Preview: Historic Skate Guaranteed as 5 Seek 1st Trip to Saturday Center Ice
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
March 4, 2026
All three 2025 MHSAA Finals winners will return to USA Hockey Arena this weekend intending to repeat – and, in fact, Detroit Catholic Central will be playing for a sixth-straight title.
But we also will welcome five teams that have never reached a championship game in this sport – and we’re guaranteed to see at least one take the ice Saturday in Plymouth with a championship on the line.
Utica Eisenhower, Northville, Detroit U-D Jesuit, Caledonia and Traverse Bay Reps are those five teams seeking to make the season’s final day for the first time. Eisenhower and Northville will face off in a Friday Semifinal, guaranteeing the winner also celebrates that historic achievement.
Division 1 – Friday Semifinals
#1 Detroit Catholic Central (27-1-1) vs. #4 Rockford (21-8-1), 5 p.m.
#2 Utica Eisenhower (24-6) vs. #3 Northville (22-8), 7:30 p.m.
Division 2 – Thursday Semifinals
#1 Flint Powers Catholic (25-5) vs. #4 Detroit U-D Jesuit (13-15), 5 p.m.
#2 Caledonia (21-5-1) vs. #3 Livonia Stevenson (19-9-1), 7:30 p.m.
Division 3 – Friday Semifinals
#1 Houghton (23-6-1) vs. #4 Traverse Bay Reps (16-12-1), 11 a.m.
#2 Orchard Lake St. Mary's (24-4) vs. #3 Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett (25-5), 1:30 p.m.
Saturday – Finals
Division 1 – 7 p.m.
Division 2 – 11 a.m.
Division 3 – 3 p.m.
All Semifinals and Finals will be streamed live on MHSAA.tv and viewable with subscription. For information on tickets and more, go to the Ice Hockey page – and see below for a glance at all 12 contenders, listed by seed.
Division 1
#1 DETROIT CATHOLIC CENTRAL
Record/rank: 27-1-1, No. 2
Coach: Brandon Kaleniecki, 11th season (270-33-3)
League finish: First in Michigan Interscholastic Hockey League, first in Catholic High School League
Championship history: Nineteen MHSAA titles (most recent 2024), five runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 1-0 (Quarterfinal) and 4-3 over No. 1 Howell, 5-0 over No. 6 Brighton, 6-3 over Division 2 No. 1 Flint Powers Catholic, 8-4 over Division 2 No. 8 Trenton, 3-2 (OT) and 5-2 over Division 3 No. 1 Orchard Lake St. Mary’s.
Players to watch: Sean Goff, jr. F (11 goals, 13 assists); Lucas Szmagaj, jr. F (11 goals, 16 assists); Ryan Dye, sr. D (9 goals, 25 assists), Costa Karadimas, sr. F (9 goals, 18 assists).
Outlook: Detroit Catholic Central opened this season with a win over Howell and then added another in the Quarterfinal to return to this weekend. The lone loss came Nov. 19 to No. 3 Hartland, and the Shamrocks also have defeated strong opponents from Ohio, Illinois and Wisconsin. Goff centers Szmagaj and Karadimas on the top line, but a second of seniors Jack Dorgan (13 goals/14 assists)-Matthew Naida (8/14)-Gabe Thompson (18/3) is similarly potent, and junior defenseman Sam Masek (10/17) has reached double-digit goals as well. Junior Nicholas Kogut (1.47 goals-against average) and senior Maxxon Sulla (0.60) have combined for 12 shutouts.
#2 UTICA EISENHOWER
Record/rank: 24-6, No. 4
Coach: David Erwin, second season (47-11)
League finish: First in Macomb Area Conference Red
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 7-1 and 10-6 over No. 10 Macomb Dakota, 4-1 over Division 2 No. 4 Byron Center, 4-2 over Division 2 No. 6 Rochester United, 4-2 over Division 2 No. 9 Mattawan, 5-2 over Division 2 No. 10 St. Clair Shores United.
Players to watch: Sawyer Hotchkiss, sr. F (20 goals, 25 assists); Bode Farr, sr. F (43 goals, 46 assists); Joseph Zelenak, sr. F (41 goals, 58 assists); Nathan Schilkey, sr. F (49 goals, 48 assists).
