FRASER, Mich. – Several weeks into the season and the Metro Jets have their leadership group set.
Veteran forward Jeremy Schwartz has been chosen team captain, while defensemen Nick Drinkard and Devlin Macaulay and forwards Jhuwon Davis and Rhett Limback will serve as alternate captains.
All are 1998 birth year players and Michigan natives and all but Drinkard are in their second season with the Jets. Drinkard is a rookie.
According to Jets coach-GM Justin Quenneville, this is a very solid group of leaders.
“We are happy with this season’s leadership group and even more impressed with the core group of veterans that have returned,” said Quenneville. “They have all picked up where we left off from last year and it makes all our jobs easier. We are confident that all our leaders will carry the tradition of representing this team with the highest levels of respect, integrity and compete.”
Schwartz, a Warren native, said he was humbled to be selected to wear the ‘C’ for the Jets, an organization in its 30th season in 2018-19.
“It’s a great honor to be named captain, not only for the Metro Jets organization, but for my players who chose me as their leader,” Schwartz said. “Last year, I learned that great leadership takes great responsibility and seeing my previous captains do such a great job, they helped me fill the role as captain this year.
“This season, all five of us have a great mindset and work together to make sure everyone pushes themselves to get better and have a fun season.”
A Southgate product, Davis will forever be a part of Jets history for scoring the overtime winner in last season’s Fraser Cup national championship game.
“It means a lot to be named captain on such a great organization as the Jets, but it’s a big role to fill,” said Davis. “What I learned last year from the captains was just come to the rink everyday ready to work hard. Everyone is always watching what you’re doing, so just lead by example and bring it every day.
“The chemistry is getting pretty good going into our fifth week, and I think everyone is on the same page here and getting along nicely.”
Limback assisted on Davis’ clinching goal last March and is elated to be named a captain in his final junior season.
“It definitely means something special to be recognized by the boys, especially in a winning environment that we have here,” said Limback, an Alpena native. “I’m proud to be able to help show the younger guys how we do things the right way here. I’ve learned a lot over the past two junior seasons from the older guys that came before me, so it’s nice to return the favor.
“All of the leaders last year set the benchmark pretty high. As a new guy, they really made me feel like I was a part of their family since training camp. I cannot say enough about what Griffin Sawyer did for everyone last year. The amount of work he put in behind the scenes is something all of us should try and emulate.”
Macaulay, a native of Clarkston, sees being a captain as continuing the winning tradition the Jets have come to be known for over their 30-year history.
“I just want to help keep building what’s already been proven with an outstanding organization and helping new players bring forth everything they have to offer, to help this organization move forward,” Macaulay said. “Last year, each captain brought something different to the table and this year, the chemistry is really good. Players started bonding from the start of training camp and it’s been growing since with a lot of similar mindsets.”
Drinkard played high school hockey and decided to give the Jets a shot in 2018-19. Not only did he make the team, but he’ll have an ‘A’ on his jersey this season.
“It’s an honor to be recognized as a captain for such an organization like the Jets, who have produced many great hockey players, and I’m proud to be considered a leader of such a group,” said Drinkard, a Rochester Hills native. “For entering my last year of eligibility for junior hockey as a rookie, it was important to me to get the most out of the time I have left. Coming to the rink every day and having this mindset just drove me that much more to give my team everything I have to offer on and off the ice, which has really helped me connect with my teammates.
“This group we have here comes to the rink motivated to get better every day. It’s a group of respectable young men, and everyone is driven to do their best and wear the Jets sweater with pride.”
