Soo Indians Alumni Brenden MacLaren commits to play at Ferris State University
Saturday, February 17, 2018 at 12:12PM 
The Janesville Jets, proud members of the North American Hockey League, are pleased to announce that forward Brenden MacLaren has committed to play NCAA Division I hockey for the Ferris State Bulldogs of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA).
“This is a dream come true,” said MacLaren. “This means everything to me. It’s great to feel this all pay off. I want to thank my teammates, my linemates, all my coaches, and my family for everything they’ve done for me along the way. This is really exciting.”
MacLaren’s commitment is the second in a week for the Jets. Carter Ekberg committed to Air Force last Wednesday night.
As a rookie with the Jets last season, MacLaren suited up for 29 games, often on the fourth line, and played in an energy role. Like so many Jets players before him, he trusted the process, grew and developed, and now boasts a Division I deal, said Shuchuk.
“We’re very happy for Carter and Brenden, and proud of them for believing in the process,” said head coach Gary Shuchuk. “It shows our younger players that it’s a marathon, not a sprint. If you take care of your school and grades off the ice, and let your play dictate on the ice, then things will work out.”
MacLaren attempts a shot in a 3-1 win over Coulee Region.
MacLaren’s path to the Jets started with his hometown Soo Indians, where he played three seasons of U18 AAA hockey. In 173 games with the Indians, the Upper Peninsula native totaled 70 goals and 141 points. After grinding through a learning year as a rookie, MacLaren has shown significant growth this season, scoring nearly four times as often in his second year of junior hockey. The center’s 10 goals and 19 points are third and fifth on the Jets respectively, despite missing more than a third of the season with multiple injuries. Though he’s spent more time with Jets athletic trainer Kathy Calkins than he probably would have liked, MacLaren’s injury battles were just another example of his top-tier work ethic.
“The hip [pointer] was only a week, but the torn MCL was two months,” MacLaren said. “That was hard, but it just meant a little more work and a little more patience going through therapy and working off ice to battle back.”