FRASER, Mich. – In recent years, it has been common to have brothers skating together – or in different years – with the Metro Jets.

Andrew Sawyer (2014-15) and Griffin Sawyer (2016-18).

Cory Schwartz (2018-19), Jeremy Schwartz (2017-19), and Cam Schwartz (2015-17).

Jason Recchia (2015-17) and Anthony Recchia (2017-19).

Jason Newel (2014-17) and Evan Newel (2016-17).

Jacob Gleason (2014-17) and David Chavis (2014-16).

Matt Schaumburger (2017-18) and Alex Schaumburger (2020-present).

Tyler German (2018-20) and Josh German (2019-present).

Jake Drinkard (2014-16) and Nick Drinkard (2018-19).

Connor Hilliker and Tyler Hilliker (2020-present).

Kenny Forton (2013-14) and Mitch Forton (2019-present).

Connor Inger (2016-18) and Trevor Momot (2016-18).

Adam Reid (2011-12) and Carter Reid (2013-14).

Jacob Schlacht (2010-12) and Zach Schlacht (2011-12).

This season, Alex Washburn and Tim Washburn suit up in Jets colors on a nightly basis.

Davison natives, both played previously at Flint Powers Catholic High School, a familiar recruiting base for the Jets.

Nearly through the first month of the 2020-21 USPHL season, both Washburns have become enamored with the Jets program.

“So far, I’ve noticed that everything the coaches and players do is for each other and the team, which is something I really love to see,” said Alex, a 2003-born defenseman. “Prior to the season, I didn’t really know anything about the team or program but now that I’m here, the fact that this is a ‘player’s program’ is super appealing. The coaches and all the staff are always looking out for the players’ best interests.”

The older Washburn is on board as well.

“This early in the year, it’s already been amazing to see how well the group supports each other and how everyone has the group’s back,” said Tim, a 2001-born forward. “This offseason, I was talking with them and some other teams, but coming off of knee surgery, I had been unable to skate with any teams. Alex came out to skate, really enjoyed the coaching and the players. Didn’t take much for him to convince me.

“I had only heard good things about the program and saw good things last year. One of the most appealing things is how the program is designed to help us get better and also having the open facilities for us when we need them.”

In seven games this season, Tim has collected three goals and nine points, while Alex has compiled two goals and three points through eight games.

Jets coach-GM Justin Quenneville loves what each Washburn brings to the rink on a daily basis.

“Both of them have been fun to work with here,” Quenneville said. “They come in every day eager to learn and always have energy. Even though they carry similar traits, they both play the game hard within their respective positions. Alex is younger and naturally will have some struggles transitioning from high school, but he is noticeably getting better in the areas of his game on both sides of the puck. He brings a good shot from the point and defends hard every shift, so we know he will continue to grow here.

“Tim, on the other hand, has a couple years on his brother and is attentive to every to every detail. He’s a sponge to information and does a lot of things well offensively. He brings a strong north-south game up front and isn’t afraid to play physical either.

“They are both committed to process here and we look forward to watching them continue to benefit from this platform. We have had success with brother teammates before, and I don’t see these guys missing a beat here either.”

Both players fill their roles to a ‘T’ while being consummate teammates, on and off the ice.

“I think my good skating and nasty attitude towards the other team helps us come out on top from puck battles and generating offense from the ‘D’ zone,” Alex said. “Right now, I’m just focused on finishing up high school and leading the Jets to more victories. Down the road, I’m looking to continue my life as a student-athlete and play college hockey.”

“As a player on the team, I bring a good work ethic, whether it is supporting the puck down low in our zone if we are outnumbered or winning the race to an iced puck,” added Tim. “Another thing I bring is possession in the offensive zone, whether it’s having poise with the puck or giving my teammates an option to move it.

“I am trying to evolve my game and find ways to get the Jets on the scoreboard more without compromising defensively. In the future, I am going to play college hockey.”

Teammates in high school and now teammates in junior hockey, there simply is no better situation, according to the duo.

“Me and Alex have actually played with each other back at high school, both as captains,” Tim said. “It’s amazing to have another chance to play with him.”

