Captain's Corner - Split with Cleveland, road trips, Devin Williams

Each week during the season, Metro Jets' captain Tommy Kilgore will chime in with his thoughts on what's going on with the team.

-- On splitting on the road in Cleveland last weekend.
I didn't attend this weekend, but I am happy with the split. Not many teams have beat Cleveland this year.

-- On overnight road trips.
The best part about the road trips is spending time bonding with one another and becoming closer as a team.

-- On former Metro goalie Devin Williams getting his first OHL win last Saturday night.
I think we are all happy for Willy because he's doing something not many people get the opportunity to at such a young age. It's only going to get better for him.

-- On playing Cleveland at home this Saturday night.
We need to work hard all week in practice and if we play to our strengths, we should have no problem taking two points.

Jets fall in Cleveland, settle for series split

CLEVELAND - Steve Klisz and Matt Stemkoski scored two goals apiece, but it wasn't enough as the Metro Jets fell to the Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks 7-4 Sunday afternoon as Cleveland earned a split in the weekend series.

Stemkoski added a pair of assists for a four-point game.

Dillon Kelley made 26 saves between the pipes for Metro.

The Jets (20-14-0-1) play just one game next weekend, welcoming Cleveland to Lakeland Arena on Saturday night for a 7:40 p.m. puck drop.

Williams gets win in first OHL start with Otters

Courtesy OttersHockey.com

Sudbury, ON - Dane Fox collected his first hat trick for the Erie Otters to help Devin Williams earn a win in his first OHL start, as the Otters defeated the Sudbury Wolves Saturday night, 7-4.

Liam Maaskant put the Otters on the board with 1:14 to go in the first period as he fired a shot from the right point off the crossbar for his fourth goal of the season.

The Otters offense continued to roll in the second period. During an Erie power play, Jake Evans took a great pass from Travis Wood and fired a shot through the blocker side of Joel Vienneau for his fourth goal of the season at 3:41.

Stephen Harper then scored his 14th goal of the season at 7:39 after banging in a rebound from an Evans shot to make it 3-0.

Vienneau's night would end when Fox fired a shot from the right circle through the wickets for his 18th goal of the season during a two-man advantage at 11:42.

The Wolves responded with a pair of goals in 52 seconds to make it a 4-2 Erie lead going into the third period.

Fox added his second of the game 1:19 into the third as he ripped a shot from the right circle under the crossbar to put the Otters back up by three.

Sudbury would not go down without a fight, and scored a pair two minutes and 13 seconds apart to pull within one. Harper effectively put the game away with his second goal of the game as his shot trickled through Johan Mattsson with 3:29 to go.

Fox then completed the hat trick with an empty net goal with 13.7 seconds remaining. Williams made 36 saves to earn his first OHL victory, and the Otters power play was sensational by going 5-for-9.

The Otters return home to Tullio Arena Friday night against the Brampton Battalion.

JETS NOTE: Williams went 9-9-0 this season with a 3.88 goals-against average and a .896 save percentage with the Jets.

Metro blows lead, beats Cleveland in nine-round shootout

CLEVELAND - The Metro Jets blew a two-goal lead in the third period, but came back to beat the Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks 4-3 after a nine-round shootout Saturday night.

Justin Shureb scored the deciding goal in the shootout for the Jets (20-13-0-1).

In regulation, Steve Klisz scored twice with an assist, Matt Stemkoski had a goal and a helper, Mike MacKinnon two assists and Dillon Kelley made 36 saves in goal.

The two teams conclude their weekend series Sunday afternoon at 1:30 p.m.

Jets' alum Moroso named to NAHL prospects event

WATERFORD, MI – Former Metro Jets forward Mike Moroso has been named to the NAHL Top Prospects Tournament and will play for Team North next month at the Troy Sports Center.

Moroso leads the Port Huron Fighting Falcons in scoring this season with 34 points (13 goals, 21 assists) through 41 games.

Last season, the 20-year-old Macomb native was second on the Jets with 20 goals and was third overall in team scoring with 36 points.

Other former NA3HL players who will play in the event include former Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks forward Adam Chapie (New Mexico) and former Cleveland goalie Gregg Gruehl (Amarillo).

