MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. – Watch any Metro Jets game from last season and chances are Cristian Adragna is one of the most noticeable players on the ice.
Adragna is competitive by nature and will bring that character of his game back to the Jets after re-signing with the USPHL club last week for the 2021-22 season, his final season of junior hockey.
“My thought process for coming back this season was, honestly, very easy,” said Adragna. “From the first day I met the coaching staff before the start of the 2020-21 season, it was evident that they truly want to put each and every player in the best position for them to succeed not only in hockey but, more importantly, in life.
“With me personally, seeing all those values in a coaching staff and organization as a whole makes my job easier to just trust them and the process and that’s what I’ve been doing so far. They seek the best out of you and after spending a year with them, there’s no reason I wouldn’t give them my best every day of the season.”
During the 2020-21 campaign, the 2001-born native of Rochester Hills, Mich., compiled 16 goals and 39 points in 41 regular-season games to go along with four goals in five playoff games.
“The way we finished off last season was just heartbreaking, and there is not really much more I can say about what happened,” Adragna said. “The chase for the national championship gives me goosebumps as it is, and after last season, I know that it’s a mission for me now. Knowing myself as a competitor, I hate losing more than I love winning. Given this is my age-out year, that only leaves us with one choice.
“Just win, baby.”
Jets coach-GM Justin Quenneville said Adragna’s compete level is off the charts and that his attitude is contagious.
“Cristian committed to returning early in the offseason, and he noticeably was driven all summer to continue to get stronger and work on his game,” Quenneville said. “He had a great year and garnered a lot of attention from scouts with his game. His sheer power and strength on the ice keeps his opponents on their heels every shift. His chemistry with Cody Mastay and Matt Cole (drafted by NAHL’s Jamestown Rebels) made them one of the most consistent lines every night. With Cody and ‘Drags’ returning, we are instantly a tougher team to play against because of their leadership and commitment.
“Drags is one of few players in junior hockey that has to tone down his physicality at times because referees will punish him for hitting too hard. He reminds me of former Jets forward Reggie Millette (played on 2018 national championship team, also an NCAA Division I American International College commit) who played the game hard every shift. We look forward to helping him field even more NCAA offers this year, and we know he is excited to get back on the ice with the team here shortly.”
Metro associate coach Jamie Lovell said Adragna is “a dynamic player at this level.”
“Drags is so strong on the puck and when you combine that with his speed, he’s almost impossible to defend,” said Lovell. “He’s an absolute horse. He was getting a lot of attention last season from schools, so now going into his last year of junior hockey, it’s exciting to see what we can do for him. Ultimately, it will be up to him, though. I know he has trained hard this offseason and he looks prepared to take on a leadership role with our group.”
Over the course of the 2020-21 season, Adragna said he improved on every aspect of his game.
“From strength, shooting the puck, maturity, and overall knowledge of the game, I owe everything to the coaches,” he said. “The way they go about things and teach you the game makes everything easier on us. They put so much time into this to make us the best players we can be and get exposure.
“As a returner this season, I want to take on a leadership role for the team, both on and off the ice. I remember my first season and the leaders I had, and I only hope I can emulate what they did for us to our group this season. With the year of experience I had, I hope that I can be that guy that both my teammates and coaching staff can trust and rely on in key moments.”
The summer’s end fast approaching, Adragna plans to continue what he’s been doing all summer long.
“For the rest of the summer, I plan to keep continuing my workouts at the MAT as well as the MAT skates,” said Adragna. “I’m very excited for the season to get going and see some new faces and some familiar ones. I’m just excited to see what everyone has to bring to the table in the coming weeks.
“All the returners want to end the season on the right note this time and leaving with some hardware from the national tournament sounds like a good way to do so.”
