FRASER, Mich. – Sometimes all it takes is word of mouth to make a career-altering decision.
Such was the case this past offseason with Metro Jets rookie forward Tyler German.
“I played for Salem High School with Matt Schaumburger (Jets forward 2017-18) my junior year and he told me he loved playing for the Jets,” said German. “He advised that I do the same.”
And he did.
German, an 18-year-old Canton native, signed with the Jets prior to the current 2018-19 season and through 19 games, has posted four goals and 10 points.
“From a personal standpoint, there is always room for improvement and I feel that I need to be stronger on the puck and just stronger in general,” said German. “From a team standpoint, I think we are doing really well. We’re a close group of guys, which helps a lot.”
Jets coach-GM Justin Quenneville has liked what he has seen from German to this point and knows that there is a good deal of talent still to be unlocked.
“Ty really impressed our staff early,” said Quenneville. “He’s a cerebral player and has a really good hockey frame (6-foot-2, 175 pounds). He has the size, speed and skill set to continue to climb the ladder. He just needs to get stronger and we have noticed an improvement consistently over the past month in particular. In my mind, he really found his stride during the tournament in China, but I think he’s become a valuable two-way forward for us of late. Sky is the limit for him.”
Prior to this season, German, who started playing hockey when he was five years old, said that he knew the Jets were a very well-known program with great coaching that many in the hockey community thought of in the highest regard.
“The Jets program can provide a lot of things from a great workout facility to a strong coaching staff that pushes you to be the best you that you can be every day,” said German. “It helps when you have such a great group of guys, too, that make you want to come to the rink every day.”
And as the season shifts into December shortly, German has his eye on immediate and future goals to accomplish.
“This season, I hope to better my all-around game offensively and defensively, as well as continue to be stronger on the puck, like I said before,” German said. “My long-term goal in hockey is to have the chance to play college hockey.”
