FRASER, Mich. – With the move to the USPHL comes more opportunities for the Metro Jets.
Today, the Jets formally announced an affiliation agreement with the Boston Jr. Bruins of the National Collegiate Development Conference (NCDC) for the 2018-19 season.
The NCDC is the highest level of the USPHL and provides tuition-free hockey.
“We’re really excited that the Metro Jets are going to be one of our affiliates this season,” said Jr. Bruins NCDC coach Mike Anderson. “We’re definitely looking forward to that relationship. I know that the Jets have a very strong program and have done a terrific job for their players over the years. We look forward to having those players graduate up through our organization and have a tremendous landing spot out here at the NCDC level.
“We hope those kids can continue their development model with us and put themselves in a position to play NCAA hockey at the Division I or Division III level. Obviously, we’re looking forward to working with the Jets to further grow that development model and helping to strengthen that organization through our affiliation.”
This past season, in addition to winning their fourth national championship, the Jets advanced 10 players to the college ranks (five to NCAA Division III schools), multiple players called up, had three players sign tenders in Tier II and look to continue the positive momentum by partnering with the Jr. Bruins.
“We are excited to partner with another historic program in the Jr. Bruins,” said Jets coach-GM Justin Quenneville. “Being able to provide additional outlet opportunities for our players is naturally a bonus, but to be able to align ourselves with a program with a rich history like ourselves is a great advantage. We have been fortunate in providing our players with consistent college and Tier II opportunities every year, and this just adds to that plate. They run a great program and we look forward to working with them.”
The Jr. Bruins also field AAA tournament teams in the spring and summer. Those teams travel the world to play in the top tournaments. Those teams start at the Mite age and there is one for each birth year all the way to the 18U level. The organization is one of only 14 programs that have a charter to play at the Brick Invitational in Edmonton.
Hosting several tournaments throughout the year – the Boston Showdown and BJB Shootout, as well as all Beantown Classic events – the program also has camps in multiple locations for all ages.
On the advancement level, the Jr. Bruins have graduated more players to NCAA Division I colleges than any midget/junior program on the East Coast. Their alums have played at every Hockey East and ECAC school as well as at colleges in other D-I leagues. They have sent more players to USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program than any other on the East Coast and have alums that have played or are currently playing in the NHL.
“The Jets have had tremendous success, much like we’ve had tremendous success out here,” Anderson said. “Absolutely looking forward to this relationship.”
Jr. Bruins staff will also be in attendance when the Jets stage their main camp on June 29-30 at Fraser Hockeyland.
More information is available at www.metrojetshockey.com/player-interest.
