Mauermann, Jacobson teammates on Jets
Podcast Episode
Photo
Janesville Jets Ross Mauermann, right, and David Jacobson are from Janesville as well as eight other players on the team from Wisconsin. They are, from left, center row, David Chapin, Tony Kujava, Brian Berger, back row, from left, Connor McBride, Russell Blaser, Joey Haydock, Derek Knetter, Ross Pavek, Truman Landowski and Jordan Tredinnick.
JANESVILLE — Teammates again.
Ross Mauermann and David Jacobson grew up playing hockey together.
The 2009 Janesville Parker High School graduates excelled as part of the Janesville Youth Hockey Program, and in 2008, they led the Janesville Bluebirds co-op high school team to the Big Eight Conference title.
Last season, Mauermann was the second-leading scorer for the Janesville Jets—a first-year expansion team in the NAHL.
Jacobson compiled a 21-15-3 record in goal last season for the Quad City FaFlames of the Central States Hockey League.
Mauermann is back for his second season with the Jets, who open the season Friday night at home against the Chicago Hitmen. Jacobson made the Jets’ final roster cut and is expected to start in goal.
“It seems like old times,” Jacobson said of seeing Mauermann on the ice as the Jets practiced Tuesday afternoon at the Janesville Ice Skating Center. “It feels right, and I’m really excited about the opportunity to play on the same team with him again.
“He was the first one to congratulate me when I made the team, and I can’t wait to get things started Friday night.”
Jacobson and Mauermann are in their final season of eligibility with the Jets and the NAHL.
Ideally, a Division I collegiate scholarship would be the next step for Jacobson and Mauermann, but the odds are against them. A shot at Division III hockey for a state school is the more likely scenario.
Rui Encarnacao, who signed with the University of Connecticut, was the only Jets player to earn a Division I scholarship last season.
“I’ve worked hard, and we’ll see what happens,” Mauermann said of a potential Division I scholarship offer. “The Showcase Tournament is a good opportunity to make an impression on college coaches, and that’s coming up.
“Last year was a great learning experience, and hopefully, I can put together a great season.”
Jacobson also knows a shot at Division I hockey is a long shot, but he hopes to make a statement with the Jets.
“It comes down to getting exposure and getting some looks,” Jacobson said. “I know I’m a better goalie than I was a year ago because of the experience I had at Quad Cities.’’
Mauermann was second behind Encarnacao in scoring a year ago with 13 goals and a team-high 28 assists. He played well during stretches, but admits that the 60-plus games that the Jets played took a toll.
Mental lapses and staying focused every night were Mauermann’s toughest hurdles last season.
Janesville coach Dane Litke said that if Mauermann can “bring it” every shift of every game, he can play at the Division I level. That’s what college scouts want to see.
“I’ve said it before, Ross has the tools to be a good Division I player,” Litke said. “This is his last shot if he wants to play Division I hockey, and he needs to take advantage of that.
“This year, we need Ross to be a leader, both on and off the ice. I’ve liked what I’ve seen so far from him, but Friday night it starts for real.”
Litke called Jacobson “a gamer,” who has impressed him with his athleticism. The coach believes Jacobson’s success with Quad Cities last season will carry over.
Success is nothing new to Jacobson and Mauermann. Now, they’ll get a chance to experience it together. Just like old times.
2010-11 JANESVILLE JETS SCHEDULE
Home games at Ice Skating Center
(Game site starting times)
Regular Season
Fri., Sept. 10—Chicago Hitmen, 7:30 p.m.
Sat., Sept. 11—At Chicago Hitmen (Rolling Meadows, Ill.), 8 p.m
NAHL Showcase
(At Blaine, Minn.)
Wed., Sept. 15—New Mexico Mustangs, 4:45 p.m.
Thur., Sept. 16—Alaska Avalanche, 1:15 p.m.
Fri., Sept. 17—Austin Bruins, 5 p.m.
Sat., Sept. 18—Topeka Road Runners, 12:30 p.m.
Exhibition
Tues., Sept. 21—At Green Bay Gamblers (USHL), 7:05 p.m.
Regular Season
Fri., Sept. 24—Coulee Region Chill, 7:30 p.m.
