,’ we ask about their siblings if they have them, but most importantly we ask ‘What kind of student are you?'”

“You have a lot of choices. There are a lot of leagues,” added Scarpaci, who is the owner of the Florida Eels, who field teams at the USPHL Premier and USPHL Elite levels. “This league epitomizes the concept of player development, and brings it to the next level.”

He went on to talk about the amazing success of the USPHL, which has sent more than 2,000 players on to college hockey in its eight years. More than 3,200 players have advanced to college hockey from all of the USPHL’s Member Organizations.

Throughout the weekend, NCDC, Premier and Elite coaches jumped behind the bench to coach prospective future USPHL talent. Additionally, everywhere you looked after every game, players and their parents were meeting and exchanging information with teams to make connections for future opportunities whether in 2021-22 or beyond.

The games were fast and very even in most cases as players put out every ounce of energy they had to work towards a potential spot in the No. 1 league for player advancement, whether that be from one level of junior to the next higher, or directly into college hockey.

The USPHL thanks all of the 210 players, and in many cases their parents as well, for attending and participating, as well as the more than 40 distinct USPHL organizations from coast to coast that sent representatives for making this a fantastic event from start to finish.

The USPHL also thanks the on-and off-ice officials who worked the games and made every on-ice event run smoothly.

To top it off, the staff of the host Metro Jets and their home rink, the Mount Clemens Ice Arena, went above and beyond in their hospitality and service to all of the participants, coaches and the League from before dawn Friday morning straight to Saturday evening, and the USPHL thanks them immensely for their efforts.

The next USPHL NCDC Combine will take place May 14-15 in Chicago, Ill., at Fifth Third Arena, the practice home of the Chicago Blackhawks and new home of the USPHL Premier’s Chicago Cougars. Player registration for that event is sold out.

MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. – Joey Johnson is quiet on the ice and quiet off the ice, but that doesn’t mean his game doesn’t speak volumes.

A 2000 birth year defenseman from Midland, Mich., Johnson wrapped up his junior hockey career in 2020-21 with the Metro Jets, collecting eight goals and 36 points in 41 regular-season games, in addition to five points in five USPHL playoff games.

That solid season has earned Johnson an NCAA commitment to Wilkes University, a Division III school in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., for the 2021-22 season.

“’Q’ (Jets coach-GM Justin Quenneville) connected me with head coach Tyler Hynes and he reached out to me the week after the season ended,” Johnson said. “I recently went on a visit to Wilkes, and it has everything I’m looking for in a program. I plan to play strong defensively, move pucks up ice, and fill any role they need me to.

“The Jets helped me build good habits and skills that’ll translate well to the next level. Every drill in practice had a purpose and it made executing in games that much easier. I think this season was overall a good one. We got better every day and our compete level never dropped, whether it was against other teams or each other.”

In the classroom, Johnson is looking to major in Mechanical Engineering.

Quenneville said having Johnson on the back end this season made the Jets that much tougher to play against, night in and night out.

“Joey is a high-end player with an even higher hockey IQ,” said Quenneville. “He was a pleasure to coach and was a big part of his team’s success. We don’t win another regular-season league title this year without him. He was consistent, a competitor, and reliable in all situations for us in the big games. Joey’s situation for next year was unique because he had several NCAA offers. However, he was specific about his major and Wilkes has a strong engineering program.

“The hockey world is small, and Wilkes head coach Tyler Hynes played at Union, where an old pro teammate of mine was the coach. We had many conversations and Coach Hynes looks to be building a strong program at Wilkes. They picked a great ‘D’ in Joey to come in and play. We wish him the best of luck next year.”

“We only had ‘Johnny’ for a season here, but he left a big impact on this program,” added Jets associate coach Jamie Lovell. “Wilkes is getting a mature, smart, skilled defender. He’s so coachable that he’ll fit right in with their program, just as he did with ours.”

Johnson noted that his lone season with the Jets after a season in Canada made all the difference in the world.

“First and foremost, I’d like to thank my parents and family for making countless sacrifices to get me where I’m at today,” said Johnson. “Q, (Jets associate coach) Jamie (Lovell) and the rest of the Jets organization gave me a great opportunity this year, and I thank them for it. Lastly, I thank all my teammates. They made going to the rink the best part of the day.”

Over the summer, Johnson said he plans to get on the ice, work and play some golf.

MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. – After three seasons of high-quality development with the Metro Jets, Brayden Tayles is moving on to the college hockey game.

Tayles, a 2000 birth year forward who served as captain this past year for the MJDP team, will stay in-state next fall as he’ll attend and play hockey at Concordia University in Ann Arbor.

“I started talking with the coaches around mid-season, and I just stayed in contact with them through the end of the season,” said Tayles, a Waterford, Mich., native. “I have always been interested in the program. Anthony Crews, a good buddy of mine who played for the Jets last season, also committed to Concordia last year and I have received a lot of good information from him. I’ve heard nothing but good things about the program, so the decision was easy for me.