The Top Prospects Tournament, which will be held from Feb. 20-22, will consist of 120 total players from the NAHL spread among six teams who will play in three games each. The event will feature teams from the Central, Midwest, North, South and West Divisions, along with an 18U Selects team comprised of some of the top players currently playing in the NAHL that were born in 1993 or later.

Also in Troy, the NA3HL will have representation as eight of the league’s 16 teams (Battle Creek, Cleveland, Flint, Metro, Michigan, Pittsburgh, Queen City and Toledo) will play four regular season games from Feb. 19-22.

The Jets will face Michigan (Sun. Feb. 19 at 7:30 p.m.), Toledo (Feb. 20 at 2:45 p.m.), Battle Creek (Feb. 21 at 9 a.m.) and Queen City (Feb. 22 at 12 p.m.) at the event.

Photo/Andy Grossman/Detailed Images

Jets' Hellebuyck to join younger brother in Odessa

WATERFORD, MI – Chris Hellebuyck will at least know one person in Odessa, Tex.

The Metro Jets’ forward is moving up to the North American Hockey League with the Odessa Jackalopes, a team his younger brother, Connor, plays for as the squad’s No. 1 goaltender.

Hellebuyck leaves the Jets as the team’s third-leading scorer with 21 goals and 40 points, also tied for the team lead in goals with Steve Klisz. He tallied 11 multi-point games, including a four-point outing on Sept. 9 against Flint.

“Hellebuyck is the perfect example of what hard work can do for a player,” said Metro coach Jason Cirone. “He plays in every situation and the rest of the guys follow his lead. He’s a leader on the ice and in the locker room and that’s a credit to him.”

Playing alongside Connor is something Chris hasn’t done since both played at Walled Lake Northern when Connor was a junior and Chris a senior. The duo also played on the same Mite team years back.

“My brother had a big part in my opportunity with Odessa by letting them know about me, but I think they also had noticed that I was having a good season so it all fit together well,” said Hellebuyck, a 19-year-old Commerce Township native. “It was nice having options, but I the situation with Odessa made me pretty excited. Connor has told me a lot of great stuff about their program and the chance to play with him again will be awesome.”

Cirone said he was consistently fielding calls from NAHL teams about Hellebuyck over the course of the season.

“There were several other teams that wanted Chris, but they just weren’t the right situation,” Cirone said. “I know (Odessa coach) Paul Gillis is a heck of a coach and does things the right way and I know the fans in Odessa are crazy about their hockey. I saw that first-hand when I would go in there a few years back when I played (in the Central Hockey League) for Rio Grande Valley. I think it will be an excellent situation for Chris.”

Drafted twice by the Jets (in 2010 and again in 2011), Hellebuyck said he couldn’t have made the jump to the NAHL without his stint in Waterford.

”I learned a lot from Jason this season, including a lot of the little things that I'll be able to take with me to the next level,” explained Hellebuyck. “It was great to have a coach like him and I have added a lot of the small things to my game so far. There will be a lot that I will miss leaving Metro, but I think the hardest part of leaving will be parting with my current teammates and coaches.

“It's a great program and I owe a lot to everyone involved.”

Photo/Andy Grossman/Detailed Images

Captain's Corner - Swept in Pittsburgh, readying for Cleveland

Each week during the season, Metro Jets' captain Tommy Kilgore will chime in with his thoughts on what's going on with the team.

-- On what went wrong last weekend in Pittsburgh.
We weren't mentally ready and it was only our second bad weekend all year. We knew it would happen, we didn't know when, but it's bound to happen. You can't win every game every weekend or we wouldn't have any competition.

-- On what went right in Pittsburgh.
We did look at is as a wake up call. We had been playing good for a while and this happens, so it shows we need to just keep working hard.

-- On practice this week.
We have to have high intensity practices that we work hard in and just get all four points this weekend.

-- On preparing to play Cleveland on the road this weekend.
We know we can be as good, if not better than Cleveland, so we need to play our game and just work hard every shift and just come out hard.

Jets send Mohr back to NAHL with Wichita Falls

WATERFORD, MI – Zach Mohr is the latest Metro Jets player to earn a promotion to the North American Hockey League as he was traded to the Wichita Falls Wildcats late last week and played in both games for the Wildcats over the weekend.