Sat., Sept. 24—Coulee Region Chill, 7 p.m.
Fri., Oct. 1—At Motor City Metal Jackets (Detroit), 7:30 p.m.
Sat., Oct. 2—At Motor City Metal Jackets, 7:30 p.m.
Thur., Oct. 7—At Springfield Junior Blues (Spring field, Ill.), 7 p.m.
Fri., Oct. 8—At Springfield Junior Blues, 7 p.m.
Sat., Oct. 9—At Springfield Junior Blues, 7 p.m.
Sat., Oct. 23—Traverse City North Stars, 7 p.m.
Sun., Oct. 24—Traverse City North Stars, 2 p.m.
Fri., Nov. 5—St. Louis Bandits, 7:30 p.m.
Sat., Nov. 6—St. Louis Bandits, 7 p.m.
Fri., Nov, 12—At Chicago Hitmen (Rolling Meadows, Ill.), 8 p.m.
Sat., Nov. 13—At Chicago Hitmen, 8 p.m.
Wed., Nov. 24—Coulee Region Chill, 7 p.m.
Fri., Nov. 26—At St. Louis Bandits (Chesterfield, Mo.), 7:05 p.m.
Sat., Nov. 27—At St. Louis Bandits, 7:05 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 28—At St. Louis Bandits, 2 p.m.
Fri., Dec. 10—St. Louis Bandits, 7:30 p.m.
Sat., Dec. 11—St. Louis Bandits, 7 p.m.
Sun., Dec. 12—Michigan Warriors, 2 p.m.
Fri., Dec. 17—At Chicago Hitmen (Rolling Meadows, Ill.), 8 p.m.
Sat., Dec. 18—Chicago Hitmen, 7 p.m.
Sun., Dec. 19—Coulee Region Chill, 2 p.m.
Fri., Dec. 31—At Coulee Region Chill (Onalaska), 7 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 1—At Coulee Region Chill, 7 p.m.
Thur., Jan. 6—Motor City Metal Jackets, 7 p.m.
Fri., Jan. 7—Motor City Metal Jackets, 7:30 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 8—Motor City Metal Jackets, 7 p.m.
Fri., Jan. 14—At Motor City Metal Jackets (Detroit), 7:30 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 15—At Motor City Metal Jackets, 7:30 p.m.
Fri., Jan. 21—Springfield Junior Blues, 7:30 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 22—Springfield Junior Blues, 7 p.m.
Fri., Jan. 28—Chicago Hitmen, 7:30 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 29—Chicago Hitmen, 7 p.m.
Thur., Feb. 10—At Traverse City (Mich.) North Stars), 7:05 p.m.
Fri., Feb. 11—At Traverse City North Stars, 7:05 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 12—At Traverse City North Stars, 1:05 p.m.
Thur., Feb. 17—Michigan Warriors, 7 p.m.
Fri., Feb. 18—Michigan Warriors, 7:30 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 19—Michigan Warriors, 7 p.m.
Fri., Feb. 25—Springfield Junior Blues, 7:30 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 26—Springfield Junior Blues, 7 p.m.
Fri., March 3—Port Huron Fighting Falcons, 7:30 p.m.
Sat., March 4—Port Huron Fight Falcons,, 7 p.m.
Fri., March 11—At Port Huron (Mich.), Fighting Falcons, 7:11 p.m.
Sat., March 12—At Port Huron Fighting Falcons, 7:11 p.m.
Fri., March 18—At Coulee Region Chill (Onalaska), 7 p.m.
Sat., March 19—At Coulee Region Chill, 7 p.m.
Fri., March 25—At Michigan Warriors (Flint, Mich.), 7 p.m.
Sat., March 26—At Michigan Warriors, 7 p.m.
Sun., March 27—At Michigan Warriors, 7 p.m.
Jets at a glance
President: Bill McCoshen.
General manager: John McCally.
Head coach/GM of hockey operations: Dane Litke.
Assistant coach: Tim Branham.
Home ice: Janesville Ice Skating Center.
League: North American Hockey League.
North Division: Janesville Jets, Chicago Hitmen, Michigan Warriors, Motor City Metal Jackets, Port Huron Fighting Falcons, Springfield Junior Blues, St. Louis Bandits, Traverse City North Stars.