“It’s going to be exciting joining a whole new group of guys next season, all while getting back into the classroom. I’m pumped to start, and I just hope for a smooth transition into the next step of my hockey career.”

Tayles plans on studying Criminal Justice in college.

An alternate captain in 2019-20, Tayles earned the ‘C’ for the 2020-21 season and registered seven goals and 28 points in 44 games during the regular season, in addition to one goal in six USPHL playoff games.

Overall, Tayles recorded 15 goals and 61 points in 129 regular-season games in Jets colors, plus three goals and five points in 13 post-season games.

Jets associate coach Jamie Lovell and coach-GM Justin Quenneville said watching Tayles’ game evolve since 2018 was a pleasure to watch.

“We couldn’t be more excited for Brayden,” said Lovell. “Over the past three years, it has been a pleasure to watch him develop into a very good hockey player, but more importantly, a fine young man. Concordia is lucky as they are not only getting a good hockey player for the program but a good person. He was a huge part of our leadership group this past season and a big reason to why we had so much success and fell one game short of competing in the national championship final. We wish Brayden all the best, but I’m sure we’ll be seeing him this summer as he continues to train with us at The MAT to prepare himself for college hockey and life as a student athlete.”

“Brayden deserves everything he worked for,” added Quenneville. “We were able to watch him grow on and off the ice the past three years and his development not only earned him his captaincy this year, but his opportunities at the next level. He’s a consummate leader and hard worker who we can’t wait to watch at the college level. This is what our program is about, and we wish him all the best at Concordia.”

Tayles noted that playing for the Jets program was instrumental for his game.

“No matter the circumstances, it was always a player-first environment,” Tayles said. “The No. 1 goal was always to prepare the players for the next level of hockey. From Day 1 working with the coaches, I started building habits and skills that are crucial for the next level and for that, I am grateful.”

This past season, the MJDP went to the USPHL National Tournament for the first time, winning two of its three games in the round robin.

“This season was great despite, of course, not having the ending that we desired,” said Tayles. “To go out one win short of a national championship semifinal game stings, but as a team, we fought until the very end and that’s all you can ask for as someone playing my final junior season.

“There was a lot of things learned this season and a whole bunch of lifelong memories and friendships to go with it so for me, that’s a win in itself.”

Tayles also has an extensive list of those people he wants to thank when reaching this milestone in his life.

“I would like to thank my mom and dad for always supporting me through every journey the sport of hockey has taken me on,” said Tayles. “I would also like to thank my Nana, brother and sister for spending countless hours in the hockey rink watching me play. I would also like to thank my Jets coaches Q, Jamie, Dan (Pszenyczny), Tina (Ciraulo) and Randy (Wilson) for always having my best interest in mind and helping bring my game to a higher level. Thank you to (Jets owner) Pete Cammick for spoiling us as players and supplying a great environment to play in. Thank you to all my teammates and previous coaches.

“Lastly, thank you to everyone with the Metro Jets organization that helps make it such an amazing organization to represent.”

For the summer months, Tayles said he plans to get on the ice and in the gym as much as possible to stay in game shape for the upcoming college hockey season.

MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. – When Alec Lindecker was a late cut from a Tier II team in 2019, he quickly got in touch with the Metro Jets, signed with the USPHL club, and made an immediate impact.

Now, two seasons later, Lindecker is off to play college hockey at Adrian College, where he will join 2020-21 teammate and fellow forward Conner Graham and 2019-20 teammates Brodie Thornton and DeVon Fields.

“Around late December, early January, (Adrian coaches) Gary Astalos and Doug Raymond reached out to me, and we set up a visit and I had a great experience,” said Lindecker, a 2000 birth year from Romeo, Mich. “From the campus, to the locker room, to the rink, it was something I fell in love with. I talked to Brodie and Devo about Adrian and they had nothing but great things to say. It’ll be cool to play with those guys again for sure.”

In his two years in Jets colors, including the 2020-21 season as an alternate captain, Lindecker posted 32 goals and 69 points in 77 regular-season games, to go along with 224 penalty minutes. In eight playoff games, he added a goal and three assists.

“The last two years have improved my game tremendously from top to bottom,” Lindecker said. “’Q’ (Jets GM Justin Quenneville) and (associate coach) Jamie (Lovell) did a fantastic job to give me the tools and knowledge I need to up my game to the next level. From off-ice in the weight room to on the ice, they have been a great help to my game and I’m very thankful for that.

“My time with the Jets has been something to remember forever. Just thankful for the guys that welcomed me in mid-season last year, and thankful for the guys who were there for my last season. I have made some unbelievable memories and made life-lasting friendships. From the locker room to on-ice accomplishments, it’s been something I’ve been very proud to be a part of. It was a tough way to go out this year and something we thought would never happen, but overall, it’s been a blessing.”