“I enjoy it,” Alex added. “My brother and I both played high school together at Flint Powers, along with (Jets forward) Joey Carpenter, before coming to the Jets. But after our last season there, we thought we wouldn’t be playing together anymore, so it’s nice that it happened to work out that so we can still be on the bench with each other.”

FRASER, Mich. – Nick Ceccarini’s two goals were all the Metro Jets needed Sunday night in a 2-0 win over the Columbus Mavericks at Fraser Hockeyland.

Ceccarini scored in the second and third periods after the game was scoreless after 20 minutes.

“We got off to a bit of a slow start, but once we started to get momentum and tilting the ice, we got into penalty trouble and it took our momentum away,” Jets associate coach Dan Pszenyczny said. “When we keep things simple, moving the puck, using each other and making smart plays, we look great.”

Will Augustine finished with the 26-save shutout between the pipes for the Jets.

“Will was solid when he needed to be, and Ceccarini and (Cristian) Adragna helped get a big one for us in the second,” said Pszenyczny. “Overall, everyone pitched in as the game went on to ensure the big win.”

The Jets outshot the Mavericks 39-26.

In Pittsburgh Sunday afternoon, the MHC stayed with the Pittsburgh Vengeance for nearly the entire game but allowed a goal with 10 seconds left in the third period and fell 1-0, suffering the series sweep at the Alpha Ice Complex.

Ethan Ryan (pictured) finished with 48 saves as Pittsburgh outshot the Jets 49-14.

“Definitely a disappointing week for this group,” Jets associate coach Jamie Lovell said. “Not taking away anything from Pittsburgh, but I don’t think we made them earn the goals they scored. We made far too many mistakes when it came to managing the puck and recognizing situations during the game. We simply didn’t play to the standards that we expect in this program.

“This last game is especially a tough one to swallow, giving up a goal with 10 seconds to go in a 0-0 game, but we have to learn from it. Hats off to Ethan Ryan, who did his job and gave us a chance to win the game right down to the end. We wasted his effort, and it’s too bad.

“But whether you lose 9-1 or 1-0, they’re still the same when it comes to the standings, and each game provides a unique learning experience for each player and us as a staff. We will use these experiences and continue developing, making better players and young men, which is really what this is all about. We look forward to the challenge and the process.”

This week, the Jets travel to the Team Toledo IceHouse play the Toledo Cherokee Friday night at 7 p.m., while the MHC hosts the Wooster Oilers Thursday night at 8:15 p.m. at Fraser Hockeyland and the MJDP hosts the Motor City Hockey Club at Fraser Hockeyland Saturday night at 8 p.m.

All games will be streamed on HockeyTV.com.

SOUTHGATE, Mich. – The MJDP offense was out in full force Saturday afternoon, taking an 8-4 win over the Detroit Fighting Irish at the Southgate Civic Ice Arena.

Tim Washburn went for three goals and two assists, Joey Mocnik added two goals and two assists, and Daniel Miscavish made 23 saves in goal.

After being up 8-0, the MJDP allowed four straight goals at the end of the second period and in the third period.

“A win’s a win, but the third period was not our period,” said Jets assistant coach Tina Ciraulo. “The boys need to know we need to play three periods to finish out. First two periods, we were moving the puck very well, making things happen, but we need to learn how to keep going all three periods and not give teams an inch. If that happens, our opponents will definitely capitalize on it.”

Jake Aslanian (pictured) had a goal and an assist, Hugo Fonovic and Seth Francois scored, Patrick Hays posted three assists and Cole Phillips tacked on a pair of helpers.

“Positives from this game are just knowing how well we can play against teams like that and just keep moving forward in the right direction winning games,” Ciraulo said.

Also Saturday, Brandon Plummer scored the lone goal and Salvatore Carabelli made 38 saves as the MHC fell 8-1 to the Pittsburgh Vengeance at the Alpha Ice Complex on the road in Pittsburgh.

The two teams meet again Sunday at 11:40 a.m.

In addition, the Metro Jets host the Columbus Mavericks at 6:45 p.m. at Fraser Hockeyland.

All games will be streamed on www.HockeyTV.com.

DUBLIN, Ohio – The Metro Jets didn’t play the most complete hockey game Friday night against the Columbus Mavericks, but the offense was enough and Louis-Pierre Fortier turned in his second shutout of the season in a 3-0 win at the OhioHealth Chiller North.