League realignment: The North Division has expanded from five to eight teams. Chicago and Port Huron are new franchises. Springfield and St. Louis have moved from South Division. Marquette, Mich., which won the North Division regular-season championship last year, has moved to Flint, Mich., and become the Michigan Warriors. Alpena, Mich., has moved to Corpus Christi, Texas, and is in the South Division.
Last year: As a first-year franchise, the Jets placed third behind Marquette and Traverse City in the North Division with a 29-23-6 regular-season record. The Jets lost to Traverse City in three games in the first round of the NAHL playoffs.
This year’s oldest Jets player: Derek Jacobson, forward from Sioux City, Iowa, born May 20, 1990.
Youngest player: Jacob Horton, forward from Oakdale, Minn., born Nov. 19, 1994.
States represented: Wisconsin (12), Minnesota (3), Colorado (2), Iowa (2), Maryland (1), Michigan (1), Missouri (1), Nebraska (1), New York (1), Pennsylvania (1).
Janesville players: Ross Mauermann, David Jacobson. Both are former members of the Janesville Bluebirds high school co-op team. Mauermann is in his second season with the Jets.
Previous NAHL experience (8 players): Dylan Niehoff, defenseman; Ross Mauermann, forward; Derek Jacobson, forward; Brian Berger, forward; Alex Brooks, defenseman; Larkin Jacobson, forward; David Chapin, guard; Beau Burgau, defenseman. All played with the Jets last season.
Sep 22, 2010 at 5:35 p.m.
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Congrats to Ross & David on making the team. They are two great local representatives that have earned their spot of the Jets team. Good luck to the Jets this year.
Sep 22, 2010 at 4:49 p.m.
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paytomuchtax......your full of you know what
Sep 10, 2010 at 5:02 p.m.
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rauol_duke,
Enjoy the shower. Just some inside information there were internal talks about having more local players on the team to help public opinion on the ice arena that from a friend who has a huge investment in the team.
Sep 10, 2010 at 4:58 p.m.
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Hey Spark,
I do wish the Jets well I want them do good. I just don't want to pay with my tax dollars for this. I have been to more than a dozen game of the Jets and yes they are fun as hell. I will go to more but that is my choice to go and my money helps them out. I don't think my tax dollars should, we pay enough as it is. If we are going to spend more on taxes then I want it for the services the city needs not for this. Before you go off bashing all of the people who don't want tax dollars to pay for this just remember we might be some of the people who do go to the games when they can but just don't want to be forced to pay for it with taxes. By the way I also have a sponsorship sign up at the ice arena for the Jets again my chooseing not forced tax dollars.
Sep 10, 2010 at 2:29 p.m.
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Two points: First, I'm glad the local boys have been successful and it's nice that they can play in front of the hometown fans.
Second, if it's a fact that the Jets and the other ice rink activities are so profitable then why do they need taxpayer funding. The logical and true answer is they're not profitable. The other very plausible answer is maybe they could be profitable but the so called private investors do not want to take all the risk and are pushing a special interest project down the throats of the public with the help of city management. Private investors and Public funding has nothing but conflict of interest written all over it. If the investors are smart they'll take the existing rink lock stock and barrel and be happy to have a place that is 100% owned and has no debt. Take the profits and improve your property and patron interest so that someday you'll be able to expand and then sell the land. Simple and leaves the taxpayer off the hook for a project that doesn't get the support of the majority of Janesville. Don’t be surprised if the tide will turn against the private investors and you don’t even get the existing property. It would be very interesting to see what an outside investigation could uncover regarding the conflict of interest going on with city government and the ice rink. The taxpayer money that was spent on the parks or sports complex comparison is not apple to apple. I can go down to the park or ball diamonds just about anytime I want and use them for nothing. Anyone could start a pickup game of football, baseball, softball, soccer, Frisbee, chip some golf balls, etc, just about any time of the day. Can I just walk onto the ice and skate for free. The answer is no. Put it to a vote by people and if the people say yes then end of story.
Sep 10, 2010 at 2:28 p.m.
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frog88 I couldn't agree more! I can't believe the negativity! GEEZ! Can't wait to go to the game tonight!