Quenneville said he was able to help hone Lindecker’s strengths on the ice to make him a dominant junior player that was the true epitome of a teammate.

“’Lindy’ was monumental for us this season as a returning player,” said Quenneville. “We were a young team with a lot of talent and skill, but Lindy and our returning core did a great job getting our group to buy in early. He had some big games for us when we needed him. He brings versatility to the lineup and can play all situations. This year, he found the balance in his game to be a threat offensively and be extremely difficult to play against. I’m sure teams hated playing against him and I know Adrian will be getting a hard-nosed competitor in Alec.

“He is another one that had several NCAA options, but Adrian and Gary did a great job selling their program, and rightfully so. We wish him the best of luck and, hopefully, we can find another Lindecker-style player in the future because they are fun to work with.”

Now looking ahead to Adrian, where he will major in Business, Lindecker said there are new challenges awaiting that he is anxious to tackle.

“My goal is to make a positive impact right away,” said Lindecker. “I want to be a 200-foot, in-your-face physical player and produce offensively. Do whatever that needs to be done to win.”

Lindecker also acknowledged that moving up the hockey ladder is something he hasn’t done alone.

“I can’t thank Q, Jamie, and this organization enough for everything,” Lindecker said. “They have been such a positive impact in my life, and I am going to miss the time we had. The boys have been unreal the past two years, and the memories will last forever. The list can go on and on, met so many great people in junior hockey along the way. Just so happy I was a part of it.

“My mom and dad have been my No. 1 supporters since Day 1. The amount of money and time they sacrificed is something I can’t say thank you enough for. My sister, who was dragged out of school to go to every tournament and showcase, she’s been a real trooper as well. None of this would have been possible without them. I just hope they enjoyed the ride. Can’t thank them enough.”

Before he jaunts off to Adrian, Lindecker said the spring and summer months will be made up of training, working and golfing.

“Going to be getting ready for the season as always, plus getting ready for school this fall,” Lindecker said. “Also want to spend some time with friends and family, enjoy the warm weather, and get in lots of rounds of golf.”

MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. – Conner Graham spent three seasons with the Metro Jets, buying in to the program’s philosophy of getting better every day and developing his game on a daily basis.

That marked improvement has the 2000-born Lake Orion, Mich., native moving on to college hockey as the talented forward recently committed to play next season at Adrian College.

There, Graham will join former Jets captain Brodie Thornton and former Jets defenseman DeVon Fields with the Bulldogs.

“I started talking to the coaches after the first weekend showcase and stayed in touch throughout the season,” said Graham. “From the beginning of the year, Adrian was a top school for me, so it made the decision easy for me. I am excited to see the guys from last year’s team and get to play with them again.”

Jets GM Justin Quenneville is elated to see Graham advance to college hockey and called him “one of the smartest players” he ever coached in junior hockey.

“Conner has grown so much here and received a lot of attention during his time as a Jet,” said Quenneville. “I remember his call up in the NCDC and the multiple college coaches throughout asking about his plans. He had several NCAA options, but felt that Adrian was the best fit for him. Not only is he going to a top program, but they are receiving a top player. He was a go-to so many times for us.

“His vision on the ice was impressive, his skill set was special, but his drive to be a better hockey player every day is a big reason for his success on and off the ice. Congrats to him and we wish him the best of luck at college level.”

Graham, who collected 45 goals and 118 points in 128 USPHL regular-season games with another 12 points in 15 playoff games, said getting the two points more times than not was overshadowed by only one other thing.

“From the first day here to the last, it was all about player development and preparing for the next level of hockey,” said Graham, an alternate captain in 2020-21 with the Jets. “Sure, we wanted to win and have a good season, but the coaches focused heavily on player development and moving kids on to the next level, whether that be college hockey or a higher junior level.

“This season was definitely not the ending we wanted but overall, it was a good season. To win the regular season, our division, and be first in the league with the difficulty of COVID and other things going on this year was impressive, and I’m happy with the way we handled it.”

Next season, Graham wants to do all he can to fit in with the Bulldogs.

“It’s always a new challenge with being a new guy on a new team and mixing in school on top of that, but I’m excited and ready to play,” said Graham.

In the classroom, Graham plans on majoring in Exercise Science.

When making a life-changing decision such as this one, Graham realizes it was more than his talent that is taking him to Adrian.

“Definitely a big thank you to my mom and dad for helping and supporting me throughout my hockey career so far,” Graham said. “I’d also like to thank my coaches Jamie (Lovell), Q, Dan (Pszenyczny), Tina (Ciraulo) and Randy (Wilson) as well as the whole Jets organization for the past three years and helping me to get where I am today. I’d like to thank my coaches, trainers, friends and teammates that have helped me along the way.”

