Jet Greaves has firmly established himself as a promising young goaltender in the NHL, playing for the Columbus Blue Jackets. His NHL journey began well before the professional spotlight, inspired by his father, Gerry Greaves, who remarkably started playing goalie at age 35. Growing up in Cambridge, Ontario, Jet’s path to the crease was shaped by his family’s dedication and a passion for hockey that runs deep, making his rise in the league both unique and hard-earned.
Celebrated during Black History Month, Jet is one of nine Black players who have worn the Blue Jackets’ jersey over 25 years, joining names like Fred Brathwaite, Anson Carter, and Anthony Duclair. His story—marked by perseverance and steady progress—reflects both personal ambition and a broader legacy in hockey.
Gerry Greaves’ Late Start and Lasting Influence
Gerry Greaves, Jet’s father, is a firefighter by profession but has always nurtured many interests, including writing, photography, and Formula 1 racing. Hockey, however, became a defining focus when he took up the goaltender position later in life. Although he grew up in Markham, a Toronto suburb, Gerry never advanced beyond house league hockey due to the high costs of goaltending equipment and other commitments.
It was not until his mid-30s that Gerry’s opportunity arrived, invited by coworkers to join a league needing a netminder. This league featured former NHL players such as Scott Walker, PK Subban, and Bryan Little, exposing Gerry to a competitive environment demanding rapid improvement. Reflecting on those early days, Gerry noted,
“The funny thing was obviously NHL guys compared to brand-new me, I was getting lit up, but I just said, if they’re asking me to keep coming out, I’m going to make it my point to try to get better. And all that stuff that I learned watching videos and everything, I used all that that was on the internet to help teach Jet to start off at first.”
?Gerry Greaves, Father and Firefighter
His commitment to learning and sharing knowledge became foundational in his son’s development as a goalie. Jet and his younger brother Kai grew up skating alongside their father, who even constructed a backyard rink for the family to practice during winter months. This environment fostered a deep connection to hockey and a love for the goalie position in particular.
The Early Goaltending Dream Takes Shape
Despite Gerry’s hopes for Jet to delay specializing in goaltending until age 10, Jet’s passion couldn’t be contained. Influenced by elite netminders like Carey Price, Jet wanted to wear the pads early.
“He wanted me to be a player for like three more years and learn how to skate and learn the whole game that way, and then become a goalie,”
Jet recalled.
“I was kind of like, ‘Come on, come on, let me play.’”
?Jet Greaves, Columbus Blue Jackets Goaltender
Jet’s determination won out at age 7, thanks in part to a teammate’s position change just before tryouts.
“He was a goalie, and he kind of didn’t want to play goalie anymore, he wanted to be a defenseman. I was a defenseman and I wanted to play goalie, so right before the tryout, basically, he became a defenseman, I became a goalie. There were no other goalies at the tryouts. I was the only goalie, so I don’t know if I was very good, but there was nobody else there. I was fortunate to get on the team that way and learn from there.”
?Jet Greaves
This early opportunity was the first step on a journey that has seen Jet flourish. Now 24 and in his fourth NHL season, he leads Columbus with 39 starts, holding a 20-12-8 record, a 2.69 goals-against average (GAA), and a .907 save percentage this season. Across 62 career NHL games, he maintains a 2.67 GAA and .914 save percentage, solidifying his place among the league’s rising stars and as one of just 12 Black goalies ever to play in the NHL, and the third within the Blue Jackets franchise.
Backyard Rinks and Family Bonds Fueling Growth
The Greaves household in Cambridge was much more than just a home; it was a training ground for two ambitious brothers. In addition to hockey, Jet and Kai shared a passion for baseball, seamlessly transitioning between sports depending on the season. To support Jet’s goaltending skills, the family adapted by using softer practice balls indoors to simulate shots and improve reflexes.
Jet would often recruit family members—his father, brother, or mother Brenda—to toss tennis balls at him in the basement, honing his hand-eye coordination and quicker saves.