Conner Graham, Chance Desana and Alex Schaumburger scored for Metro, while Fortier (pictured) stopped all 28 shots fired his way for his second straight shutout since blanking the Fort Wayne Spacemen on Oct. 3 at the USPHL Detroit Showcase at Fraser Hockeyland.

“Columbus came out hard out of the gates and it took us a few shifts to get going,” said Jets coach-GM Justin Quenneville. “Both goalies made some big saves tonight and ‘LP’ was big for us with timely saves in the second to keep the lead. We did a better job managing the puck and establishing our presence offensively as the game went on, but we need to better from puck drop Sunday.”

Mavericks goaltender Alex Toth finished with 42 saves in suffering the defeat.

“We feel great with this win because we had a slow start and then we worked hard to get the second goal to give us some breathing room,” Fortier said. “Then we dominated as the game went on.

“Our team is very close, and we know what we have to do on the ice. We all have each other’s backs.”

The Jets and Columbus meet again Sunday at 6:45 p.m. back at Fraser Hockeyland.

“We are still working through some kinks as group, but we are starting to see flashes of Jets hockey,” Quenneville said. “Tonight was a good test for us, and we showed some of our versatility in winning our shifts when it counted, but our goal is to be consistent for a full 60 on Sunday and I’m confident our guys will be better from the start on Sunday.”

Also this weekend, the MJDP travels to the Southgate Ice Arena to play the Detroit Fighting Irish at 2 p.m. Saturday, while the MHC is off to Pittsburgh for a two-game set with the Pittsburgh Vengeance Saturday at 6:30 p.m. and Sunday at 11:40 a.m. from the Alpha Ice Complex.

All games will be streamed on www.HockeyTV.com.

WOOSTER, Ohio – The Metro Jets jumped out to a 2-0 lead Saturday night and held on to down the Wooster Oilers 3-2 at the Alice Noble Ice Arena.

Joey Carpenter, Nick Ceccarini and Braydin Lewis scored for the Jets, who outshot Wooster 51-19.

“It wasn’t our best game, a bit sloppy,” Jets assistant coach Dan Pszenyczny said. “When we got things going, we looked good, like we were going to control the game, but we got lazy, gave Wooster confidence, and they made it a close game.”

Cody Mastay notched a pair of assists for Metro, while Will Augustine made 17 saves in goal.

“It was a little bit of a sloppy game, but the boys came out with the win to get us two points,” said Lewis, whose goal on the power play at 16:59 of the second period stood as the game-winner. “I had a great pass from Cody on the power play, looked up, took my shot, and buried. I was able to finish and get the opportunity to score because of my teammates’ efforts.”

Will Holden and Marshall Merk scored for Wooster and Luke Bell suffered the loss between the pipes with a 48-save performance.

The Jets play a delayed home-and-home series next weekend with the Columbus Mavericks, starting Friday night at OhioHealth Chiller North at 7:30 p.m. and wrapping up at Fraser Hockeyland Sunday night at 7:30 p.m.

All games will be streamed on www.HockeyTV.com.

FRASER, Mich. – The Metro Jets improved to 3-0 at the USPHL Detroit Showcase with two convincing wins Friday at Fraser Hockeyland.

In the Jets’ 3-1 win over the Chicago Cougars (pictured front) to wrap the night, Louis-Pierre Fortier made 22 saves for his first win in goal.

Joey Johnson posted a goal and an assist, while Cody Mastay and Joey Carpenter also scored.

Jason Crossland tallied a hat trick for the second straight game as Metro defeated the Decatur Blaze 16-1 earlier in the day.

Every Jets skated recorded at least one point in the game and Fortier and Karl Ullmann combined on an eight-save outing.

Ryan Messing and Matt Cole each contributed a goal with four assists.

The Jets outshot Decatur 78-9.

In other action, the MJDP shut out the Lake Erie Bighorns on the strength of a 21-save performance from Daniel Miscavish.

Mitch Forton (pictured below), Joey Mocnik and Patrick Hays all scored and Jake Aslanian picked up two assists.

The Fort Wayne Spacemen knocked off the MHC 3-2.

