MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. – Mount Clemens Ice Arena is home to the Mount Clemens Hockey Club and multiple high school programs, and will now have a premier junior program, the Metro Jets, in-house to create opportunities from learn to play all the way to junior hockey.
In addition, the MCHC will be re-branding to be known as the Jr. Jets.
“We have a lot of history with our program, and we are excited about helping grow this great game while aligning ourselves with a top-notch venue,” said Jets GM Justin Quenneville. “Players will continue to get the best platform to succeed and be surrounded by more great hockey opportunities. Our program is very unique and has had a lot of success helping players achieve their goals. Now, we get to create an exciting environment with an established hockey community where kids have a home long term.”
The MCHC was founded in 1994 and offers instructional, house and travel hockey all ages levels. MCHC is a non-profit 501c3 organization that has been home to over 15,000 young boys and girls participating in hockey.
Former NCAA and professional hockey player Jeff Blum serves as the president of the MCHC, an association that boasts some of the most influential coaches and teachers focused on developing youth hockey players.
“We are very excited about this opportunity and to be the home of the Metro Jets,” said Mount Clemens Ice Arena GM Nick Poliski. “They have established themselves as a premier organization in the United States and have a long history of winning and development. Justin and his staff are highly professional and motivated. I am looking forward to a long-lasting relationship.”
The Metro Jets recently completed their 2020-21 season (and 32nd season overall) as the regular-season champion in the United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL) and sent two teams to the USPHL National Tournament.
Overall, the Jets have captured four national championships, with the last one coming in 2018.
“It was another incredible season for both Jets teams,” Quenneville said. “We are the only junior program in the country that had two teams win their division and make it to nationals, but more importantly, we continue to commit helping develop and advance players to the next level. We are looking forward to continuing our model in an exciting and loud building for everyone to experience.”
With over 30 college commitments in the past three years alone and dozens of advancements, the Jets also saw in recent years several Jr. Jets players that have made the jump to play for the junior team, including Anthony Cinato, who was part of the 2018 national championship team and is now a freshman at NCAA Division III New England College.
Other former Jr. Jets players include Brodie Thornton and Max Hartwell and several others who played for the youth teams, followed by the Jets junior program.
In addition, former NHLer and 2016 Stanley Cup champion Steve Oleksy, who played for the Jets from 2002-05, is involved heavily with the Mount Clemens Ice Arena.
Planning has already started for the 2021-22 season. Anyone families or coaches interested in learning more or joining the Jr. Jets can contact Blum at SDhockeyCO@comcast.net.
For more information, visit MetroJetsHockey.com and follow the Jets on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
