New Arena Highlights Janesville Jets’ Strong Community Support
The Janesville Jets have built a strong local following that many junior hockey teams aspire for.
A Wisconsin city of 66,929, Janesville has fully embraced the Jets for years. That interest resulted in the construction of the 1,500-seat Mercyhealth Arena, which opened last season.
“We’re in our 18th year as a program, and it’s honestly [because], we’ve had some really good local support from sponsors,” Jets head coach Lennie Childs said. “Our owner, Bill McCoshen, founder, president, he’s done a really good job of being a homegrown Wisconsin person and wanting to really lift up and elevate Wisconsin hockey players.”
During the past two decades, McCoshen has woven the Jets into Janesville, which has included player involvement in the community and growing fan support. The Jets have enjoyed successful Wisconsin natives coming through the program in addition to prospects from beyond the state.
“We’ve had a lot of really good players that have come through, some really good people that have been NHL draft picks, top Division I hockey players, and they’ve also been really good people,” said Childs, who played for the Jets for two seasons from 2010–12. “So everyone wants to be a part of it. And when you get good people that are good hockey players and they’re able to give to the community, the community is going to give back. And that’s kind of what we’ve seen over the last 18 years.”
Current Jets players visit schools and participate in local events. Jets defenseman Jonathan Lyskawa said it makes a difference being part of a team that’s ingrained in the community.
“We have a burden on our shoulders because we’re playing in Janesville — [we’re] one of the only teams that [fans] come to watch,” Lyskawa said. “So it’s important that we put on a show every night and we give these fans a reason to come back. It’s an incredible experience just to be able to put the jersey on every night and have that opportunity to do that.”
The Jets’ previous arena squeezed in only hundreds of fans. The new venue has already made an impact for growth of the fan base.
Jets forward Hans Hedlund played in the old arena and has appreciated the upgrade.
“It was small, so it was still fun, but it’s a way better to be in the new rink,” Hedlund said.
It’s a contrast from what the Jets experience on the road, where there aren’t always 1,500 fans turning out. Lyskawa said the team has to find more internal motivation on the road because of it.
“It’s important to bring the energy every night because, not playing in front of that many fans is — it’s a little quieter and you have to bring your own energy on the bench,” Lyskawa said.
When at home, the Jets get the boost of the fans and feel the home ice advantage.
“Scoring goals, you hear that crowd pop. It’s incredible,” Lyskawa said. “So to be able to play in front of that many fans and how good of fans we have, it’s such a good experience.”
The Jets moved into the building just before the 2025-2026 season, so Childs said that it still feels extra new due to the last-minute transition. Janesville hosted only one practice at the new rink before the home opener last year.
“We never practiced on the game sheet until the morning of our morning skate and ever since then it’s been sort of like the hoopla of a brand-new thing every weekend,” Childs said. “So really this year is the first time we get a chance to kind of relax and breathe knowing it’s a new arena, but it’s kind of been there now for a year.”
Story from Red Line Editorial, Inc.