Sep 10, 2010 at 1:04 p.m.
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you all are just terrible.... be happy for all these kids doing something they are good at and enjoy. Not to mention 2 very talented kids of which most of the janesville community knows from the following of the Bluebirds.
The Jets are here the rink is full let the kids play and everyone else stop complaining!!!
Sep 10, 2010 at 10:31 a.m.
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And paytomuchtax, crawl back under your rock! The idea that coaches are going to keep players that are not necessarily the best, but because of some dark thought-out conspiratorial plan to affect the local politics of podunk land Janesville has to be the product of a diseased, not to mention ignorant, poor excuse for a mind. Ick. Just thinking about this paranoid recluse spinning his fantasies makes me want to wash.
Sep 10, 2010 at 10:27 a.m.
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Go JETS!!
Sep 10, 2010 at 9:54 a.m.
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Not to mention, the Jets are something that can give this city a sense of pride and identity instead of "the town that used to have the GM Plant."
Sep 10, 2010 at 9:53 a.m.
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bobwood - and I don't feel the same as them. Beautiful thing, isn't it? Have you been to a game? I have been to many and yes the attendance figures are accurate. As far as apparently milking the public. A) this is a great story about a team and local players, not a new rink. B) we've gone over this a million times. There are many other public facilities that "milk" the public that not everyone uses. It's not all about what just some you want either. Little hypocritical, don't ya think?
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Regardless, I wish the Jets the best of luck.
Sep 10, 2010 at 9:51 a.m.
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For those of you that think the Jets are a big leach to the city consider this. Each of these players families pays their host family $300/month for expeditures. Over 6 months and 23 out of towners that's over $40k of out town money brought directly to Janesville to be used at our businesses. When teams visit they use our hotels and restaurants, the Jets pay taxes on revenue from ticket sales, concessions, and apparel sales. Each of these players pay a fee to try out, again revenue that is taxed. All positive income for the city.
Sep 10, 2010 at 8:15 a.m.
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Note to the uneducated. Which there's many that post on the subject and many in Janesville. The average attendance for games has been anywhere from 600-1000 people.
Wahoo - Why don't you do everyone else a favor and you yourself move to one of those other cities. Jacobson did play for another city and was fortunate enough to now make his hometown team.
Now, isn't it time for some of you to set your alarm so you can go find another story to ruin with your negative comments? Or are you going to actually get up and try and have a positive day?
Sep 10, 2010 at 7:36 a.m.
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Like everything new, of course there are quite a few people there. Its been all hyped up ,and the community is curious to see what all the buzz is about.The novelty of this will wear off in time. Don`t buy that ...then wait for the inevitable losing streak to see where your REAL fans are at. People forget quickly.
Sep 10, 2010 at 6:15 a.m.
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Sigma40: 20-30 people? Then why is the ice rink usually packed for the games? Janesville you b**** about everything!
Sep 10, 2010 at 6:11 a.m.
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Ya good luck, but theres only like 20-30 people in the whole city with any interest in this.
Sep 9, 2010 at 10:21 p.m.
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Then let them play in one of those cities. The cost of building a new rink proves my point. This team won't be around in a couple of years.
Sep 9, 2010 at 9:46 p.m.
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Great job Parker alum. Wish I could be there to see some games.
Sep 9, 2010 at 9:45 p.m.
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paytomuchtax: Have you ever thought that these two young men are extremely talented? They could make the team in any of the other NAHL cities! There stats. prove my point!
Sep 9, 2010 at 9:05 p.m.
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Reality is not bashing.
Sep 9, 2010 at 8:49 p.m.
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And let the garbage begin in my yard...
Sep 9, 2010 at 4:14 p.m.
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paytomuchtax - Seriously. Spare everyone with your good luck comment to cover up the bashing that followed. It's so predictable when people are going to chime in with negative comments it's sickening.
Sep 9, 2010 at 4:05 p.m.
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Good Luck I have no ill will against the Jets team. But Management and Booster's Don't think we don't see what you are trying to do adding one more Janesville kid is not going to get us to back the second sheet of ice. NO to a new ice arena refurbish what we have and that is it. I pay way to much tax now.
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