Mohr actually started the year in the NAHL with the Port Huron Fighting Falcons before joining the Jets in early November. Mohr tallied eight goals and eights assists for 16 points in 14 games with Metro. He went without a point last weekend as the Wildcats swept Corpus Christi in a battle of Texas-based teams.

“It’s a great feeling to get another shot at the NAHL,” said Mohr, a 19-year-old forward from Novi. “I’m going to try and make the best of it. My expectations are to come down here and try to contribute to the team every shift I get.”

Jets coach Jason Cirone, who has seen several players over the past 10 days make commitments for next year, knows Mohr will have a good showing in Wichita Falls.

“Zach was a really good player for us and I think he really fit in did everything we asked of him,” said Cirone. “I thought from the beginning when he came here that he was an NAHL-caliber player and in a good way, I hope he doesn’t come back here. He worked hard and earned this opportunity.”

Mohr said in the two-plus months he was in Waterford, he learned what it will take to keep his hockey progression moving upward.

“Jason is a great coach and it's obvious to everyone that he knows his stuff and moves players to the next level,” said Mohr. “The thing I learned from Jason was to trust my shot and keep my feet going at all times.

“’I’ll miss the guys the most. Every day I was there, it was fun and to me, that's what it’s all about.”

Definitely no sophomore slump for Jets' Bazin

WATERFORD, MI – Cameron Bazin wasn’t quite ready to hang up the skates.

After playing last season with the Metro Jets, once the season ended and the summer arrived, Bazin had his mind set on giving up the game and going to school full-time starting in the fall.

But like most athletes will say, it’s not always easy to give up all you’ve ever known. That was certainly the case with Bazin.

“I knew a lot of the guys on the team this year (new and old) and I kept in touch with some of them, so I felt that it wouldn't be that big of an adjustment to come back and join the team,” said Bazin, a 19-year-old from Troy. “We have a very solid group of guys on the team and so far, this year has been awesome, especially since we're winning games.”

Joining the team in early November, Bazin has since tallied 13 points in 18 games. He had just 10 points in 36 games during the 2010-11 season.

”The first couple games I played in, I had to get some rust out of my system,” Bazin said. “I knew that I could perform much better points-wise) than I was playing. I didn't let it frustrate me, though, and I just kept working hard. Lately, I have just been pretty much scoring everything and I have to give a lot of credit to the other guys that I'm on the ice with. We have been winning games and everyone is helping out, whether it's scoring goals, assisting them or just making good plays all around the ice.”

Bazin is also not one to toot his own horn as he definitely has a team-first attitude.

“One player can’t win you hockey games,” said Bazin. “It takes a whole team and we have a great team here this year. I'll do whatever I can to make sure everyone is rolling and that we never lay an egg out there. Whether it's by killing penalties, scoring goals, winning faceoffs or hitting, I'll hopefully find a way for us to win games and gain momentum.

”Being an older guy I think gives me more of an edge to know how we have to practice and then translate that hard work to our games. I try to always work hard and set an example for younger and older guys. I like to say I bring solid energy to the team and think that helps with everyone picking up their play and being on top of their game.”

One of Bazin’s teammates this season, fellow forward Mike MacKinnon, is also a Troy native and the two have been close friends for quite some time.

”I have known MacKinnon since middle school and have played on several teams with him, including at Troy Athens High School for two years,” explained Bazin. “He is a great player and great asset to our team. I talked with him at beginning of the year and he played a part in talking me into coming back and playing this year. I was not playing anywhere prior to signing with the Jets, although I constantly got on the ice every opportunity that I got.”

Sitting at 19 wins this season and starting to jockey for playoff positioning, Bazin has all the confidence in the world that the Jets will continue to see more notches in the win column.

“I feel we are going to finish with a real solid second half of the season and I think we can make a very strong push for the No. 1 seed in our division,” beamed Bazin. “With the squad we have this year, I think that we are one of the top teams in the whole league and that we can compete with any team in the league. I would be highly disappointed if all we did was make the playoffs and then lost. We should be pushing for that top spot in the division by time the season starts winding down and if I was 21 and in Vegas, I would be betting on the Jets to win the division.

“It's nice to be on the squad that is changing the Metro Jets name and making them contenders yet again.”


JET STREAKS

Defenseman Trevor Hillman (Beverly Hills, Mich.) was released prior to last weekend. He was the Jets’ top pick from last summer’s NA3HL draft and is expected to return next year to Waterford.


WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

Austin Brown, a defenseman who played for Metro during the 2005-06 season, is now a senior at Division III St. Scholastica College in Duluth, Minn.

This year, the 24-year-old Lathrup Village native is the top-scoring blueliner for the Saints with 18 points through 19 games and also leads the NCHA in defensemen scoring and with 15 power-play points.

After leaving the Jets, Brown played for the Alaska Avalanche (NAHL), Hawkesbury Hawks (CJHL) and Woodstock Slammers (MJAHL).

Jets play poorly, drop both games in Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH – A trip to Pittsburgh this weekend saw the Jr. Penguins creep up four points on the Metro Jets in the East Division standings with a convincing two-game sweep.

The Jr. Penguins jumped out to a 5-0 lead before the midway point of the game and never looked back in a 6-2 win over the Jets on Saturday night.

Alexander Lysyuk recorded a hat trick plus an assist for Pittsburgh and goalie Tyler Stepke stopped 19 shots between the pipes. Vico Necchio added two goals in the win.

Chris Hellebuyck and Matt Stirling scored the Jets’ goals, while Dillon Kelley and Eric Trunick combined for 19 saves. Kelley suffered the loss after allowing five goals on 12 shots through 22:46. For Trunick, it was his season debut after re-joining the Jets over the holiday break.

Sunday afternoon, Hellebuyck and Steve Klisz scored and Kelley and Trunick combined for 18 saves in a 7-2 defeat.

Nick Randazzo scored twice and added an assist for Pittsburgh, while Sean Keating finished with 25 stops in goal.

This upcoming weekend, the Jets (19-13-0-1) travel to Cleveland for a two-game set with the East Division-leading Jr. Lumberjacks.

Captain's Corner - Player advancements, Pittsburgh road trip

Each week during the season, Metro Jets' captain Tommy Kilgore will chime in with his thoughts on what's going on with the team.

-- On seeing three players make commitments for next season this week.
The mood has been great. All of the guys seem very confident and happy for each other.

-- On any advice he has given to players moving up, being that he played a handful of games with Port Huron (NAHL) last year.
I haven't told them much besides work hard and leave it all up there so they can see you at your best and play your game.

-- On what to expect this weekend in Pittsburgh.
I would expect nothing less than a sweep this weekend. We are on a roll right now and I know we can do it.

-- On his recent surge of offense.
I just relaxed and played my game and have been more confident. In the beginning of the season, I was trying too hard when I just needed to just go out and have fun.

Jets off to Pittsburgh this weekend for two-game set

WATERFORD, MI - The Metro Jets have jumped out of the gates to start the second half of the season.

The Jets swept the Michigan Mountain Cats in dominating fashion on home ice last weekend at Lakeland Arena. With the pair of wins, the Jets are now 13-4-0-0 at home and have won four straight since coming back from the holiday break.

"I thought our team played well," said Metro coach Jason Cirone. "We stuck to the game plan and were very persistent all weekend. We played a team that has run into some injury problems, but it's a team like that that you can't let have any life or they'll make you pay."

Saturday night, the Jets used seven different goal-scorers and a 13-save shutout from Dillon Kelley in a 7-0 win over the Mountain Cats.

With Devin Williams up with the OHL's Erie Otters the rest of the season, Kelley assumes the role of the No. 1 goaltender with junior veteran Eric Trunick serving as a capable backup.

"I'm very comfortable with Dillon Kelley in goal for us," Cirone said. "Trunick will be a good influence on Dillon and has already shown to be a great teammate. Dillon has been playing extremely well, but if he falters, I'm very comfortable with putting Trunick in there as well."

Mike MacKinnon had a goal and two assists for Metro, while Steve Klisz, Josh Beleski, Doug Andrews and captain Tommy Kilgore all had a goal and an assist.

Justin Shureb and Matt Stirling also scored and Chris Hellebuyck and Matt Stemkoski each contributed two assists apiece.

The Jets peppered Michigan goalie Schuyler Ferguson with 55 shots.

Sunday afternoon, Metro put 65 shots on Jordan Wood in taking an 8-2 victory.

Beleski scored three goals with a helper, while MacKinnon potted a pair and Klisz, Shureb and Adam Reid (first NA3HL goal) added singles to back Kelley’s 19 saves in goal.