Ethan Smith and Ronnie Zamojski registered the goals and Ethan Ryan finished with 28 saves in goal.

For more detailed stats, click the game links below:

Metro Jets 3, Chicago Cougars 1

Metro Jets 16, Decatur Blaze 1

MJDP 3, Lake Erie Bighorns 0

Fort Wayne Spacemen 3, MHC 2

The showcase wraps up Saturday, beginning with games at 9:30 a.m.

FRASER, Mich. – The Metro Jets knocked off the Fort Wayne Spacemen 4-0 Saturday morning at Fraser Hockeyland, running their USPHL Detroit Showcase record to a perfect 4-0.

In goal, Louis-Pierre Fortier stopped 12 shots for the shutout, while Matt Cruz had a goal and an assist and Joey Johnson added three assists.

Also Saturday, the MHC defeated the Detroit Fighting Irish 7-3 and the Midwest Blackbirds 2-1 to finish the event 3-1.

Against the Fighting Irish, Ethan Smith scored three goals and Brent Wolf and Dylan Holman each contributed a goal and two assists as Tate Potteiger made 12 saves in goal.

Holman and Gavin Walters then scored in the third period as the MHC came back to defeat the Blackbirds. Salvatore Carabelli turned in a 20-save outing between the pipes.

The MJDP wrapped the showcase 1-2-1 with a 3-2 setback Saturday to the Columbus Mavericks,

Hugo Fonovic and Nick Twombley netted the MJDP goals and Caden Fisher turned aside 16 shots in goal.

All three teams’ upcoming schedules are available on MetroJetsHockey.com and USPHL.com.

FRASER, Mich. – Highlights were aplenty for the Metro Jets on Thursday as the USPHL Detroit Showcase opened at Fraser Hockeyland.

Jets teams played four games, with the MHC gaining its first win with a 3-0 shutout over the Motor City Hockey Club, the Jets dominating and scoring eight unanswered goals in an 8-1 win over the Buffalo Thunder, and the MJDP taking the Toledo Cherokee to overtime before dropping a 3-2 decision.

In the MHC win, Salvatore Carabelli picked up the win in net, stopping all 18 shots fired his way. Brandon Plummer had a goal and an assist, while Brennan Zatelli and Danny Haack also scored.

For the rest of the action, follow these links:

Toledo Cherokee 3, MJDP 2 (OT)

Pittsburgh Vengeance 5, MJDP 0

Metro Jets 8, Buffalo Thunder 1

MHC 3, Motor City Hockey Club 0

The showcase continues Friday and Saturday.

All games in Fraser will be streamed on HockeyTV.com.

FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The Metro Jets opened the 2020-21 USPHL season with a 6-3 win Friday night over the Fort Wayne Spacemen at the SportONE Parkview Icehouse.

Jake Aslanian led the way with two goals and Caden Fisher made 21 saves in goal to pick up the victory between the pipes.

“The boys seemed to click right away,” said Aslanian. “We came out flying and all the boys were having fun and felt confident and never let up. We just had to keep it up and that’s exactly what the boys did. We wanted it.

“I just went out every shift and worked hard and got rewarded with the two goals. I couldn’t do it without all these guys.”

Garrick Smith and Hugo Fonovic each had a goal and an assist, while Seth Beagle tacked on three assists and Cole Phillips and Patrick Hays scored one each.

“I thought we played a pretty solid game for our first game,” said Jets assistant coach Dan Pszenyczny. “We came out strong, dictated the pace in the first half of the first period, and got on the board quick. But then we got comfortable, took a couple unnecessary penalties, had some communication breakdowns and let them back into the game.

“We rest during intermission and got back to our game. It was a great team win on the road for our first game.”

For the Spacemen, Jared Fisher posted a goal and an assist, Logan Robins and Dylan Marks scored one each, and goaltender Sasha Schelkanov made 26 saves in suffering the defeat.

“All these guys seem to be buying in to the system and are keeping it up by working hard,” noted Aslanian. “Yeah, it’s only one game, but it was a great start, everyone kept working hard and never let off the gas. I’m excited to see where it takes us.”

The Jets now get ready to host the USPHL Great Lakes Showcase next Thursday, Friday and Saturday at Fraser Hockeyland. More information forthcoming at www.metrojetshockey.com.

