MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. – Will Augustine came to the Metro Jets prior to the 2018-19 season looking for playing time and the chance to improve his game to potentially have a shot at college hockey if the opportunity presented itself.
That opportunity started with playing for the MJDP, then the Metro Jets , and now has evolved into the NCAA.
Augustine, a 2001-born Livonia, Mich., native who turned 21 on May 8, leaves the Jets as the USPHL’s all-time shutouts leader and has recently committed to play NCAA Division III hockey next season at Rivier University, a newer program with its campus located in Nashua, N.H.
“The thing I found most appealing about Rivier was being a part of a young team and having the opportunity to make an immediate impact going into my freshman year,” said Augustine. “The coaching staff is very knowledgeable, bringing competitive expectations, and also has a goalie coach present daily that can continue to help me make adjustments in my game. Also, it’s a smaller school that will help me get back into the swing of things academically for the smoothest transition possible.
“It’s very exciting to make this commitment and getting the opportunity to play at the NCAA level and getting a great education at the same time. I hope to come in my freshman year and really bond with all the guys and get as much chemistry going as early as possible. I know they have quite a few new guys for next year as well, so I won’t be the only one coming to a new team.”
Academically, Augustine is looking at a business/marketing major, saying, “It will definitely be a different step for me at the beginning, but I’m confident I’ll be able to adjust to the college life fast.”
Over the course of his time with the Jets, Augustine and the Jets made the USPHL National Championships each year, going to the title game in 2019 and 2022. Overall, Augustine went 55-14-0 with a 1.91 GAA and a .934 save percentage, notching 12 shutouts in a Jets uniform.
“Will has come a long way in his time with the Jets,” said Jets coach-GM Justin Quenneville. “He is a perfect example of development and commitment. He started with the MJDP, which provided him the same platform and opportunities. He was able to get ample playing time and attention. Will took advantage of it and continued to progress. Fast forward a few years later, and he is between the pipes for the national championship game just over a month ago and now an NCAA commitment. He has done a great job focusing on his game and maturing every year. We are fortunate to have a full-time experienced goalie coach in Randy Wilson to guide our guys and it’s a big reason for our continued success in net. Our goalies get the development, the exposure and, ultimately, the advancement because of our platform and relationships.
“Rivier has a strong program with exceptional coaching. He will fit in great. We wish Will the best of luck.”
Wilson mirrored Quenneville’s sentiments.
“I’m extremely happy to see that Will has committed to NCAA Rivier University to continue his hockey career,” said Wilson. “To witness his development and growth as a competitive goaltender over the past four years has been very rewarding for me as his coach. From the first day he joined our Metro Jets program, he has always displayed a very mature attitude and a solid work ethic to become an elite junior goaltender. No doubt he will bring the same qualities to Rivier.
“I know that Coach (Matthew) Keating’s Raiders hockey team is getting a quality goalie that will prove to be a valuable asset, both on the ice and in the classroom.”
All the accolades aside, Augustine said the Jets program helped him take strides in his game and gave him the confidence that he would not have had elsewhere.
“Coming from a struggling high school hockey team my sophomore and junior year, the Metro Jets gave me a great opportunity to keep playing hockey and at a great level,” Augustine said. “Four years later, I’m leaving the Jets with an NCAA scholarship and a ton more experience than when I first came in. I matured volumes as a person and am leaving with a lot more confidence in my game. I can’t thank my family and close friends, especially the Jets coaching staff, and previous coaches enough for being a great support system through everything I’ve faced and helping me better myself every day.
“I give a special thanks to my mom and dad (Marsha and John) for all the long car rides to tournaments over the years and countless cold rinks early in the morning any day of the week, whether it meant missing work or traveling while being sick or tired. Randy also had a huge part in me playing for the Jets as I was recruited out of high school by him from the reference of Dan Phelps. Working with Randy every day for the past four years really helped get me ready to play and compete at the college level and is someone I’ll never forget. He made a huge impact on me as a hockey player through confidence and faith in me but made an even bigger impact in my life as a person teaching me many life lessons along the way.”
And in reflecting on how fast the past four seasons have gone by, Augustine said he will never forget the countless memories made with the Jets organization.
“I will always remember our 2019 China trip as a whole,” said Augustine. “Between us winning bronze in the tournament and (Jets associate head coach) Jamie (Lovell) singing ‘I Want It That Way’ at karaoke is something I will remember for a lifetime. Our trip to nationals this year stands out, making it all the way to the final game. Even though we didn’t win it all, it was a great journey with some great people, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything else.
“I would do it all over again every single time and can’t thank the staff members and all the teammates I had over the last four years enough for the memories and friendships that were made along the way.”