“Kai would, my mom would, all of them,”
Jet said.
“I would have them in the basement throwing tennis balls and stuff and trying to make the saves, and I’d get on them if they weren’t throwing it good enough.”
?Jet Greaves
During winter months, Gerry’s backyard rink became a hub for daily practice, with Jet even requesting permission to return home during school breaks to skate. Gerry recalled,
“He’d even come home at lunchtime to skate on the rink. One day, he was looking at a video of Jonathan Quick and how good his edges were, and he said, ‘Hey, is it OK if I come home at recess or lunchtime and skate?’ I said, ‘Absolutely.’ So that’s what he would do while his buddies were eating, he would come home and skate on the rink at lunchtime.”
?Gerry Greaves
These early routines built strong family connections and friendly rivalry. With Jet as a goalie and Kai a defenseman—now playing at Princeton University—the brothers faced off countless times, sharpening their skills through competition.
“That helped teach them about competition,”
Gerry said.
“Like good, friendly, strong competition, too, because Jet didn’t want to let Kai score and Kai didn’t want to let Jet get the best of him. It helped both of them, absolutely.”
?Gerry Greaves
Instilling Discipline and Mental Strength
The dedication that Jet Greaves exhibits today stems from a household where discipline and a love of learning were emphasized. Jet is not only an avid reader and chess player but also keenly aware of the mental demands of his sport. Early on, Gerry instructed him to maintain composure on the ice, teaching that scouts should never read the game’s score by watching the goalie’s emotions.
Jet’s mother Brenda reinforced a focused mindset during rides home from games, consistently reminding him to concentrate solely on the puck and ignore distractions. To further aid development, Gerry installed a GoPro camera behind the goal at games to record footage Jet could review to improve his play.
Gerry’s demanding profession as a firefighter also influenced his approach to goaltending and parenting. With life-or-death situations being part of his daily work, Gerry emphasized preparation and thoroughness in every task. He famously has a tattoo bearing the phrase “No shortcuts” as a symbol of this philosophy.
Jet summarized this influence, saying,
“I think being a firefighter, it’s obviously serious stuff. It’s life or death, whether it’s the firefighters that are going in the fire or whatever the call is, or the people that are in there. It’s dangerous situations and scary situations. I think from that, just the way he goes about things and the detail that he carries from that, he can’t mess around. You have to make sure everything is done the right way. There’s no shortcuts, and I think he’s that way in every aspect of life. I think that attention to detail and that focus and drive are things that he’s instilled in me and I’m super grateful for.”
?Jet Greaves
The Family’s Role in Shaping NHL Careers
Beyond technical skills and hard work, the Greaves family has provided a strong support system vital to Jet’s ascent. The sacrifices and encouragement from both parents combined to create opportunities and sustain motivation throughout the challenges of competitive hockey. Jet reflected,
“Kai and I were very lucky in that way. Our parents were always available for us, whatever we needed. They were always supporting me so much. They’re a bigger part of everything than I was almost, so I’m super grateful for that.”
?Jet Greaves
The journey from backyard rink to NHL crease underscores the importance of perseverance, family dedication, and learning at every stage. Jet Greaves’ continuing trajectory not only highlights his individual talent but also celebrates the rich family legacy behind it.
What Lies Ahead for Jet Greaves and the Blue Jackets
As Jet Greaves solidifies his status as the Blue Jackets’ starting goalie, his progression promises an exciting future both for him and the franchise. At just 24 years old, his strong performances and resilience position him as a cornerstone for the team’s goaltending needs. With support from a family that blends discipline, passion, and unwavering encouragement, Jet’s journey exemplifies how personal legacy and hard work intersect in professional sports.
Looking forward, continued development and consistent play could help Jet reach new heights in the NHL, inspiring future generations of players from diverse backgrounds. His story also contributes to the broader narrative celebrating Black players in hockey, helping to expand representation and inspire more participation in the sport across communities.
