Elliott starting to come around for Metro

When the Metro Jets drafted Jon Elliott last May, the team had hopes for Elliott bringing his high school goal-scoring prowess with him to the Central States Hockey League.

And while the 18-year-old from Bloomfield Hills has just three goals through 14 games, Elliott has started to turn the corner recently.

“When we first picked him up, we could see the potential was there,” Metro assistant coach Ryan Skop said. “In high school (at Brother Rice), he was one of the most talented guys on a nightly basis and could basically do whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted. Now that he’s made a big step up, it’s taken him some time to adapt to the competition.”

“Jon is starting to show in practice and in games his ability to score goals at this level,” said Jets GM Butch Wolfe. “We’re definitely excited by the progress he’s made so far and look forward to seeing how much more he can keep improving.”

In order to kick-start Elliott, the Jets’ coaching staff put him on a line with fellow winger Jon Wickersham and center David Merkle (Brett Grech now centers the line with Elliott and Wickersham).

“He and Wick make for a difficult matchup with their size (Elliott is 6-foot-1, 190 pounds, and Wickersham is 6-foot-1 and 185 pounds) and speed,” noted Skop. “We’ve also been using Jono on the power play. He’s got great vision on the ice and is able to help settle things down and wait for that good chance.”

Hopefully, sooner than later, Elliott’s three-goal total can grow to double digits. If recent practice is any indication, that will happen soon.

“I’m a bit surprised he hasn’t scored more so far, but lately in practice, Jono’s started to get some of that swagger back where he knows he’s going to score and expects to score,” Skop said. “I’m sure that will translate into games here very shortly.”

LOOKING BACK, LOOKING AHEAD

The Jets played just one game last week and it was one they’d like to forget as the Queen City Steam came into Lakeland Arena last Saturday night and blanked Metro, 6-0.

Ian Mercer stopped 25 shots in goal for the Jets, who saw their two-game winning streak snapped.

This weekend, the Jets play two in-state rivals as they travel to Motor City tonight for a 9:20 p.m. start time and then host Grand Rapids tomorrow night at 7:40 p.m.

Last time out against Motor City, the Jets took a 4-1 win at home on Oct. 25, while Grand Rapids beat Metro, 3-2, on Oct. 14.

JET FUEL

After tomorrow night’s game against Grand Rapids, the Jets play just three more games at home in the 2009 calendar year – Nov. 29 vs. Motor City and Dec. 12-13 vs. Cleveland.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

Forwards Troy Storm (2006-2007) and Brandon Van Acker (2004-2005) are playing for Finlandia University’s Division III team in the Upper Peninsula.

Storm is a freshman from Livonia, while Van Acker is a senior from Lincoln Park.

Finlandia plays in the Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association along with Michigan’s other D-III school, Adrian College.

Former Metro defenseman Steven Oleksy (2003-2004) signed with the IHL’s Port Huron Icehawks this week after being released by the ECHL’s Toledo Walleye.

Photo by Walt Dmoch