Andrews tacked on five assists in the game. Hellebuyck and John Baker added two helpers each.

The Jets (19-11-0-1) travel to Pittsburgh this weekend for two games with the Jr. Penguins. Game time is 7:20 p.m. Saturday night and then a noon start Sunday.

"Pittsburgh is behind us in the standings and we'd like to keep them there," said Cirone. "I think they're aware of what we'll bring and what kind of a team we are. I don't think we're a secret any more. I've said all year that our division (East) is the best in the entire league and any team can win on any given night.

“The kids know what I want and what I expect and now it's up to them to go out and keep winning hockey games."

JET STREAKS

Three Jets made commitments for next season this week as Beleski signed a tender agreement with the NAHL’s Jamestown Ironmen, defenseman Will Shier tendered with the Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings, also of the NAHL, and forward Branden Morganroth committed to play for Oakland University’s ACHA Division I team.

More details on these commitments can be found at www.metrojetshockey.com.

Trunick, a 19-year-old Commerce Township native, played for Metro last year after an early-season trade from Cleveland and was 12-17-0 with a 5.04 goals-against average and a .872 save percentage.

On Jan. 14, the Jets released forward Tim Wlodkowski (Katy, Tex.) and he was subsequently picked up by Battle Creek. Wlodkowski had a goal and four points in 20 games this season after being drafted by Metro in the 19th round (292nd overall) of the NA3HL draft last June.

Forward Cameron Bruff scored his first NA3HL goal in the Jets’ 8-2 win at Battle Creek on Jan. 8.

Andrews and Bekeski were named the 1st and 2nd Stars, respectively, by the NA3HL for the week ending Jan. 15.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

Barry Haber, one of the goalies on Metro’s 2002 Junior B national championship team, owns his own remodeling company in Tallahassee, Fla.– Haber Remodeling.

Photo/Andy Grossman/Detailed Images

Morganroth to play at Oakland University this fall

WATERFORD, MI – And the upward player movements continue for the Metro Jets.

Forward Branden Morganroth is the latest to make plans for next year as the 20-year-old Highland native will play for the ACHA Division I team at Oakland University starting with the 2012-13 season.

Morganroth was actually supposed to play for the Grizzlies this season, but an academic snafu set him back a year. Even so, he’s overcome that obstacle, is having a solid year in Waterford and is looking forward to playing at OU this fall.

“They committed to me last June, but then in August, I got a letter that said I was not allowed to attend OU because in high school, I took online classes because of traveling for hockey and that those online classes didn't transfer over to OU,” said Morganroth. “I had no idea, so that's why I had to go back and play juniors again and make up those two classes at Oakland Community College.”

Morganroth has four goals and 10 points this season for the Jets, including a current four-game point streak heading into this weekend’s two-game series in Pittsburgh.

Jets coach Jason Cirone said that Morganroth came to camp with the team on a recommendation after he had only heard of Morganroth and had never seen him play.

“Branden has been a delight this season and he’s been through a lot,” said Cirone. “He’s gone from forward to defense and now back to forward, but not once has he complained. I’ve even had to sit him a couple games due to the fact we are so deep up front, but again, no complaints. He never asks why and has always put the team first. Those are the types of players you want to see succeed, not only in hockey, but in life.

“He’s played all five positions for us, and played them all extremely well, and would probably play goal if I asked him to.”

To be able to play at Oakland will be a homecoming of sorts as OU’s assistant coach, Nick Tomczyk, was an assistant coach when Morganroth played Midget hockey for the Oakland Jr. Grizzlies.

“Tomczyk contacted me asking if I would be interested in playing for their school and of course I couldn’t say no,” said Morganroth. “Oakland is the university I have wanted to go to since I was in high schoolI wanted to be able to go to school and play for an elite university close to home because in previous years, I lived out of state in Wyoming and also in Kalamazoo where not many friends or family could ever watch me play.

“Oakland is a first-class program. It’s run flawlessly by the coaches and their staff members and it definitely compares to any NCAA D-I program. As for the team, it’s an awesome squad; they’re very talented and know how to win. They have been a winning team and ranked at the top nationally every year with national titles (2004, 2006 at the D-II level and 2007 at D-I level) to their credit. I couldn’t be more excited to begin my season there next fall and help them to pursue another national title.”

