MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids area has long been a hotbed of hockey talent and the Metro Jets have taken advantage in recent years.

This season, Nolan Bruxvoort is the latest from the Western Michigan town to join the Jets with hopes of developing his overall game at the junior hockey level.

“My (Kenowa Hills) coach (Matt Wiedenhoeft) encouraged me to meet with (Jets scout) Ray Hyde and talk about the team and then I ended going to a couple of the summer skates and thought it was a good fit for me,” said Bruxvoort, a 2002-born forward. “One thing that really stood out to me is that the Jets really focus on the players’ development and focusing on the next step after junior hockey.”

For Jets coach-GM Justin Quenneville, having Bruxvoort in the lineup this season can only mean positives across the board.

“Nolan came to us via our scout who resides on the west side, Ray Hyde,” Quenneville said. “We were fortunate enough to see him skate several times over the course of the summer and took notice right away. He’s a big kid who has versatile skill set. He’s used to being the big fish in a small pond, so he knows he needs to continue to develop his game, and he’s been doing just that.

“We are excited to see him come out of his shell more and continue to impress.”

Other than goals and assists, Bruxvoort wants to bring the intangibles to the Jets this season.

“I want to support and encourage the other players,” Bruxvoort said. “I will help build the team stronger as a group. My youth hockey days help with juniors because I know the true value of a team and what it means to be there for each other and work hard for what you want.”

Down the road, Bruxvoort wants to “continue playing hockey for as long as life takes me” and “maybe start a career on the way.”