MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. – Kade Bacon is entering his last season of junior hockey and hopes his season with the Metro Jets will be an experience he’ll use to keep playing hockey well past this season.

After playing more than 130 games in other junior leagues, including a season in the USPHL back in 2019-20, the 20-year-old defenseman has signed with the Jets for the 2021-22 campaign.

The 6-foot-5 Bacon was born in Grand Blanc, Mich., and lived in Linden, Mich., up until 11 years ago when his family moved to Wyoming. He’s now banking on a solid season back in his home state.

“I was excited when I connected with (Jets coach-GM) Justin Quenneville about mutual interest,” Bacon said. “The Jets are a well-known junior program and with all the success of the program, I knew this is where I wanted to be. The things that appealed me the most were the college advancements and how successful the team does every single season, on and off the ice.”

Quenneville and the Jets staff have known about Bacon for quite a few years and when the opportunity presented itself for Bacon to skate for the Jets, Quenneville made the move to get Bacon signed.

“We are excited about signing Kade,” Quenneville said. “He is invested in getting the most of his last junior season and willing to put in the work. Not only does he have junior experience, but he brings size and steadiness on the back end. We look forward to working with him full time and helping him get more college exposure.”

What can the Jets expect from Bacon once he touches down in Mount Clemens?

“I feel I can bring a very strong defensive game and be someone that can be relied on to be a calm and confident player,” said Bacon. “I will use what I’ve learned the last few seasons of junior hockey to make this year the best.

“My biggest goal right now is to be able to get more college opportunities and keep playing as long as possible.”