FRASER, Mich. – Derek Dreher is a prime example of the old adage that hard work pays off.

A healthy scratch for much of the first half of the 2019-20 season for the Metro Jets, Dreher started to earn his spot on the MJDP team’s blue line and by the end of the year, was a key component on the back end.

“The process from being sat out a few games to being a relied-on player towards the end of the year and putting up points had to do with the work that I had put in every day at practice to better myself,” said Decker, a 2002 birth year out of Deckerville, Mich. “I knew that if I stayed motivated that I would get my chance in the lineup and improve on what I needed to. My confidence to make plays improved the most I think last year, whether that was joining a rush or making the smart and simple plays.”

Last season, Dreher put up two goals and nine points in 39 games during the regular season before going for a goal and a pair of helpers in four USPHL playoff games.

He’s hoping those numbers will be greater in 2020-21 after recently re-signing with the Jets.

“The decision to come back to the Jets was a no-brainer for me,” Dreher said. “The facilities and the coaching staff really helped to improve my game last year, and I hope to continue that track into next season.

“The facility and staff that we get the chance to work with is what I believe one of the best in the USPHL. The success of the Jets is really shown with the amount of college and NCAA offers produced every year.”

Jets associate head coach Jamie Lovell saw Dreher’s game progress steadily a season ago and is eager to see how that translates to the 2020-21 campaign.

“Derek Dreher is the reason I enjoy coaching at this level,” said Lovell. “To see the progression in the ‘big man’ from training camp to the tough end to our season in the playoffs was remarkable and so rewarding as a coach. Derek was a sponge and all he did was come to the rink with an attitude to listen, learn and work, day in and day out. 

“He went from being a player that was in and out of the lineup in the first month to being a key player down the stretch and in the playoffs, playing in every situation and contributing offensively. I can’t wait to see what we can do with him this coming season. I don’t think we have even scratched the surface of his potential."

As last season ended in the playoffs for Dreher and the MJDP team, that has only made everyone hungrier for the upcoming year.

“Not being able to be on the ice for weeks has me looking forward to getting back on the ice every day,” Dreher said. “During the stay-at-home order, I have been working out six days of the week with Coach Jamie's program, with some shooting and stick handling every other day. This summer, I plan on being on the ice as much as possible as soon as the arenas open up.”