Former Jets' captain Stirling joins former teammates at Oakland

WATERFORD, Mich. – Matt Stirling won’t be heading to Oakland University this fall on a blind whim.

Already an exceptional student at the Rochester, Mich.-based school, the former Metro Jets’ three-year captain will start his college hockey career for the Grizzlies, an ACHA Division I institution.

Stirling joins ex-Jets’ teammates Doug Andrews, who will also be a freshman on the ice, and sophomore forward Tommy Kilgore, another former Metro captain, and second-year defenseman John Baker.

“There weren’t too many other logical options for me after the season,” explained Stirling, a 21-year-old forward from Dexter, Mich. “I had a couple chances elsewhere, but none of those options were as logical as going to Oakland. Already being involved with the school during my last season at Metro, the transition was an easy one to make. “(OU coach) Gordie (Schaeffler) met with me during the showcase in Troy last season. We talked over my options and since I was already at the school for academics, it was an easy transition when he asked me to play hockey there as well.”

And getting to re-connect with former Metro teammates is what Stirling calls “one of the most exciting parts of this upcoming season.”

“Doug will be there and after playing with him for two years at Metro, it is exciting,” Stirling said. “The other guys like Baker and Kilgore are just more pieces to a quality team at Oakland. Knowing how these guys play makes the team better off and makes the transition from juniors to college easier.”

Over his three years with the Jets, Stirling skated in 139 games and averaged better than a point per game with 60 goals and 96 assists for 156 points. Last year, he finished fifth in North American 3 Hockey League scoring with 73 points on 22 goals and 51 assists and also served as the Jets’ captain after two years as an alternate.

Now heading to OU to become the prototypical student-athlete, Stirling has all his ducks in a row, so to speak.

“The classroom stuff is mostly decided,” said Stirling. “Being almost a junior at Oakland, I have chosen to major in business and more importantly, finance. The on-ice aspect will be interesting. I plan to be a versatile player for Gordie next season and will do anything he asks to help us win. My role on the team will develop later on, but I plan to give it 100 percent and show the team that I can do multiple things on the ice. My main goal for this next season is to win a championship.”

Ever the classy individual, Stirling acknowledged those people that guided him along his hockey path.

“There are many people I would like to thank for getting me to this point in my career,” Stirling said. “First, I would like to thank my parents. Without their support, I would not be where I am at today in not just my hockey career, but life in general. Secondly, I would like to thank (Metro head coach) Jason Cirone. He developed me as a player and a person from our first year all the way through the end of last season. Without him landing a spot at Metro three years ago, I would have no idea where I would be in my hockey career.

“Lastly, I would like to thank all the teammates from the past three seasons. I have learned a lot about them and in return, they have put me in situations that I have learned from and will take with me to the next level.”

Jets' veteran forward to continue career at Oakland

WATERFORD, Mich. – Doug Andrews has parlayed two strong seasons with the Metro Jets into an opportunity to play college hockey.

The 21-year-old Macomb native recently committed to play for the Oakland University ACHA Division I team and will join the Grizzlies with Matt Stirling, a teammate the past two seasons with the Jets.

“The opportunity to play for OU came up during the (NA3HL) showcase in Troy last year,” explained Andrews, who served as an alternate captain during the 2012-13 season. “Coach (Jason) Cirone told me (OU coach) Gordie Schaeffler was interested in me and he came out to watch some games. We were in contact after that, so I attended their summer camps to find out more about the team. Oakland just seemed to be a good fit for me. It is close to home and I can continue with my education, work, workouts and hockey. This combination will work out for me.”

Last season with Metro, Andrews finished second in team scoring with 21 goals and 33 assists for 54 points in 46 games. He also registered a plus-6 rating and was second on the team with five power-play goals and tied for the team lead with three game-winning goals. Andrews had a monster game on Feb. 10 at Quad City with a five-goal, three-assist performance and wound up being the NA3HL Third Star of the Week for his efforts.

During the 2011-12 campaign, Andrews struck for 17 goals and 50 points while playing in all 48 regular-season games.

