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.”
