FRASER, Mich. – Conner Graham realized earlier this season that timing is everything.

He was a late addition to the Metro Jets just before the team kicked off training camp.

“(Jets assistant coach) Randy Wilson contacted me just before players were reporting,” said Graham, an 18-year-old forward from Lake Orion. “I’m hoping to better my game and become a better all-around player this season. Hoping to start putting up more points and become more consistent with my game, too.”

Graham said that while his individual game is coming together, it helps playing for a team that has a winning attitude, both on and off the ice.

“From a personal standpoint, I think it has been an up-and-down kind of season, but from a team standpoint, I think it has been great,” Graham said. “Everyone comes to the rink in the morning ready to work and get better every day and it shows in our games. I think the coaching staff is great and the way practices are run and the environment in the locker room makes it fun and want to show up every day.”

Metro coach-GM Justin Quenneville knows that Graham is a work in progress, but both he and Graham are making the commitment to daily improvement.

“Conner has fit in perfectly here,” said Quenneville. “He has all the tools and his game has a ton of potential. Like any high school player, a small adjustment period takes place at first, but he wants to improve his game and get an opportunity to do something with his game. Everyone notices his skill set, but he has developed another part of his game where he has become more versatile. He has become very strong on draws and is doing a better job managing the puck.

“He has been rewarded lately for his play and the sky is the limit for this kid.”

Looking ahead, Graham said that his long-term goal is to give himself the chance to play college hockey.