By Matt Mackinder
Clarkston News Editor

Ryan Lemker emerged as a standout hockey player during the 2022-23 season with Clarkston High School.
He’ll get another opportunity to continue his development during the upcoming 2023-24 season after recently signing to play junior hockey with the powerhouse Metro Jets, a four-time national champion based in Mount Clemens that last went to the United States Premier Hockey League title game in 2022.
“I always wanted to play junior hockey and knowing how many teams and opportunities there are, I wanted to find the one that fit best for me,” Lemker said. “And when (Jets assistant coach) Randy (Wilson) reached out to me and broke it all down and I went to a couple games and got a little inside look and seeing how much success they have with their players, I knew it would be a great fit for me.”
According to Jets head coach and general manager Justin Quenneville, Lemker figures to be a key addition next season.
“We are excited about signing Ryan,” Quenneville said. “He was someone we discussed opportunities with early in the process. He is committed to coming in here and work on his game. He had success in high school and is invested in taking his game to another level. We look forward to getting him and others on the ice soon.”
Last season with the Wolves, Lemker posted three goals and seven points in 24 games from the Clarkston blue line. He also went scoreless in one playoff game.
“This past season had to have been one of my favorites,” said Lemker, a 2023 Clarkston graduate. “As a team, we had a lot of on-ice success, which was great, but a big thing was our off-ice success and building a family. That atmosphere and being a senior, that meant a lot to me playing that big brother role.”
Playing for the Wolves, his only season playing for CHS, Lemker said his determination, hard work, and attitude was a big plus for him in getting noticed by junior hockey teams, as well as how all of that impacted the team.
Growing up, Lemker got hooked on the game at an early age.
“I started playing hockey after an open skate at John Lindell Arena in Royal Oak (where Lemker and his family lived until he was 10 years old), and I fell in love with the sport,” said Lemker, who turned 18 in March. “I wanted to play for Clarkston most of my high school career, but I never knew how to start since the program wasn’t big, so I transferred to (Flint) Powers (Catholic) and even though we had a great season (in 2020-21), I knew it wasn’t where I belonged and wasn’t the best fit for me. I then transferred back to Clarkston and played for Honeybaked (16U AAA in 2021-22) and then once my senior season came along, I knew I had to find myself on the Wolves roster as soon as I could.”
Lemker, who played baseball and lacrosse during his youth, said he has loved his time in Clarkston with his parents Missy and Jon and sister Nicole, a senior soccer player at CHS.
“I love how relaxing and calm it is here and I get the ‘everyone knows everyone’ vibe here,” said Lemker, who went to Springfield Plains Elementary for a year, as well as Sashabaw Middle School and Clarkston Junior High. “I have made so many great relationships around Clarkston and have been given so many opportunities here. I was your average student in high school, but I tried my best and participated in lots of things and tried things I never thought I would do, such as taking yearbook and being in an AP class. I tried my best, but let’s just say I’m not the best test taker.”
Looking ahead, Lemker has plans in mind, both on and off the ice.
“I’m still debating on what I want to do with hockey as far as after juniors, but I know I want to be a police officer and eventually work my way up into SWAT,” Lemker said. “I’m going to do online school at OCC while with the Metro Jets, and we will see what happens after.”

PHOTO: Ryan Lemker was a key player for the Wolves during the 2022-23 season. Photo: Wendi Reardon Price