Jets To Add U16 Team for 2017-18

Shawnee, Kansas  --  For Immediate Release

In a move to expand and meet the demand for the competitive high school hockey experience the KCYHA and Kansas City Jets have committed to field a Midget U16 Team for the upcoming 2017-18 season.  The Team, open to 2001 & 2002 birth year players, will be part of Jets Organization working with and complimenting the Midwest High School Hockey League Varsity and Jr. Varsity teams.

The U16 Jets will be coached by Mike Kempkes, and compete in the St. Louis based MoHockey League, with an additional competitive focus on scheduling games with high end U16 programs throughout the Midwest and attending 3-4 national tournaments.  Coach Kempkes is seeking “serious dedicated players, both on and off the ice, committed to improving their game.”     

“When one looks at the number of younger players coming up the pipeline, the current influx of skilled high school age players, coupled with future facilities expansion in the greater Kansas City area, we believe now is the time to address the current and future needs of competitive level high school hockey” stated Mike Curry, Jets Chairman and Program Director.  Curry added, “Inclusion of the U16 Team under the Jet’s umbrella is a positive initial step in achieving our ultimate goal of restoring two Varsity level travel programs in Kansas City.”     

The Jets, and predecessor Kansas City Stars High School, are entering their 11th season; capturing three Midwest Titles under the direction of Varsity Head Coach Gary Emmons over that period, the most recent in 2016.  Emmons believes the U16 move “freshens up” the Program, and looks forward to working closely with Kempkes, adding “we are viewing Jets U16 as being a viable and equal path to Jets Varsity.”  

The Jets will continue to field Varsity and Jr. Varsity Teams in the Midwest League.  In a related announcement the Jets have named Conner Bowman as the head coach of the Jr. Varsity squad.

The Jets Administration and Staff will be holding an informational town hall type meeting at Kansas City Ice Center on Thursday July 13th, 7:00 p.m. regarding Jets Varsity, J.V. and U16.  All high school age travel players and parents are invited.  Open discussion, input, comments and ideas will be welcomed. 

Please forward any questions or comments to Mike Kempkes, mikekempkes@me.com, ph. 402-672-8802; Mike Curry, mcurry@usdg.com, ph. 816-309-6703; or Gary Scibona, Jets GM, jetshockey@kcjets.com, ph. 816-982-4402