Outlook: Eisenhower has advanced to the Semifinals for the first time since 2006 anchored by serious scoring power especially on the top line where Farr centers Zelenak and Schilkey. Junior forward Ryan Dex (16 goals, 18 assists) is another top scorer, and junior defenseman Zach Morrison (8/21) is among blueliners adding most to the attack. Hotchkiss, Farr and senior goalie Connor Holmes (1.86 GAA) all earned all-state honorable mentions last season. The Eagles’ only loss since the start of December came to No. 7 Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central.
#3 NORTHVILLE
Record/rank: 22-8, No. 5
Coach: Ryan Ossenmacher, fourth season (61-45-3)
League finish: Fourth in Kensington Lakes Activities Association West
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 3-1 over No. 6 Brighton in Regional Final, 4-3 over Division 2 No. 4 Byron Center, 3-2 over Division 3 No. 3 Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood, 5-1 over Division 3 No. 9 South Lyon Unified.
Players to watch: Tommy Marinoff, sr. F (32 goals, 19 assists); Jordan Sziraki, sr. F (11 goals, 15 assists); Lucas Goerke, sr. F (12 goals, 16 assists); Ethan Egelski, sr. F (30 goals, 19 assists).
Outlook: Northville is returning to the Semifinals for the first time since 2017, and Ossenmacher has brought the Mustangs back after they finished just 10-15-2 in his first season four years ago. The fourth place in the KLAA West requires context; Northville finished behind No. 1 Howell, No. 3 Hartland and No. 6 Brighton and then avenged their regular-season loss to the Bulldogs in the Regional Final. Marinoff made the all-state first team last season. Senior defenseman Graham Ryba also is among team leaders in assists with 14, and junior Andrea Castiglioni (1.94 GAA) and sophomore Carter Nissen (1.72) are solid in net.
#4 ROCKFORD
Record/rank: 21-9, No. 8
Coach: Carl Mokosak, fourth season (51-53-1)
League finish: Second in Ottawa-Kent Conference Rue
Championship history: Division 1 runner-up 2021.
Best wins: 4-0 (Regional Final) and 4-1 over No. 7 Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central, 5-4 (SO) over No. 5 Northville, 3-2 over Division 2 No. 3 Grandville, 5-3 over Division 2 No. 4 Byron Center.
Players to watch: Jonah Packard, sr. F (39 goals, 22 assists); Jackson Vollmer, sr. F (17 goals, 20 assists); Brody Raguckas, sr. F (16 goals, 12 assists); Chase Laverell, jr. F (8 goals, 26 assists).
Outlook: Rockford is back at the Semifinals for the first time since its runner-up finish five years ago and after ending only 10-15 a season ago. The Rams have won 12 of their last 13 games and made the impressive jump keyed by a senior-heavy offensive effort that also includes Michael Mead (11 goals, 13 assists) and Warner Korytkowski (5/20) among team statistical leaders. Rockford has scored at least five goals in nine of those 12 most recent victories and also held both Regional opponents Sparta and Forest Hills Central scoreless. Packard earned all-state honorable mention last season.
Division 2
#1 FLINT POWERS CATHOLIC
Record/rank: 25-5, No. 1
Coach: Travis Perry, 20th season (411-123-20)
League finish: First in Saginaw Valley League
Championship history: Division 3 champion 2023 and 2025, seven runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 9-1 over No. 2 Livonia Stevenson, 6-0 over No. 7 Alpena, 3-1 over Division 1 No. 5 Northville, 8-0 over Division 3 No. 6 Escanaba.
Players to watch: Ayden Cook, sr. F (53 goals, 48 assists); Owen Perry, soph. F (34 goals, 53 assists); Parker Bendall, sr. F (22 goals, 43 assists); Hunter Clark, sr. G (1.85 GAA, 7 shutouts).
Outlook: The Chargers are seeking their second-straight title and third in four seasons backstopped by an all-state honorable mention goalie in Clark and scoring nearly seven goals per game. Seniors Gavin Vorwerk (20 goals, 19 assists) and Jack Johnson (11/13) and sophomores Sam Beebe (15/14) and Chase Stevens (10/15) also have reached double-digit goals, and junior defenseman Julian Meyer has 39 assists to go with seven goals from the blue line. Powers hasn’t given up a score during the postseason, defeating Fenton, Saginaw Heritage and Midland Dow by a combined 29-0. All five losses were to teams ranked among the top three in Division 1 or 3.
