Jets lose Sunday 4-3, swept at home by Whalers

WATERFORD, Mich. - The Wisconsin Whalers defeated the Metro Jets 4-3 Sunday afternoon, taking both games from the Jets this weekend at Lakeland Arena.

Zack MacKay had a goal and an assist for the Jets, while Kenny Forton and Chad Bailey also scored.

In net, Trevor Kalinowski finished with 29 saves.

Ryan Martin scored twice for the Whalers.

The Jets (5-6-1) play just one game this week, on Saturday night at home against the Flint Jr. Generals.

Whalers jump on Jets, hang on for 6-4 win Saturday night

WATERFORD, Mich. - The Wisconsin Whalers took a 3-0 lead over the Metro Jets in the first period Saturday night and held on for a 6-4 win at Lakeland Arena.

Cody Jones, Brad Hepler and newly-acquired Kevin Shand (from the NAHL's Springfield Jr. Blues) all had a goal and an assist for the Jets (5-5-1) and Kameron Limburg made 28 saves in goal.

Matt Dempsey scored the other Metro goal and Carter Reid chipped in two assists.

For the Whalers, Jason Hoehn had two goals and an assist and goalie Tyler Lewis finished with 19 saves.

The two teams wrap up their two-game series Sunday at 11:50 a.m.

Timing right for Keego Harbor's Jones to join Jets

WATERFORD, Mich. – Cody Jones was drafted by the Metro Jets in the 2012 North American 3 Hockey League draft.

He chose not to report to the team.

Jones was then drafted again in the 2013 draft and this time, he wound up playing for the Jets.

He’s done more than just take up a roster spot, too. In fact, Jones has been one of the Jets’ more consistent and clutch players this season and has been at or near the top of the team scoring race much of the season.

In hindsight, though, Jones said waiting until after he graduated high school to play in the NA3HL was the right decision.

“I felt that the extra year gave me a chance to mature and to develop my skills that much more,” said Jones, a forward. “Last year playing for West Bloomfield High School, it taught me how to be a leader.”

Even with his early-season success, Jones realizes it’s too soon to get excited.

“I feel I have played well, but I know that there is definite room for improvement,” Jones said.

And with so many players leaving Michigan to play junior hockey, the fact Jones can still live at home and play Tier III hockey isn’t lost on the 18-year-old from Keego Harbor.

“It's awesome being able to play at the junior level and still be able to see you family everyday,” remarked Jones.

With new head coach Justin Quenneville in the fold, Jones said it was hard to see Jason Cirone move on to take a head coaching job at the ACHA college level with Midland University in Fremont, Neb., but he’s willing to see what Quenneville has to offer.

”Coach Jason taught me that keeping things simple is better,” said Jones. “If you do your job on and off the ice, only good things will happen. I'm very excited about the new coach. He's energetic and has a lot of great ideas, so I'm very excited to play for him.”

JET STREAKS

With the hiring of Quenneville, the past three Jets’ head coaches have all hailed from Canada – Quenneville is from Montreal, Cirone is a Toronto native and Jamie Hayden called Saskatoon, Sask., home.

Jon Cooper, who led the Jets to the 2002 national Junior B championship and is now the head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning, is from Prince George, B.C.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? 

After making his NHL debut last season with the Washington Capitals to become the first Jets’ alum to play in the NHL, defenseman Steven Oleksy figures to be a major component of the Washington blue line this season after cracking the opening night roster.

Oleksy, a 27-year-old Chesterfield native, scored a goal with eight assists for nine points last season to go along with 33 penalty minutes.

Captain's Corner - Cirone, Quenneville, Wisconsin Whalers

Each week during the 2013-14 season, Metro Jets’ captain Josh Beleski will give his thoughts on topics surrounding the team as it makes its way through the North American 3 Hockey League season, the 25th for the Jets as a junior franchise. 

-- On what Jason Cirone meant to him.

Jason has taught me a lot of things, but most of all, I think he has taught me to become a better man. When I first came to the team, I was really immature and didn’t know how to control my emotions, but he never gave up on me and worked with me every step of the way on and off the ice. Now two seasons later, he gave me the honor of leading my teammates into battle day in and day out. I owe a lot of my success to Jason and just want to say I’m thankful for the opportunity to play for him. Jason meant a lot to the team. He was a great coach and a great guy. If we ever needed help or advice, whether it was about hockey or everyday life, Jason was always there for us. Jason was like a second father to me. He taught me a lot since I’ve played for his team on and off the ice. I wish him the best of luck in Nebraska. He deserves it.

-- On how he found out Cirone was leaving the team.

