Jets goalie Gwillim gets call to the NAHL

January 8, 2016

The Metro Jets continue to emerge as a developmental factory for higher levels of the game as this week, goaltender Jacob Gwillim will join the Brookings Blizzard of the North American Hockey League.

 

Gwillim, who played all of 2014-15 with the NAHL’s Johnstown Tomahawks and the start of this season in Johnstown before joining the Jets in December, is elated at getting another opportunity in the NAHL.

 

“I'm very thankful for Brookings for giving me this opportunity and my job coming in is to give the team the best possible chance to win every night,” said the 18-year-old native of Swartz Creek, Mich. “If I can do this and keep having fun, it should be a good ride. I'm very excited to be a part of their program. I think being a veteran player will help me out when I'm there. I've been in the league before and played my share of games, so I know what to expect and what I need to do every day.”

 

Originally drafted by the Jets in 2014 out of the Lansing Capitals AAA organization of the NAPHL, Gwillim went 2-0-0 with two shutouts in three appearances with the Jets. He also fashioned a .944 save percentage and a 1.60 goals-against average.

 

“My time with the Jets will be something I'll never forget,” added Gwillim. “I was able to come here, get quality coaching, practice and game time and really work on my game with coach (Randy) Wilson. He really made an impact in such a short amount of time. The team is one of the best group of guys I've been a part of and going to the rink every day, I knew I was going to have fun, which I think is the most important thing. If you aren't having fun it isn't worth it. Every coach here provided me the tools and advice I needed to further my game every day.

 

“The organization as a whole is first-class and one of, if not the best I've played for.”

 

Metro coach-GM Justin Quenneville said seeing Gwillim move to the NAHL is exactly what the Jets organization is all about.

 

“We have known Jake for a couple years dating back to the draft two summers ago when he was playing for Lansing,” said Quenneville. “He is a character kid who has the abilities to play at the highest of levels. At the end of the day, this was an opportunity for Jake and us when he reported. This call-up to the NAHL is just another example of why our league is the premier advancement level in the country. We are excited for him as much as he is for us moving forward.”

 

Gwillim joins forwards Mathias Tellstrom (Kenai River Brown Bears) and Carter Woolley (Aston Rebels) and defensemen Stefan Boskovic (Aston), David Chavis II (Aston) and Marc Schwartz (Aston) as call-ups to NAHL clubs this season.