This offseason, Graham said he plans on working all summer and skating at the MAT during the week.

“Mainly going to focus on my strength and off-ice training throughout the summer,” said Graham.

MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. – Mount Clemens Ice Arena is home to the Mount Clemens Hockey Club and multiple high school programs, and will now have a premier junior program, the Metro Jets, in-house to create opportunities from learn to play all the way to junior hockey.

In addition, the MCHC will be re-branding to be known as the Jr. Jets.

“We have a lot of history with our program, and we are excited about helping grow this great game while aligning ourselves with a top-notch venue,” said Jets GM Justin Quenneville. “Players will continue to get the best platform to succeed and be surrounded by more great hockey opportunities. Our program is very unique and has had a lot of success helping players achieve their goals. Now, we get to create an exciting environment with an established hockey community where kids have a home long term.”

The MCHC was founded in 1994 and offers instructional, house and travel hockey all ages levels. MCHC is a non-profit 501c3 organization that has been home to over 15,000 young boys and girls participating in hockey.

Former NCAA and professional hockey player Jeff Blum serves as the president of the MCHC, an association that boasts some of the most influential coaches and teachers focused on developing youth hockey players.

“We are very excited about this opportunity and to be the home of the Metro Jets,” said Mount Clemens Ice Arena GM Nick Poliski. “They have established themselves as a premier organization in the United States and have a long history of winning and development. Justin and his staff are highly professional and motivated. I am looking forward to a long-lasting relationship.”

The Metro Jets recently completed their 2020-21 season (and 32nd season overall) as the regular-season champion in the United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL) and sent two teams to the USPHL National Tournament.

Overall, the Jets have captured four national championships, with the last one coming in 2018.

“It was another incredible season for both Jets teams,” Quenneville said. “We are the only junior program in the country that had two teams win their division and make it to nationals, but more importantly, we continue to commit helping develop and advance players to the next level. We are looking forward to continuing our model in an exciting and loud building for everyone to experience.”

With over 30 college commitments in the past three years alone and dozens of advancements, the Jets also saw in recent years several Jr. Jets players that have made the jump to play for the junior team, including Anthony Cinato, who was part of the 2018 national championship team and is now a freshman at NCAA Division III New England College.

Other former Jr. Jets players include Brodie Thornton and Max Hartwell and several others who played for the youth teams, followed by the Jets junior program.

In addition, former NHLer and 2016 Stanley Cup champion Steve Oleksy, who played for the Jets from 2002-05, is involved heavily with the Mount Clemens Ice Arena.

Planning has already started for the 2021-22 season. Anyone families or coaches interested in learning more or joining the Jr. Jets can contact Blum at SDhockeyCO@comcast.net.

For more information, visit MetroJetsHockey.com and follow the Jets on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic has been named an NHL Rookie of the Month for March.

Nedeljkovic, who played for the Metro Jets during the 2021-13 season, went 6-1-1 with a 1.85 goals-against average, .934 save percentage and one shutout in eight March games for Carolina.

Among all goaltenders (rookie or veteran) with at least five March appearances, Nedeljkovic ranked fourth in goals-against average (1.85) and fifth in save percentage (.934). He yielded two or fewer goals in six of his eight starts, highlighted by his second career shutout March 22 – in his native Ohio against the Columbus Blue Jackets (19 SV).

Nedeljkovic, who was selected in the second round (37th overall) of the 2014 NHL Draft – has compiled an 8-3-2 record in 13 total contests this season (2.05 GAA, .927 SV%, 2 SO).

The 25-year-old Parma, Ohio, native leads rookies and ranks among the top 10 netminders (rookie or veteran) in both goals-against average (6th; 2.05) and save percentage (7th; .927).

Reference: [ https://www.metrojetshockey.com/news_article/show/1155747 ]

CHESAPEAKE, Va. – The MJDP won its second game at USPHL Nationals Saturday afternoon, downing the New York Aviators 7-1 at the Chilled Ponds Ice Complex.

Even with finshing 2-1 in their pool, the MJDP did not advance to the national semifinals.

Joey Mocnik scored twice, to go along with single goals from Tim Washburn, Austin Ieuter, Jake Aslanian, Mitch Forton and Jake Aslanian in the win.

Patrick Hays added two assists, while Ieuter and Forton tallied assists for two-point games.

In goal, Daniel Miscavish stopped 26 shots for the victory.

Earlier in the day, the Metro Jets concluded their round robin with a 1-0 loss to the Charleston Colonials, finishing 0-3 in their pool and also not advancing to the semifinals.

Will Augustine collected 19 saves between the pipes for the Jets.

Stay tuned to MetroJetsHockey.com and all the Jets’ social media pages for all offseason news and information on the 2021-22 season.