Along with Stirling, Andrews will be reunited at OU with ex-Jets’ teammates John Baker and Tommy Kilgore, both of whom skated in Waterford during Andrews’ rookie season.

“I am extremely happy about the opportunity to play with some of my former teammates again,” Andrews said. “It'll be fun to reunite with them on the ice. We all have similar goals and all want to win. I just can’t wait to get back on the ice.”

Andrews said he has goals and expectations for his first season at Oakland and they lean heavily on improving and rounding out his game, while finding his niche in the classroom.

“Next season, I really want to prove myself to be one of the best players on the team,” said Andrews. “I fully expect to produce every game. I will give 100 percent effort and be ready to play in every situation Coach Schaeffler puts me in. I've really been focused on working out this summer with Joe Neal and Matt Hendricks at 2SP. We've concentrated our efforts on strength-training. I feel confident that my game will improve because of this commitment. I am determined to keep pushing myself.

“As for my education, I will continue taking classes and pursue a degree in business. This will provide opportunities for my future. Education is one of my No. 1 priorities now.”

When players earn the chance to advance their careers, most times they take a step back and focus on who and what helped push them to this point in their careers.

Andrews is no different.

“Several people have influenced my hockey career,” Andrews said. “Most recently has been Andy Oleksy and Fred Costello (with the Troy Sting) who were extremely instrumental in getting me to play for Metro. These coaches played a valuable role in getting me where I am today. Also, I am thankful to (Jets’ GM) Butch (Wolfe) for giving me the opportunity to play for the Metro Jets. Most significantly, I appreciate Jason for putting me in situations to succeed. He taught so many little things that really helped me be the player that I am. He knows so much about the game through his past experiences that whenever he has something to say, you definitely listen and take it in.

“Lastly, I would like to thank my parents for their support throughout all these years. I couldn’t have done any of this without them.”

Former Metro goalie Williams being watched by NHL

Courtesy NA3HL.com 

Devin Williams, a former goalie in both the North American Prospects Hockey League and the North American 3 Hockey League, has been selected to the 2013-14 NHL Central Scouting Futures List.

The selection comes after Williams, 17, spent the entire 2012-13 season with the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League.

The NHL Central Scouting Futures List is a preliminary list that highlights future ‘A’ and ‘B’ rated players, who are projected to go in the first three rounds of the 2014 NHL Draft. The 2014 NHL Draft is scheduled for June 27-28, 2014, and will be hosted by the Philadelphia Flyers at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.

Williams played the 2010-11 season in the NAPHL for the Motor City Metal Jackets 16U team, putting up a 2.17 GAA over 10 games during the regular season. After being a late cut at the end of the Erie training camp, Williams continued his development, starting the 2011-12 season with the Metro Jets of the NA3HL. While playing with the Jets, Williams went 9-9-0 with a 3.88 GAA and a .896 save percentage in 19 games.

Williams was first called up to Erie in early October and served as a backup for Erie starter Tyson Teichmann. When Teichmann was traded at the OHL trade deadline in January, Williams was up for good with Erie and got a win in his first start beating the Sudbury Wolves 7-4 on January 28, 2012.

In his first full season with the Otters in 2012-13, Williams played 33 games, attaining an 8-17-1 record with a 4.64 GAA.

Accolades are nothing new for Williams as he has been selected to many prestigious teams such as the gold medal-winning USA-17 team at the 2011 Under-17 Five Nations tournament and was also selected to the 18U USA team that participated in the 2012 Ivan Hlinka Memorial tournament, in which he shared the net with another former NAPHL goalie, Thatcher Demko.

Jets and Fitness 19 come to working agreement

WATERFORD, Mich. – The Metro Jets are aiming to have a talented team this coming season in the North American 3 Hockey League.

They’re also looking to be the most fit squad in all of the NA3HL and with today’s announcement that the team has come to an agreement with Fitness 19 in Commerce Township to train at their facility during the 2013-14 season, the Jets are well on their way.

