FRASER, Mich. – Kyle McCauley came to the Metro Jets this season with two years of prior USPHL experience under his belt.
From 2016-18, the 19-year-old Chesterfield native skated for the Wisconsin Rapids Riverkings before deciding to come home this season.
“My dad saw the online ad for the open tryouts for the spring development team and we both thought it was a no-brainer to come see what this organization is all about,” said McCauley. “We were both blown away with the way things were done here, and we both thought it was a good fit for my family and I. All I knew about the Jets is that they were highly successful from every aspect of junior hockey. From win-loss records all the way to college commitments, the organization as a whole brings out the best in its players.
“I love having the opportunity to play junior hockey while living at home, it’s a very comfortable situation for me, and I get more of a chance to give back to the game as a referee and an assistant coach with the 2009 Macomb Mavericks.”
A steady defenseman, McCauley said the current season has gone “very well.”
“I’ve been able to block out all of the distractions from not being home and am now able to just focus on going to the rink each day and getting better,” McCauley said. “Our team is a very blue-collar, hard-working type of team, which makes us better every day. No one ever takes a practice off and I love being a part of it.
“The coaching staff makes it so it’s not enough to just put on a jersey and go play come game time – everything is earned. I think having that mentality in our locker room makes guys want to work hard and push themselves every day. In the end, it makes everyone involved better.”
Jets coach-GM Justin Quenneville loves McCauley’s team-first attitude.
“Kyle has been steadily improving all season,” said Quenneville. “We immediately noticed his positive attitude and commitment level when he came in. He’s a versatile player and wants to learn every day at the rink. It’s always fun working with kids that want to improve their game. He’s a passionate player and he’s done a great job buying in here. You can see him benefit from this environment and our goal is to continue to see him grow as a player on the ice.”
Growing up, McCauley said he started skating “pretty much as soon as I could walk.”
“My dad and grandfather loved the game and I guess it just got passed onto me,” said McCauley. “I was very fortunate to have played with the ‘99 Macomb Mavericks growing up, playing alongside (current Jets) Trevor Granzow and Collin Day and many other great teammates and friends.”
For the rest of this season and into the future, McCauley has reasonable, reachable goals in mind he hopes to attain.
“What I want to accomplish this season doesn’t stand out on paper all the time,” McCauley said. “I just want to be the best hockey player that I can be and perfect my game for the college level.”
Outside of that, McCauley is pursuing the ability to officiate hockey at the highest possible level.