Morganroth said he has narrowed his academic major down to architectural engineering or something in the medical field. OU just enrolled its inaugural class in its new medical school last August.

Looking at the present, Morganroth is aiming to help get the Jets into the NA3HL playoffs for the first time in five years and to improve on his game to get it ready for the college slate.

“Jason and the Jets organization has helped me to focus on my defensive play and helped me to develop more skill to my all around game,” said Morganroth. “I have also learned to never give up until it is over and to go as hard as I can throughout practice and games to become better and better each time I step onto the ice.”

Oakland currently has five former Jets on its D-I roster in defenseman Mike Corder (2009-11) and Jacob DeSano (2007-09) and forwards Art Dore (2007-08), David Merkle (2009-10) and Adam Novack (2007-09). Both Corder and Novack are former Metro captains.

NA3HL names Andrews, Beleski as Stars of the Week

The North American 3 Hockey League (3HL) today announced the Three Stars of the Week, presented by Combat Hockey, for the week ending Jan. 15, 2012.

The Three Stars of the Week is a weekly feature during the 2011-12 regular season that honors the top performing players each week of the regular season as nominated by their respective teams.

1st Star: Doug Andrews, forward, Metro Jets

Andrews, 19, helped the Jets to a weekend sweep of the Michigan Mountain Cats by recording seven points (goal, six assists) in two wins.

The Macomb native struck for a goal and an assist in Saturday’s 7-0 win. Then on Sunday, Andrews tied a 3HL season-high with five assists in one game as Metro recorded the weekend sweep with an 8-2 win over the Mountain Cats.

For the season, Andrews has 37 points in 31 games played and is fourth on the Jets roster in scoring.

“He has come a long way since arriving at camp and one of the most improved players on the roster,” said Jets head coach Jason Cirone. “He works very hard and knows how to distribute the puck.”

2nd Star: Josh Beleski, forward, Metro Jets

Beleski, 18, also had a great weekend in helping the Jets sweep over the Mountain Cats as the Southgate native recorded six points (four goals, two assists) in two games.

Beleski recorded a goal and an assist in Saturday’s 7-0 win. On Sunday, he recorded a hat trick and an assist in an 8-2 win. Beleski, who very recently signed an NAHL tender to play for the Jamestown Ironmen next season, has 23 points in 26 games played this season.

“Josh has really played well of late and I think the tender to Jamestown has been affirmation of that,” said Cirone. “He is a centerman and understands how to win face-offs and do the little things. We drafted him No. 1 two years ago and glad we showed patience in him.”

The 3rd Star was Flint Jr. Generals defenseman Hayden Hanson.

Kalamazoo tenders Metro defenseman Shier

WATERFORD, MI – The Metro Jets announced today that second-year defenseman Will Shier has signed a tender agreement with the Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings of the North American Hockey League for the 2012-13 season.

Shier’s agreement follows Josh Beleski signing with the Jamestown Ironmen earlier this week and is the third Jets’ player to commit to an NAHL team this season after defenseman Adam Reid inked with the New Mexico Mustangs last month.

A tender is a contract of sorts a player signs announcing his intentions to play for that particular NAHL team and that NAHL team only. Once a player signs a tender with an NAHL team, his playing rights belong to that team within the NAHL and he may not be recruited by any other NAHL team. Each team is granted eight tenders - plus or minus any trades - which become active on Nov. 1. Tendered players are not eligible for the NAHL draft.

“The head coach of Kalamazoo, Marc Fakler, approached me after my second game of the NA3HL Showcase in Chicago (in December),” explained Shier, a 19-year-old from Sterling Heights. “He told me he had been watching me closely and he thought my game has improved greatly since the pre-draft camp last summer and that a step up to the NAHL next season would be good for me.”

Fakler then invited Shier to Kalamazoo the following week to show him the rink and the city and to meet the team staff.

“I thought the facility (Wings Stadium) was amazing and the staff was great, so when I was offered the tender, I gladly accepted,” said Shier, the Jets' top-scoring defenseman with 14 points in 30 games. “I have been watching the team and I think their record speaks for itself. Being a first-year team and doing as well as they are shows that Kalamazoo is a top-notch organization with excellent coaching. I definitely want to be a part of that next season.”