“We would like to thank the staff at Fitness 19 for working with us on this agreement and look forward to working with them once our players get to town,” said Metro GM Butch Wolfe. “Having our players in the best shape they can possibly be is a philosophy I share with our coaching staff and with this working agreement with Fitness 19, the players will have more than adequate access to all the training tools they need.”

Jets’ players will be going to the gym twice a week as a team with supervised training by the coaching staff and Fitness 19 staff.

For more information on the Fitness 19 Commerce Township location, click HERE.

The Jets continue to gear up for their 25th junior hockey season in 2013-14. The team’s main tryout camp is scheduled for August 9-11 at Lakeland Arena in Waterford.

Follow the Jets all season long at their official website, on Twitter and on Facebook.

And the accolades continue for ex-Jets' goalie Nedeljkovic

Courtesy NA3HL.com 

It has been quite a year for former Metro Jets' goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic.

The netminder from Parma, Ohio, who appeared in nine games in the NA3HL with the Jets during the 2012-13 regular season, just had two incredible honors to add to his growing list of accomplishments.

Nedeljkovic, 17, is one of 21 players, a just two goalies, who participated at the USA Hockey Boys’ Select 17 Player Development Camp that have been chosen for the U.S. Under-18 Select Team that will compete at the 2013 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament Aug. 5-10 in Breclav, Czech Republic, and Piestany, Slovakia. The Boys’ Select 17 Player Development Camp took place from June 28-July 3 at the Northtown Center at Amherst in Williamsville, N.Y.

Following the National Team announcement, Nedeljkovic was then listed as a part of the 2013-14 NHL Central Scouting Futures list. The NHL Central Scouting Futures List is a preliminary list that highlights future ‘A’ and ‘B’ rated players, who are projected to go in the first three rounds of the 2014 NHL Draft. The 2014 NHL Draft is scheduled for June 27-28, 2014 as will be hosted by the Philadelphia Flyers at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.

It capped off quite a year for Nedeljkovic, who spent the majority of the season playing in the major junior Ontario Hockey League for the Plymouth Whalers. Not only did Nedelkjovic make the first-team OHL Rookie Team, but he was also named as the Whalers Rookie of the Year, posting a 2.28 goals-against average and a. 923 save percentage in 26 games.

He was also named the Whalers high school Academic Player of the Year. Nedeljkovic spent the majority if November and December with the Jets in the NA3HL. He made an immediate impact as he was named as the NA3HL Goaltender of the Month in November.

He was in goal for all four of the Jets wins in November as he posted a perfect 4-0 record along with a .942 save percentage and a 2.00 goals against average. During the month of November, he stopped 129 of a possible 137 shots on goal. He went on to play five more games in the NA3HL during December and January.

In total, he posted a 5-3-0 record with a 2.49 goals against average and a .933 save percentage.

Jets head coach Jason Cirone said that it is all part of the learning and growth process for the young Nedeljkovic.

“He was in our league to get some experience and he faced quite a few shots in the games he played,” said Cirone. “I think our team fed off his confidence while he was here and everyone played a little more inspired. I think he brought a certain level of exposure to the team. He has a very bright future ahead of him that hopefully one day, includes playing in the NHL.”

Former Jets' forward Monfils commits to ACHA D-I Niagara

WATERFORD, Mich. – Jeff Monfils only played with the Metro Jets for the first half of the 2012-13 North American 3 Hockey League season, but grabbed enough attention from college hockey scouts during that time and with the Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks that he’s off to play for Niagara University’s ACHA Division I team this fall.

Monfils, a 20-year forward from Washington, came to the Jets in a trade with Cleveland last August before going back to the Jr. Lumberjacks this past January in a deal for forward Brad Hepler.

With the Jets, Monfils tallied nine goals and 24 points in 27 games before adding another nine points in 16 games in Cleveland.

In committing to Niagara, located in the Buffalo, N.Y., suburb of Lewiston, Monfils is doing what both the Metro and Cleveland organizations stress to their players – play well enough and perform well in the classroom and opportunities will present themselves.

