Western High School senior Aiden Chappell scored 24 points for Jackson United a year ago.
By Jeff Steers
JTV Sports
(December 3, 2023 7:30 AM ET) Jackson United is a hockey program that includes players from six Jackson County Schools.
The proportion is a little lopsided for JU.
Ten of the 18 players are from Western High School – which isn’t unusual for the squad.
“Western has progressively sent us more players,” JU Coach Matt Grimes said. “It changes throughout the years.
“Everything is just hockey – not school names – when we hit the ice.”
Jackson United finished 11-12-3 overall a year ago with a win in the regional round. JU finished second in the Southeastern Conference with a 4-2 record. Both of the losses were to Chelsea.
“We had some good games against Chelsea,” Grimes said. “Last year we lost eight games by one goal.”
Senior forward Aiden Chappell is the player with the highest scoring total from last year with 14 goals and 10 assists for 24 points.
“We had high hopes heading into last year,” Chappell said. “We need a new, winning culture in the locker room.”
Other seniors for Jackson United included forward Eric Bonser from Western, defenseman Maddox Grimes from Northwest, defensive player Riley Rogers from Western, WHS forward Trevor Huttenlocker, and defenseman Jack Whyte from Western.
Whyte finished with six goals and six assists and Grimes added three goals and five assists for JU a year ago.
Juniors included Wyatt Boteler (three goals and three assists) from Grass Lake, Luke Bergkoetter is a defenseman from Western, Malakai Gallant is a defenseman from Michigan Center, Cameron Ronquillo is a forward from Western, and Nick Baumgardner is a forward from Western who tallied 19 points a year ago.
Sophomore Brennan Forward of Michigan Center scored 10 goals for JU a year ago.
JU graduated two senior goalies to graduation but should be good for a couple of years with sophomore goalies Jonah Hughes from MCHS, Gavin Thomas from Western, and Jacob Burbank also of Western.
Jackson United participated in a once-a-week summer team league where they finished 7-2.
“It is a long season as we start in June and play until March,” Coach Grimes said. “You have to work year round to get an edge.”
Jackson United is off to a 1-3 start with a win at the Thanksgiving Showcase earlier in November.
Here is the full schedule for the squad.
Jackson United Hockey 2023-2024
Nov. 18 Portage United at Jackson United
Nov. 25 Mattawan at Jackson United
Nov. 26 Troy vs. Jackson United (Adrian College)
Nov. 29 Eastside at Jackson United
Dec. 1 Jackson United at Gladwin
Dec. 2 Jackson United at Cadillac
Dec. 9 Lenawee United at Jackson United (Optimist) 4 p.m.
Dec. 15 Bay City Tournament TBD
Dec. 16 Bay City Tournament TBD
Dec. 20 Chelsea at Jackson United (Optimist) 5:30 p.m.
Jan. 6 Kalamazoo Eagles at Jackson United (Optimist) 4 p.m.
Jan. 10 Jackson United at A.A. Pioneer (Cube) 5 p.m.
Jan. 13 A.A. Huron at Jackson United (Optimist) 4 p.m.
Jan. 16 Jackson United at A.A. Skyline (Arctic) 5:30 p.m.
Jan 19 Lumen Christi at Jackson United (Optimist) 5:30 p.m.
Jan. 20 Jackson United at Temperance Bedford 6 p.m.
Jan. 25 Jackson at Chelsea Showcase (Arctic) TBD
Jan. 26 Jackson at Chelsea Showcase (Arctic) TBD
Jan. 27 Jackson at Chelsea Showcase (Arctic) TBD
Jan. 31 Dexter at Jackson United (Optimist) 5:30 p.m.
Feb. 3 Jackson United at Eastside (Suburban) 7 p.m.
Feb. 6 Jackson United at Chelsea (Arctic) 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 9 Jackson at Lumen Christi (Optimist) 5:30 p.m.
Feb. 10 Jackson United at Dexter (Vets) 7 p.m.
Feb. 13 Jackson United at Lenawee United (Adrian) 6 p.m.