#2 CALEDONIA
Record/rank: 21-5-1, No. 5
Coach: Tyler Jaenicke, first season (21-5-1)
League finish: Second in O-K Rue
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 3-2 OT (Regional Final) and 4-2 over No. 4 Byron Center, 3-1 over No. 9 Mattawan in Regional Semifinal, 2-1 (OT) over No. 3 Grandville, 4-2 over Division 1 No. 6 Brighton, 5-0 over Division 1 No. 7 Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central, 4-2 over Division 1 No. 8 Rockford.
Players to watch: Ty Lewandowski, sr. F (17 goals, 16 assists); Sam Hoag, sr. G (1.65 GAA); Harmon Esch, sr. F (20 goals, 17 assists); Gabe Supuk, jr. D (10 goals, 13 assists).
Outlook: Caledonia has increased its win total four straight seasons and advanced to the Semifinals to the first time with a tournament run that also included a 4-3 double-overtime victory over Muskegon Mona Shores in the Quarterfinal. The Fighting Scots started a current eight-game winning streak by edging Division 3 semifinalist Traverse Bay Reps, and along the way have avenged losses to Byron Center and Mattawan. Junior Ethan Sova (17 goals, 18 assists) centers the top line, and sophomore Bryce Mitchell (10/8) is also a top scorer. Hoag made the all-state first team last season, and Lewandowski made the second team.
#3 LIVONIA STEVENSON
Record/rank: 19-9-1, No. 2
Coach: Jay Thompson, first season (19-9-1)
League finish: First in KLAA East
Championship history: Division 2 champion 2013, three runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 4-3 (Quarterfinal) and 2-1 (SO) over No. 6 Rochester United, 4-2 over No. 9 Mattawan, 5-2 over No. 8 Trenton, 4-3 over Division 1 No. 5 Northville, 6-3 over Division 1 No. 3 Hartland, 4-3 over Division 1 No. 6 Brighton, 5-3 over Division 3 No. 3 Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood, 3-1 over Division 3 No. 7 Riverview Gabriel Richard.
Players to watch: Colin Stroble, sr. D (14 goals, 33 assists); Dawson Wallis, sr. D (12 goals, 28 assists); Blake Calhoun, sr. F (20 goals, 17 assists); Brendan Sise, sr. F (18 goals, 30 assists).
Outlook: Stevenson won its first Regional title since 2023 and is making its first Semifinal trip since its most recent runner-up season in 2016, with Thompson leading the way after formerly serving as an assistant coach for a decade and then the last three seasons as an assistant at Northville. Stroble made the all-state first team last season and Wallis earned honorable mention, and they give the Spartans a high-powered top defense pair to go with an attack that also includes seniors Garrett Teahan (11 goals/19 assists) and Tyler Breitbach (10/8). The win over Hartland on Jan. 14 started a current 10-3-1 run.
#4 DETROIT U-D JESUIT
Record/rank: 13-15, unranked
Coach: Domenic Recchia, second season (19-36)
League finish: Fourth in MIHL South
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 4-3 (OT) over No. 8 Trenton in Quarterfinal, 3-1 over Dexter in Semifinal, 2-1 (SO) over Huron Valley United, 3-1 over Marysville.
Players to watch: Zack Barringer, sr. F (10 goals, 10 assists); Teo Mosera, jr. F (12 goals, 9 assists); Carter Gogate, sr. F (10 goals, 14 assists); Brody Contat, sr. F (8 goals, 12 assists).
Outlook: Jesuit is making its second trip to the Semifinals in four seasons, improving from 6-21 just a year ago and after starting this playoff run with a 6-3 victory over Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice. Of the team’s 14 losses, 10 came to opponents ranked in their divisions’ respective top 10s at the end of the regular season. The Cubs have only five seniors, and junior forward Will Balasia (10 goals, 5 assists) is another top scorer and centers the second line. Recchia played at Jesuit and returned as a varsity assistant in 2013 and then became junior varsity head coach before taking over the program.
Division 3
#1 HOUGHTON
Record/rank: 23-6-1, No. 2
Coach: Micah Stipech, third season (65-17-3)
League finish: Does not play in a conference.
