FRASER, Mich. – As the Metro Jets roster grows for the upcoming 2019-20 season, Trevor Granzow hopes to be a major piece for the team’s offense moving forward.
Granzow, a 1999 birth year from Ray Township, was a rookie on the Jets’ 2018 national championship team and then posted 22 goals and 56 points last season.
Needless to say, he’s looking to make more waves in his final season of junior hockey eligibility.
“The decision to come back here was an extremely easy one,” Granzow said. “This team has everything needed to succeed and develop players and I’m more than happy to play a third year here. You can’t name a downside to playing for the Jets. We have the best of everything needed to make a player and team the best it can be. The coaches and staff do anything we need to help us develop as smoothly as possible.
“The players and coaches come to the rink everyday ready to push each other, and that is an awesome way to put everyone in a mindset of not only getting better, but winning, too.”
Jets coach-GM Justin Quenneville has seen Granzow develop in his two seasons in Fraser and is elated to see what the 2019-20 season brings.
“We are excited for ‘Granny’ to return because of the opportunities he should generate for college hockey,” said Quenneville. “He’s been through a lot here and grown even more on and off the ice. He’s a very effective player in the offensive house and has a great stick away from the puck. He scored in bunches last year and we are hoping he can elevate his game even more this year on a consistent basis. He will be a big piece to the puzzle this season and with a strong core of forwards coming back, he adds another threat for teams to worry about.”
Of Granzow’s 22 tallies last season, none was more dramatic than his goal on Jan. 13 when he snapped a 2-2 tie with the Motor City Hockey Club at 19:51 of the third period and the Jets held on for the 3-2 win.
Team-wise, Granzow is ready to find his role and get to work.
“My team goal is to simply end the year as champions,” Granzow said. “We’ve been to the national championship both years of my junior career here, so nothing changes this year except for the winners of the cup. My personal goals are quite simple. I want to help as many of the new guys have a smooth transition into junior hockey, and also help the team get to the national championship in any way that I can.”
A pair of defensemen from last year have also committed to coming back this season in Blake Sheridan and John Taylor.
Sheridan, a 2000 birth year from Waterford, had a goal and seven points in 41 games last year while Taylor, the club’s first Fraser native since the franchise moved in 2015-16, is another 2000 birth year and registered a goal and two assists in 11 games in 2018-19.
“Blake had a great year last year,” Quenneville said. “He came into this completely green and developed his game noticeably every week. He has a great attitude and work ethic, but more importantly, carries himself the right way around the rink.
“When John came in last season, we knew we would be getting a hard-working player. He plays the game with an edge and lays it all out on the line every night. He’s also a physical player that improved his game by a lot in a short time. We are excited for both guys to come in and continue to impress and improve.”
“Honestly, deciding to come back for a second season was very easy,” Sheridan added. “I have learned so much from the coaching staff, both on and off the ice. They have made me a better hockey player and I’m looking forward to learning even more this year.
“What makes the Jets organization stand out is their passion and commitment in bringing the best out of their players. The organization makes it feel like a close family, they are always willing to work with you one on one, and I feel that shows when other teams play against us, because we don’t take a shift off. Having the MAT available to the team helps the organization produce strong competitive players year after year. I have a lot of work ahead of myself and I’m excited to get going.”
Taylor came to the Jets midway through last season and made an immediate impact, something he wants to continue this coming season.
“I really liked everyone on the team and also the coaching staff that was the main reason for coming back,” Taylor said. “What makes the Jets better than a lot of other teams is that we strive on working hard and out-battling other teams. Our team goals for this year are to win as many games as possible and to play for a ring.”