FRASER, Mich. – Tina Ciraulo has grown up around the game of hockey and after her playing days concluded, she knew she wanted to give back to the game that has given her so much.

Recently, the Fraser native was named a new assistant coach for the USPHL’s Metro Jets, taking on a role with a program that has vaulted to the forefront of junior hockey development not only in Michigan and the Midwest, but arguably across the country.

“I’ve been fortunate to have known ‘Q’ (Jets coach-GM Justin Quenneville) for a long time and have always been familiar with the team, even helping with some of their strength training in the past,” Ciraulo said. “This year, I was presented with the opportunity to take on a full-time position with the team and it felt like a great fit. I couldn’t be happier about it.”

Quenneville is equally elated to have Ciraulo on staff this season.

“We are excited to add Tina to our staff full time and continue to build on this environment for our players,” Quenneville said. “I am lucky because I didn’t need to vet her in any way. We have known each other for a long time, and she was part of the program last year as well. This was a no-brainer for our organization, and she will bring passion and experience that our players can learn from every day.”

Like the players on the ice, Ciraulo is looking to improve her coaching game off the ice.

“The most appealing aspect of the taking on a coaching role with the Jets organization is the opportunity to learn and grow alongside the phenomenal coaches, managers and staff of the program,” said Ciraulo. “As coaches, we always want our athletes to continue to grow and advance, and the same holds true for coaches as well. And I personally feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to do so here with these guys.”

Ciraulo’s father, Bill, enjoyed a successful junior and pro career with Michigan teams in the SOJHL and IHL, while her younger brother, Anthony, spent time in the NAHL and USHL before playing NCAA Division I hockey at the University of Michigan.

“Our family has been a hockey family for as far back as I can remember; actually, before I was even born,” Ciraulo said. “This sport has always been my biggest passion and provided me with countless opportunities that I would not have experienced otherwise. I knew from a very young age that hockey would be the driving force behind my success and my future. As my Division I career (at St. Cloud State University from 2001-05) and professional hockey career came to a close, I knew that I wanted to play this game at a competitive level for as long as I could. I soon realized that my passion for the game didn’t end with just playing but coaching and training as well.

“I feel fortunate to have the chance to pass along my experiences, opportunities and knowledge of the game with the athletes that I work with as well as the passion for the game that was passed down to me from my dad.”

Having a recognizable last name has also been a source of pride for Ciraulo.

“Coming from a family where my dad had a lot of success as both a player and a coach might be a little intimidating for some athletes, but for us, it was just who he was,” Ciraulo said. “Billy was always our coach and role model, but most of all, he’s always been our biggest fan. My brother and I were very fortunate to share a couple national championships with our dad behind the bench which not only gave us the chance to share that moment with him, but also to learn from him as well. I have always been proud to have the name ‘Ciraulo’ on the back of my jersey because to me, that represents preparation, passion and success.”

Now gearing up to take on her next adventure behind the bench, Ciraulo’s future is bright, and she gets to do it in her hometown.

“I got my first taste of coaching and training young athletes when I started working camps in college that took me all over the United States as I developed hockey players of all ages,” Ciraulo said. “I continued to run hockey camps and clinics until 2014 when I took my first coaching position with a Detroit-area hockey organization. Over the past 19 years, coaching has taken me all over the world to work with elite athletes, both on and off the ice.

“I am really looking forward to this season with the Jets organization. We have a team full of talented, hard-working guys who are ready to put the work in and be held accountable. I think with the group that we have, it will be awesome to see our veterans lead by example and our younger guys come in with the excitement and energy to continue to push the group forward and continue to grow.”

Ciraulo reiterated that hard work and keeping the players’ best interests as the top priority has always been her No. 1 mission when coaching.

That will continue with the Jets, she said.

“Taking this position with the Jets organization has been a fun and exciting journey so far, and I look forward to counting to push these guys to their full potential,” said Ciraulo. “I was raised that hockey is hockey – not boys hockey or girls hockey – just hockey. And if you want to compete with the best, you have to put the work in. So as a female, I want to continue to drive that message home for my past and present players as well as my nieces and nephews to just take things one day at a time, show up, and work hard.”