Championship history: Class B-C-D champion 1982, five runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 4-0 (Quarterfinal) and 6-0 over No. 4 Marquette, 9-1 (Regional Final), 3-1 and 5-1 over No. 5 Calumet, 5-0 (Regional Semifinal) over Hancock, 10-5 over No. 3 Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett, 4-1 and 4-1 over No. 10 Painesdale Jeffers, 6-5 (OT) over No. 7 Riverview Gabriel Richard, 5-4 over Division 2 No. 8 Trenton, 2-0 over Division 2 No. 9 Mattawan, 4-1 over Division 2 No. 3 Grandville, 5-1 over Division 1 No. 7 Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central, 6-1 over Division 1 No. 6 Brighton, 2-1 (OT) over Division 1 No. 3 Hartland.
Players to watch: Connor Arko, sr. F (24 goals, 34 assists); Noah Maillette, sr. F (28 goals, 21 assists); Jack Sayen, sr. F (15 goals, 19 assists); Gunner Gullstrand, soph. F (13 goals, 15 assists).
Outlook: Houghton is about as tested as they come heading into this weekend, with five of the six losses also to ranked opponents and the sixth coming to rival Hancock two weeks before the Gremlins avenged to the start the postseason. Houghton last finished Division 3 runner-up in 2019 and reached the Semifinals most recently in 2023. Arko made the all-state second team last season. Gullstrand centers a second line of two more top scorers, sophomore Braden Kari (11 goals/15 assists) and junior Brody Donnelly (18/17).
#2 ORCHARD LAKE ST. MARY’S
Record/rank: 24-4, No. 1
Coach: Brian Klanow, 27th season (426-220-39)
League finish: Third in MIHL North
Championship history: Four MHSAA titles (most recent 2025), two runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 3-1 over No. 9 South Lyon Unified in Regional Final, 9-1 and 5-1 over No. 7 Riverview Gabriel Richard, 5-3 over Division 1 No. 3 Hartland, 8-3 over Division 1 No. 6 Brighton, 7-4 over Division 2 No. 2 Livonia Stevenson, 7-2 over Division 2 No. 1 Flint Powers Catholic, 10-2 over Division 2 No. 8 Trenton.
Players to watch: Thaddeus Raynish, jr. F (20 goals, 13 assists); Dominic Pizzo, sr. F (20 goals, 19 assists); Diezel Cariera, sr. D (7 goals, 24 assists); Charlie Roberts, sr. F (28 goals, 23 assists).
Outlook: The reigning champion has been building toward a potential repeat, riding a 13-game winning streak with its only losses to Detroit Catholic Central (twice), Howell and Cranbrook. Roberts and Raynish have been among the team’s leading scorers multiple seasons, and Raynish made the all-state first team a year ago. Eight players this winter have scored at least 11 goals, and 13 have at least 10 assists. Senior Matthew Mourad (11 goals/16 assists)-junior Emmett Pilch (12/13)-sophomore Matthew Boyda (11/16) are a potent second line, and junior Daniel Ramos (12/16) and senior John Brown (11/16) also are double-digit scorers with sophomore Brandon Kondrat (9/17) needing one more goal to join the group.
#3 GROSSE POINTE WOODS UNIVERSITY LIGGETT
Record/rank: 25-5, No. 8
Coach: Colin Smith, fifth season (91-40-2)
League finish: Second in Metro League East, first in CHSL Cardinal Tournament
Championship history: Three MHSAA titles (most recent 2012).
Best wins: 2-0 over No. 3 Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood in Regional Final, 3-2 (Quarterfinal), 6-3 and 4-2 over Dearborn Divine Child, 5-2 and 5-4 over Division 1 No. 10 Macomb Dakota, 5-3 over Division 2 No. 1 Flint Powers Catholic.
Players to watch: Landen Maltby, sr. C (15 goals, 11 assists); Griffin Marchal, sr. RW (29 goals, 39 assists); Luke Slanec, jr. C (18 goals, 39 assists); Nick Gould, sr. LW (43 goals, 34 assists).
Outlook: Liggett won its first Regional title since 2020 and will play at the Semifinals for the first time since its most recent championship season of 2012. The Knights advanced by winning their fourth matchup this season with Metro League East champ Divine Child, which had defeated Liggett 18 days earlier. Liggett opened this postseason with a 3-2 double-overtime win over Warren De La Salle Collegiate. Junior left wing Johnny Secco (10 goals/14 assists) and senior defenseman Ryan Cordaro (5/20) also are among top contributors to the attack.