“My first season with Cleveland in 2011-12, NU had contacted me and I became very interested in the school and the hockey program,” said Monfils. “This past season was huge for me because I still was unsure of where I was going to be attending college. It was my No. 1 priority this past season to get a college opportunity."

Monfils said that his 27-game stint in his home state helped push his game to a new level and he has Metro coach Jason Cirone to thank.

“Jason did a lot for my development,” Monfils explained. “He taught me that every time I step on the ice, I'm working for a college scholarship. He said that every time you step on the ice there is $80,000 on the line, referring to how much college is for four years.”

Now that he’s off to Niagara to play for the Purple Eagles, Monfils has done his research to see what he’s getting into and could not be more excited.

”Niagara is a very great business school and its education, business, hospitality and science departments are among national leaders," said Monfils. "The hockey program is pretty big there, too (with an NCAA Division I program that was nationally-ranked last season). They have a multimillion-dollar ice rink that is located on campus which is nice and they have a rigorous off-ice program.

“I think the part of my game that is college-ready is my work ethic. I’ve had to work for everything – nothing was ever handed to me. I never quit. I’m not afraid to muck it up in the corners as well as rip a shot from anywhere on the ice. I like to shoot, as well as finding the open man. I love passing and making plays. I also feel that my play in the faceoff circle is college-ready with winning draws. The parts that need to be improved are my speed and I have to work on hitting the net. I tend to go high and hard a little too much. I am going to improve this by working on running and speed and agility, working hard on my legs and exploding from a standstill position. I have been working on hitting the net a lot more by just shooting down in my basement.”

And in advancing up the hockey ladder, Monfils shows a humble side with a long list of people to thank.

“I would thank first my dad and mom because without them, I wouldn't be where I’m at today,” said Monfils. “They taught me that nothing is handed to you in life and you have to work for what you want. Also, I would like to thank my high school coach, Dave Koons. I played under him for three years at Dakota High School and he really taught me a lot of things about the game. He was one of the best coaches I have had and he takes a huge part in getting me to where I am at today. I would also like to thank Jason as well as the Cleveland coaching staff, Bob Jacobson and Jason Dickey. They helped develop me at the junior level and what it takes to play day in and day out.”

At Niagara, Monfils’ outlook is simple.

“I expect nothing less than a national championship next year at Niagara,” said Monfils. “I believe we will have the talent to make the goal possible.”

Annual NA3HL draft yields 16 prospects for Jets

WATERFORD, Mich. - The Metro Jets participated in the North American 3 Hockey League draft Tuesday and selected 16 players with their selections.

The players chosen, all from Michigan, are as follows:

1st round, 8th overall - Jimmy Roznowski, D, Divine Child High School
1st round, 13th overall - Tyler Layle, D, East Kentwood High School
2nd round, 26th overall - Sebastian Stankiewicz, F, Detroit Country Day High School
2nd round, 33rd overall - John Garst, D, Cheboygan High School
2nd round, 36th overall - Ken Forton, D, Petoskey High School
3rd round, 38th overall - Zach Kopinski, F, Detroit Falcons AAA
3rd round, 44th overall - Alex Zultowski, F, Plymouth Salem High School
5th round, 75th overall - Kyle Downey, F, Plymouth Salem High School
5th round, 80th overall - Cameron Russell, D, Detroit Falcons AAA
6th round, 98th overall - Hunter Rajala, D, Houghton High School
7th round, 116th overall - Cody Jones, F, West Bloomfield High School
8th round, 134th overall - Evan Wilson, F, Milford High School
9th round, 152nd overall - Travis Baranoski, F, East Grand Rapids High School
10th round, 170th overall - Kyle Schnettler, D, Oxford High School
11th round, 188th overall - Nicklas Pleshakov, D, Hartland High School
12th round, 216th overall - Tyler Nabozny, F, Mattawan High School

Overall, the Jets selected eight forwards and eight defensemen.

Next up for the Jets' is the team's tryout camp scheduled for August 9-11 at Lakeland Arena. The 2013-14 NA3HL schedule will be released in the coming weeks.

The upcoming season marks the Jets' 25th as a junior hockey franchise.