Novack exemplifies role as Jets captain

Adam Novack came into this season with the Metro Jets as one of just a handful of players back from last year’s team.

The Jets coaching staff named him captain prior to the season opener and Novack has displayed leadership qualities above and beyond what was expected of him.

“At the beginning of the year, maybe three or four weeks in, ‘Novy’ broke his foot in practice, but didn’t miss a single game or practice,” Metro assistant coach Ryan Skop said. “He’d walk into the rink with his walking cast on, take it off, jam his skate on and go out and score a couple goals. I think he answered any and all questions right there and has just continued to lead by example.”

Last Saturday night yielded a 10-0 loss to Dubuque, but as the Jets players walked off the ice and to the locker room, a young fan approached Novack with a puck and a pen asking for an autograph. Novack didn’t flinch in stopping to make the boy’s night.

On the ice, Novack, a 19-year-old Rochester Hills native, broke the 40-point mark in Sunday’s overtime loss in Flint and is shooting for the 50-point barrier with six games left on the schedule. He recorded just 19 points last year.

“Adam’s probably our most gifted offensive player,” said Skop. “He’s got great hands, good vision and skates really well. He spends so much time on the penalty kill and in defensive situations and if he didn’t have to do that, he’d definitely put up some gaudy numbers. He plays every situation for us and does a bang-up job. As captain, he reminds me of Brett Fox, who captained our national championship team in 2002. Brett wasn’t a ‘rah-rah’ guy. He just shut up, worked his butt off and expects you to follow. He’d do anything to win – just like Novy.”

Next season, Novack is looking to play college hockey and while that will be a major move, Skop concluded, “you just can’t replace an Adam Novack.”

LOOKING BACK, LOOKING AHEAD

The Jets finished out their home schedule last Saturday night with the 10-0 loss to Dubuque and then dropped a 5-4 overtime heartbreaker in Flint Sunday afternoon.

Colin Greeley (Howell) and Andrew Corcoran combined for 42 saves in the Dubuque game.

Sunday, the Jets scored two shorthanded goals in the third period to tie the game, but Flint won it 12 seconds into overtime.

Novack, who also had two assists, and Justin Vinson (Livonia) scored the third-period shorties, but Rick Turner's third goal of the game (and fourth point) won it for Flint, who also wins the season series with the Jets, 4-1-0.

The Jets lead the CSHL in shorthanded goals with 14.

Ryan Eby (Linden) added a power-play goal and an assist for Metro (6-31-1-1) and David Williams (Bloomfield Hills) also tallied with the man-advantage.

Kevin Kinnie (Shelby Township) made 42 saves in a losing effort and Brett Grech (Hartland) registered a pair of assists.

Metro plays two at Queen City this weekend, starting Saturday night and finishing up Sunday afternoon. Queen City is 2-0 against the Jets this season, outscoring Metro, 12-4, in the pair at Lakeland Arena.

JET FUEL

Metro will have an added road trip next year as the CSHL announced Monday the addition of the Pittsburgh Jr. Penguins for the 2009-2010 season. The 13-team league will also expand to a 48-game schedule.

Former Jets forward Nick Kenney (2006-2007) was named the NAHL’s North Division Player of the Week for the second time this season after he posted four goals in division-leading Mahoning Valley’s two wins and a tie against Traverse City.

Forward Patrick Gallagher (Plymouth) was released Tuesday.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

Scott Hughes, a Lathrup Village native, tended goal for the Jets during their first season of 1989-1990 and is now a goalie equipment representative for Vaughn.

Photo by Walt Dmoch