#4 TRAVERSE BAY REPS
Record/rank: 16-12-1, unranked
Coach: Mike Matteucci, eighth season (136-72-7)
League finish: Does not play in a conference.
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 3-1 over Petoskey in Regional Final, 3-0 over Warren De La Salle Collegiate, 5-2 and 2-1 over Traverse City Central.
Players to watch: Tyler Boynton-Fisher, sr. G (1.53 GAA, 6 shutouts); Carter Denoyer, sr. F (5 goals, 20 assists); Thatcher Beaudoin, jr. F (20 goals, 7 assists); Eddie Walter, sr. F (17 goals, 16 assists).
Outlook: The Reps won their first Regional title since 2023 and will be returning to the Semifinals for the first time since 2019, and after finishing 12-15 a year ago. The impressive rise really took hold in early December, as the Reps began rebounding from a 2-6 start that included three overtime or shootout defeats. They are 10-2-1 since mid-January, that tie coming against Division 2 No. 4 Byron Center, and the Regional Final win over the Northmen avenged a regular-season loss. Boynton-Fisher earned all-state honorable mention last season, and junior Joel Ziecina (7 goals/17 assists) and sophomore Chase Kent (5/11) are the top defensive pair in front of him.
PHOTOS (Top) Houghton's Ian Hembroff (18) deflects the puck away from goalie Cooper Flachs and Marquette's Evan Mattila during the Gremlins’ Quarterfinal win Saturday. (Middle) Garrett Teahan (12) and Brendan Sise (16) lead a rush during Stevenson’s win over Livonia Red on Jan. 3. (Houghton/Marquette photo by Cara Kamps. Stevenson/Livonia Red photo by Douglas Bargerstock.)
Preview: Top-Ranked Earn Top Seeds as Title Chase Enters Final Rounds
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
March 6, 2025
We know the favorites for this weekend’s MHSAA Ice Hockey Finals at Plymouth’s USA Hockey Arena – the final four teams in each division are seeded, and the three top-seeded teams also happen to be the three that were ranked No. 1 in their respective divisions at the end of the regular season.
Judging by their achievements this winter, that top-ranked trio be tough to stop. But there are nine more contenders eager for the opportunity.
In Division 1, Detroit Catholic Central has won 18 championships and will face a field of three teams all seeking to claim their first title.
In Division 2, Flint Powers Catholic is seeking its second in three seasons, but is up against a group that has combined to win eight titles and finish runner-up five times.
And in Division 3, Orchard Lake St. Mary’s will play for a first championship since 2008. But Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood is back after winning its 19th last year, and Painesdale Jeffers is seeking its first and Alpena its first in more than three decades.
Division 1 – Friday Semifinals
#1 Detroit Catholic Central (26-2) vs. #4 Sparta (17-11), 5 p.m.
#2 Howell (23-3-2) vs. #3 Salem (16-12), 7:30 p.m.
Division 2 – Thursday Semifinals
#1 Flint Powers Catholic (23-4) vs. #4 Grandville (23-6), 5 p.m.
#2 Livonia Stevenson (17-8-2) vs. #3 Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice (16-10-2), 7:30 p.m.
Division 3 – Friday Semifinals
#1 Orchard Lake St. Mary's (21-5-2) vs. #4 Alpena (19-9), 11 a.m.
#2 Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood (18-8-1) vs. #3 Painesdale Jeffers (24-4), 1:30 p.m.
Saturday – Finals
Division 1 – 7 p.m.
Division 2 – 11 a.m.
Division 3 – 3 p.m.
All Semifinals and Finals will be streamed live on MHSAA.tv and viewable with subscription. For information on tickets and more, go to the Ice Hockey page – and see below for a glance at all 12 contenders, listed by seed.
Division 1
#1 DETROIT CATHOLIC CENTRAL
Record/rank: 26-2, No. 1
Coach: Brandon Kaleniecki, 10th season (243-32-2)
League finish: First in Michigan Interscholastic Hockey League White, first in Catholic High School League Bishop
Championship history: Eighteen MHSAA titles (most recent 2024), five runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 2-1 (OT) over No. 2 Hartland in Regional Final, 4-1 over No. 4 No. 4 Clarkston, 4-1 over No. 5 Brighton, 4-1 over Division 2 No. 4 Livonia Stevenson, 4-3 over Division 2 No. 2 Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice, 3-2 (OT) over Division 3 No. 5 Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood, 5-2 over Division 3 No. 1 Orchard Lake St. Mary’s.