Jason pulled me into the coaches’ room and asked me what my plans were for next season. At first, I didn’t think anything of it, but as we continued to talk, I could tell he was trying to hint at something. And that's when he told me that he would be leaving us after the Cleveland games. To be honest, I was shocked and didn't know what to say, but like he said, “As players, we are all trying to make it to a higher level of hockey and it’s no different for him as a coach.” In the end, it sucks because the team and I will miss him, but it’s something he needs to do for himself and his family. He’s the right man for the job and he is going to be a great college coach, there is no doubt about that.

-- On last weekend's games.

I think we had a decent weekend. It was tough because Coach Justin (Quenneville) runs a different system and we only had a week to prepare, but we were a lot better on our power play and penalty kill last weekend. I also thought we did a better job of getting more pucks on the net. I still think we have a lot more to show though and we will continue to get better. I think the team is adjusting well – Justin is a great coach and really knows the game of hockey. He expects a lot from the boys and I, but that will only make us better in the end. The guys like the way he coaches and I think he is going to take this team far.

-- On hosting the Wisconsin Whalers at home this weekend.

To be honest, I know nothing about Wisconsin, but we are just going to go out there and play our game and pressure them into the ground. If we just commit to Justin’s system, there won't be many teams that will be able to compete with us. 

Jets give Quenneville win No. 1 Saturday night in Fraser

FRASER, Mich. - A balanced scoring attack led the Metro Jets past the Michigan Mountain Cats by a 3-2 score Saturday night at the Great Lakes Sports City.

Cooper McLean, Travis Baranoski and Zach Kopinski scored to lead the Jets' offense and give head coach Justin Quenneville his first win since taking over the team last week.

Trevor Kalinowski took the win in net with a 30-save outing.

For the Mountain Cats, Max Vance and Abram Prince scored and Kevin O'Shea made 37 saves in goal.

The Jets (5-4-1) are now idle until next weekend when they host the Wisconsin Whalers Saturday night and Sunday afternoon at Lakeland Arena.

Podgorski's hat trick pushes Cherokee past Jets Friday night

WATERFORD, Mich. - Brett Podgorski scored three goals and added an assist as the Toledo Cherokee took a 4-2 win over the Metro Jets Friday night at Lakeland Arena, ruining Justin Quenneville's coaching debut with the Jets.

Kyle Downey and Carter Reid scored the Jets' goals, while Kameron Limburg stopped 20 shots between the pipes.

The Jets (4-4-1) travel to play the Michigan Mountain Cats Saturday at 5:15 p.m. at the Great Lakes Sports City in Fraser.

Cirone steps down, Quenneville named new Jets' head coach

WATERFORD, Mich. – The Metro Jets, proud members of the North American 3 Hockey League, announced today that head coach Jason Cirone has stepped down and Justin Quenneville has been named the Jets’ new head coach.

Cirone, who was in his fourth season in Waterford, will head up the new ACHA college hockey program at Midland University in Fremont, Neb., situated some 25 miles from Omaha. The team will start play with the 2014-15 season.

Quenneville was officially hired this past Monday and ran the team’s practice that morning.

“While we are certainly sad to see Jason go, because I feel he helped turn this organization around from where it was when he came in, we are thrilled for the opportunity he has earned for himself in Nebraska,” said Jets’ GM Butch Wolfe. “Justin and Jason share many coaching similarities and Justin comes highly recommended from Jason. We’re excited to start this new era with Justin behind the bench and look forward to building on the success Jason brought here.”

A 31-year-old native of Montreal, Quenneville played NCAA hockey at St. Michael’s College in the ECAC East from 2000-04 and then enjoyed a six-year pro career that included stops in the United Hockey League, ECHL and Central Hockey League.

From 2008-10, Quenneville was a player-coach with the CHL’s Corpus Christi Ice Rays and then stayed on as an assistant coach when the team moved to the North American Hockey League. From 2011-13, he was the Ice Rays’ head coach.

Quenneville took in the Jets’ two games at Lakeland Arena over the weekend against the Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks and came away impressed.

“This is a league I’m very familiar with and I also know the great reputation the Jets have in this league and in junior hockey,” said Quenneville. “When I was in Corpus, we recruited heavily in Michigan and always had several Michigan kids on our rosters. I grew up in Canada and it’s great to be back in a hockey market like the one here in Metro Detroit. There is so much hockey here and a strong core of players in this environment.

“As for our team, we look strong, though I’d like to see us get a little stronger on the offensive side of the puck. This is a very blue-collar team and we want to be that team that no one wants to play. I will also do everything I can to help promote these kids and get them to the next level, just like Jason did.”

Metro’s two assistant coaches, Randy Wilson and Tom Krajewski, will remain in their roles.

Quenneville and his wife, Courtney, reside in Berkley with their two dogs.

Quenneville will make his coaching debut this weekend at home as the Jets host the Toledo Cherokee Friday night at 7:50 p.m. The Jets then travel to Fraser to play the Michigan Mountain Cats Saturday afternoon.