Metro coach Jason Cirone said when the Jets acquired Shier last season from the Yellowstone Quake of the Northern Pacific Hockey League, he saw potential for Shier to be a big-time player with the Jets.

“When we got Will, I noticed a few things he needed to work on and to his credit, he’s done everything I’ve asked and has evolved into a dominant defenseman in this league,” said Cirone. “I just tweaked a few things, but Will is the one who went out and did all the work. He gets all the credit for what he’s accomplished. He plays more than 30 minutes a game for us and I see him making a major impact next season with Kalamazoo.”

Earlier this season, Shier earned a call-up to the NAHL’s Port Huron Fighting Falcons and took notice of what goes into being an NAHL-caliber player.

”After playing a few NAHL games, I now know what the league is all about and what is expected of its players,” Shier said. “I have been working hard to improve every aspect of my game and will continue to push myself to get ready for next season. With the help of Coach Cirone, I am confident I can step in and make Kalamazoo's lineup next season.

”It was an easy decision to come back this year and play for the Jets again. I knew this would be the best place for me to work on my game and also be seen by scouts. Jason is constantly helping me fine-tune my game and I credit him with getting my game to where it needed to be to receive this opportunity. The NAHL produces some of the top junior players and through hard work, I believe I can join that group of players.”

Photo/Andy Grossman/Detailed Images

Beleski tenders with NAHL's Ironmen

WATERFORD, MI – The Metro Jets announced today that forward Josh Beleski has signed a tender agreement with the Jamestown Ironmen of the North American Hockey League.

A tender is a contract of sorts a player signs announcing his intentions to play for that particular NAHL team and that NAHL team only. Once a player signs a tender with an NAHL team, his playing rights belong to that team within the NAHL and he may not be recruited by any other NAHL team. Each team is granted eight tenders - plus or minus any trades - which become active on Nov. 1. Tendered players are not eligible for the NAHL draft.

Beleski signed his tender immediately after the Jets’ 8-2 win over the Michigan Mountain Cats on Sunday afternoon at Lakeland Arena.

“Jamestown’s chief scout, Dwayne Smith, who I’ve known a long time, had been in touch with me asking how Josh had been playing,” explained Metro coach Jason Cirone. “I told him he’d been improving and that he was a player I could see playing at the North American Hockey League level next season. Josh picked a heck of a game to score a hat trick on Sunday with Dwayne in the stands and he approached Josh after the game with the tender and he signed it on the spot.”

“Being offered a tender after the game was a little unexpected,” said Beleski, an 18-year-old from Southgate. “I saw Dwayne Smith in the stands watching what turned out for me to be a highlight game. To be honest, there was a lot of information to absorb in a short period of time and it is still sinking in, but making the decision to sign did not take long. It is a great opportunity for me and I was not going to pass it up.”

This season, Beleski is seventh in Jets scoring with 12 goals and 11 assists for 23 points.

Beleski was actually drafted by the Jets in 2010 and made the team, but chose to go back and play his senior year of high school for Southgate Anderson High School. This season, he looked at what the Jets could offer and decided to take the opportunity.

“I thought Josh could have played in this league last year,” said Cirone. “He made the decision to go play high school and we didn’t push him. We respected his decision, but we stayed in touch and showed patience. This year, I think he’s dedicated himself to being a junior hockey player and I don’t expect him back with us next year. He’s worked extremely hard and I’m extremely proud.”

And while a tender doesn’t guarantee Beleski a spot on the Western New York-based Ironmen next season, he’s planning to fine-tune some aspects of his game the rest of this season and into the spring and summer months.

“There are definitely things I need to improve on to become a better, well-rounded hockey player, but if I had to choose one, it would be my game away from the puck,” said Beleski. “Jamestown is definitely a stepping stone and one I look forward to taking. It has been a goal of mine to play college hockey and I know with hard work and determination good things will happen.”

Beleski also said playing this season in Waterford has been rewarding and he credits Cirone for helping to boost his game to the point where the NAHL has taken notice.

”Playing juniors has been a great experience and Jason is a great coach,” beamed Beleski. “With his knowledge and commitment, he has taught me a lot this year. My confidence is the highest it has been in a long time and I feel with hard work that I can achieve greater things.”