Players to watch: Justin Bloink, sr. D (13 goals, 18 assists), Resse Hemme, sr. F (13 goals, 18 assists), Tyler O’Brien, sr. F (14 goals, 15 assists), Joe Bedells, sr. G (1.76 goals-against average).
Outlook: The Shamrocks have won five straight Division 1 championships and have had only a handful of close calls this season, with their losses to Division 3 No. 4 Warren De La Salle Collegiate 5-4 in overtime on Feb. 12 and 6-3 to Lake Forest Academy of Illinois on Jan. 25. Total six players have at least 20 points this season, with senior defenseman Sam Wolak (7 goals/18 assists) and senior forwards Peter Sanin (9/14) and Nino Suhy (11/11) also in that mix and junior forwards Jack Dorgan (10 goals) and Gabe Thompson (11) also among lead scorers.
#2 HOWELL
Record/rank: 23-3-2, No. 3
Coach: Keith Robertson, first season (23-3-2)
League finish: Second in Kensington Lakes Activities Association West
Championship history: Division 1 runners-up 2010 and 2009.
Best wins: 2-1 (Quarterfinal) and 3-2 over No. 4 Clarkston, 2-1 over No. 5 Brighton, 3-2 over No. 8 Northville, 3-2 over No. 9 Novi, 3-2 (OT) over No. 7 Lakes United, 4-2 over Division 2 No. 1 Flint Powers Catholic, 3-2 over Division 2 No. 4 Livonia Stevenson, 3-1 over Division 2 No. 5 Grandville, 8-0 over Division 2 No. 6 Byron Center, 4-2 over Division 3 No. 2 Houghton, 2-1 over Division 3 No. 5 Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood.
Players to watch: Ben Huotari, sr. F (15 goals, 10 assists); Chad Pietila, jr. D (16 goals, 19 assists); Rory Sturos, sr. F (15 goals, 27 assists); Henry Lansky, sr. G (1.38 goals-against average, six shutouts).
Outlook: Howell last reached the Semifinals in 2020, but could not play because COVID-19 resulted in the end of that tournament before that round began. So the Highlanders instead will play in their first Semifinal since 2010, and they’ve made this run in their first season under Robertson, who served last season as an assistant after previously assisting Livonia Stevenson for a decade. Pietila made the all-state first team last season, and Huotari made second team. Juniors forwards Bryce Eskola (10 goals, 13 assists) and Marco Wolf (10/20) also are among leading scorers. Howell’s only losses were to Orchard Lake St. Mary’s and Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice both in shootouts, and Semifinal opponent Salem on Nov. 20.
#3 SALEM
Record/rank: 16-12, No. 6
Coach: Jake Sealy, third season (41-40-2)
League finish: Tied for second in KLAA East
Championship history: Has never appeared in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 7-4 (Quarterfinal) and 4-1 over No. 5 Brighton, 10-4 over No. 9 Novi, 4-2 over No. 3 Howell, 2-1 over Division 2 No. 3 Trenton, 7-4 over Division 2 No. 5 Grandville, 4-3 over Division 3 No. 5 Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood.
Players to watch: Dominic Chaput, sr. F (34 goals, 35 assists); Nolan Kaminski, sr. F (35 goals, 32 assists); Cameron Eichner, sr. D (6 goals, 30 assists); Karsen Patel, sr. F (19 goals, 43 assists).
Outlook: Salem won its sixth Regional title over the last 11 seasons and has broken through for its first trip to the Semifinals. The Rocks have won nine of their last 11 games, and the most recent Brighton victory to reach this weekend avenged a loss to the Bulldogs in Salem’s regular-season finale. Chaput made the all-state second team last season and is part of a powerful top line with Kaminski and Patel. Sophomore Andrew Weidenbach provides a scoring boost as well centering the second line, with eight goals and 14 assists this season.
#4 SPARTA
Record/rank: 17-11, unranked
Coach: Kevin Bormes, second season
League finish: First in River Cities Alliance
Championship history: Has never appeared in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 5-2 (Quarterfinal) and 2-0 over Richland Gull Lake, 2-1 (2OT) over Muskegon Mona Shores in Regional Final, 2-1 over Midland Dow, 4-3 (OT) over Muskegon Reeths-Puffer, 6-4 over Division 3 No. 8 Alpena.
