MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. – Matt Cruz came to the Metro Jets three years ago as an above-average defenseman who was hoping to use hockey as a springboard to NCAA hockey.
Three years later, mission accomplished.
Last week, the 2000-born native of New Baltimore, Mich., committed to NCAA Division III New England College, a team that already boasts several Jets alumni in forwards Anthony Cinato, Jhuwon Davis, Connor Inger, Trevor Momot and Justin Renzi, in addition to goaltender Andrew Kormos.
“I’ve always been very interested in NEC, and it seemed like the place to be,” said Cruz, who served as the Jets’ captain this past season. “When Dakota Bell, NEC’s assistant coach, came and introduced himself to me at one of the USPHL Showcases this season, I was all in. Having past teammates of mine at NEC will make the transition that much easier and comfortable for me. I am very excited to reunite with them and get things rolling.
“I am very excited to get into NEC and work. My whole hockey life, I’ve been challenged and had to work for what I want, and I am ready to do that at this next level. I am ready to make a difference in any way I can.”
In the classroom, Cruz said he is looking to major in Business or Health Sciences.
Overall, Cruz said that he owes all of his success to the Jets and the organization’s well-documented development model.
“I owe all of my development to the Jets,” said Cruz. “I was a completely different player a few years ago. They transformed me into a well-rounded hockey player. They never spoke it, but basically what you put in during the season is what you’ll get out of it. They have all the resources to turn any player into a college hockey player, and I owe it all to them.
“My three years at the Jets were the best. Each year was very different and special in its own way. I went to China, twice winning bronze representing the USA with the Jets, had a shot at winning a national championship all three years, met some unbelievable people, and developed so much every year as a player. I am proud of what I accomplished, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”
Jets coach-GM Justin Quenneville and associate coach Jamie Lovell said the Jets takes pride in developing good hockey players into great hockey players and even better citizens.
“’Cruzy’ came here really green, but the potential was always there,” Quenneville said. “He really turned a page after his first season with us when he fully committed to his game on both sides of the puck. He worked off the ice just as hard, and it showed each season. Not only was he captain of the Jets this year, but he was a huge reason for our program returning to nationals. He is deserving of this opportunity and NEC will be getting an offensive defenseman with a big shot that can skate with the best of them. We are fortunate that NCAA opportunities are available here, and now Cruzy will join many past Jets at one of top programs in the country. We wish him the best of luck.”
“I couldn’t be more excited for Cruzy,” added Jets associate coach Jamie Lovell. “Over the past three years, it has been a pleasure to watch him develop from a young defenseman with a lot of raw skill coming out of midget hockey, to watching him grow into the mature, all around ‘do everything well’ defenseman we saw by the end of his time here with us. He was the ultimate leader of this program both on and off the ice this past season. Had he not got injured at the end of the season, who knows what might have been? Maybe we’d be saying that he finished off his last season of junior hockey as a champion. He was that important to our group and it definitely hurt not having him at 100 percent during the playoffs.
“But he’s off to better things now, a new chapter, college hockey, and I don’t doubt that Matt will bring that same work ethic and talent to NEC next season. They’re very lucky to have him. Looking forward to working with him more this summer at The MAT to prepare him for training camp in the fall.”
Last season, Cruz recorded five goals and 26 points in 36 games for the Jets and totaled 26 goals and 70 points in 122 regular-season games, as well as three assists in 13 USPHL playoff games.
At the end of the day, Cruz knows reaching milestones is anything but an individual effort.
“I would like to thank everybody I’ve ever played with,” Cruz said. “I started my hockey career when I was about five years old and I’ve met some incredible people. I am forever grateful for the memories and experiences we shared together. I would also like to thank my entire family. Throughout all of my hockey career, they’ve always been there for me.
“I would especially like to thank my mom and dad. Without them and all of the tremendous sacrifices they made for me during my hockey career, I hope me committing to a prestigious school like NEC would be my way of saying ‘thank you’ for always believing in me.”
Over the summer, Cruz has plans to get in the gym to get bigger and stronger, continue skating as much as he can, and work in landscaping to keep busy away from the rink.