Beleski is the second Metro player to sign an NAHL tender after defenseman Adam Reid tendered with the New Mexico Mustangs in late December.

Jets complete sweep of depleted Mountain Cats

WATERFORD, MI - The Metro Jets swept the Michigan Mountain Cats in dominating fashion on home ice last weekend at Lakeland Arena.

With the pair of wins, the Jets are now 13-4-0-0 at home.

"I thought our team played well," said Metro coach Jason Cirone. "We stuck to the game plan and were very persistent all weekend. We played a team that has run into some injury problems, but it's a team like that that you can't let have any life or they'll make you pay."

Saturday night, the Jets used seven different goal-scorers and a 13-save shutout from Dillon Kelley in a 7-0 win over the Mountain Cats.

With Devin Williams up with the OHL's Erie Otters the rest of the season, Kelley assumes the role of the No. 1 goaltender with junior veteran Eric Trunick serving as a capable backup.

"I'm very comfortable with Dillon Kelley in goal for us," Cirone said. "Trunick will be a good influence on Dillon and has already shown to be a great teammate. Dillon has been playing extremely well, but if he falters, I'm very comfortable with putting Trunick in there as well."

Mike MacKinnon had a goal and two assists for Metro, while Steve Klisz, Josh Beleski, Doug Andrews and captain Tommy Kilgore all had a goal and an assist.

Justin Shureb and Matt Stirling also scored and Chris Hellebuyck and Matt Stemkoski each contributed two assists apiece.

The Jets peppered Michigan goalie Schuyler Ferguson with 55 shots.

Sunday afternoon, Metro put 65 shots on Jordan Wood in taking an 8-2 victory.

Beleski scored three goals with a helper, while MacKinnon potted a pair and Klisz, Shureb and Adam Reid (first NA3HL goal) added singles to back Kelley’s 19 saves in goal.

Andrews tacked on five assists in the game. Hellebuyck and John Baker added two helpers each.

The Jets (19-11-0-1) travel to Pittsburgh next weekend for two games with the Jr. Penguins. Game time is 7:20 p.m.Saturday night and then a noon start Sunday.

"Pittsburgh is behind us in the standings and we'd like to keep them there," said Cirone. "I think they're aware of what we'll bring and what kind of a team we are. I don't think we're a secret any more. I've said all year that our division (East) is the best in the entire league and any team can on any given night. The kids know what I want and what I expect and now it's up to them to go out and keep winning hockey games."

Kilgore's three points lead Jets past Battle Creek

BATTLE CREEK, MI - Metro Jets captain Tommy Kilgore scored twice and added an assist as the Jets took an 8-2 win over the Battle Creek Jr. Revolution Sunday afternoon.

With the two victories this weekend, the Jets now have two more wins (17) than all of last season (15).

Every Metro player except defenseman Zach Schlacht and goalie Dillon Kelley recorded at least one point against Battle Creek.

Cameron Bazin and Branden Morganroth each had a goal and an assist, while Mike MacKinnon and Steve Klisz had two assists apiece.

Cameron Bruff (pictured) notched his first NA3HL goal and Chris Hellebuyck, Zach Mohr and John Baker scored as well.

Kelley finished with 43 stops for the win.

The Jets (17-11-0-1) host the Michigan Mountain Cats next weekend at Lakeland Arena. Game time Saturday night is 7:40 p.m. and Sunday morning at 11:50 a.m.

Beleski's late goal holds up as Jets edge Flint

WATERFORD, MI - Josh Beleski's goal 8:29 into the third period snapped a 3-3 tie and the Metro Jets held on to defeat the Flint Jr. Generals 4-3 Saturday night at Lakeland Arena.

Dillon Kelley (pictured) made 31 saves in goal for the Jets, who were playing their first game since losing 7-6 in a shootout in Flint back on Dec. 18.

Cameron Bazin had a goal and an assist for Metro, while Justin Shureb and captain Tommy Kilgore also scored.

Metro (16-11-0-1) travels to Battle Creek tomorrow afternoon to play the Jr. Revolution at 1 p.m.

The Jets host the Michigan Mountain Cats next weekend for a two-game set at Lakeland. Game time is 7:40 p.m. on Saturday night with an 11:50 a.m. start scheduled for Sunday afternoon.