Players to watch: Tanner Guerra, sr. F (14 goals, 13 assists); Trevor Serba, jr. F (17 goals, 11 assists); Caden Gleason, sr. F (28 goals, 19 assists); Trevor Vance, sr. G (2.40 goals-against average).
Outlook: Sparta is making its first trip to the Semifinals with seven wins over its last 10 games and two of the losses during that time coming in overtime. Among all their defeats this season, seven were one-goal games. Seniors dominate the top two defensive pairings and forward lines with 12 total on the roster. Gleason and Vance both made the all-state second team last season, when Sparta finished 23-4 in its first under Bormes. Junior Carson Riley (12 goals/10 assists) centers the top line.
Division 2
#1 FLINT POWERS CATHOLIC
Record/rank: 23-4, No. 1
Coach: Travis Perry, 19th season (384-117-20)
League finish: First in Saginaw Valley League
Championship history: Division 3 champion 2023, seven runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 5-4 (OT) over No. 7 Marquette in Quarterfinal, 5-1 over No. 6 Byron Center, 4-1 (Regional Final) and 8-2 over No. 10 White Lake Lakeland, 4-3 (OT) over Division 1 No. 4 Clarkston, 4-3 over Division 3 No. 1 Orchard Lake St. Mary’s, 4-3 over Division 3 No. 2 Houghton, 2-1 over Division 3 No. 7 Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett, 5-1 over Division 3 No. 8 Alpena, 5-2 over Division 3 No. 3 East Grand Rapids.
Players to watch: Ayden Cook, jr. F (37 goals, 33 assists); Andrew Parmentier, sr. F (12 goals, 36 assists); Owen Perry, fr. F (25 goals, 37 assists); Andrew Burney, sr. F (22 goals, 20 assists).
Outlook: The Chargers came back from a 4-1 deficit in their Quarterfinal to get past Marquette and continue their pursuit of a second championship in three seasons. Their only losses were to the top three-ranked teams in Division 1 – Detroit Catholic Central, Hartland and Howell – and Sault Ste. Marie in overtime. Powers is scoring an average of 5.6 goals per game, with junior forward Parker Bendall (10 goals/32 assists) and senior forward Landon Miller (11/12) also in double digits. Meanwhile, junior Hunter Clark is giving up only 2.2 goals per game in goal. Cook made the all-state second team last season, and Parmentier earned an honorable mention.
#2 LIVONIA STEVENSON
Record/rank: 17-8-2, No. 4
Coach: David Mitchell, 17th season (318-117-22)
League finish: Second in KLAA East
Championship history: Division 2 champion 2013, two runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 6-3 over No. 3 Trenton, 6-5 over No. 8 Mattawan, 7-2 over Division 1 No. 8 Northville, 7-3 over Division 1 No. 6 Salem, 8-4 over Division 1 No. 9 Novi, 4-2 over Division 1 No. 5 Brighton, 6-5 (OT) over Division 1 No. 10 Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central, 3-1 over Division 3 No. 2 Houghton.
Players to watch: Owen Hall, sr. F (24 goals, 30 assists); Colin Stroble, jr. D (11 goals, 26 assists); Christian Lang, sr. F (13 goals, 26 assists); Connor Buchanan, sr. F (19 goals, 23 assists).
Outlook: A frequent Regional champion over the last decade, Stevenson will play in its first Semifinal since its most recent runner-up season of 2015-16. The Spartans opened this winter 10-1-1, hit a rough patch but have won four of their last five games. They also have tied with Howell and Orchard Lake St. Mary’s and played most of the ranked teams in Division 1. Hall made the all-state first team last season, and Stroble made the second team. Junior Dawson Wallis (9 goals/19 assists) joins Stroble for the top defense pairing in front of senior goalie Lucas Rorabacher (2.89 goals-against average).
#3 BLOOMFIELD HILLS BROTHER RICE
Record/rank: 16-10-2, No. 2
Coach: Kenny Chaput, ninth season (152-74-12)
League finish: Second in MIHL White
Championship history: Seven MHSAA titles (most recent 2023), two runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 4-2 over No. 3 Trenton in Quarterfinal, 3-2 (OT) over Division 1 No. 4 Clarkston, 4-2 over Division 1 No. 6 Salem, 3-2 (SO) over Division 1 No. 3 Howell, 5-1 over Division 3 No. 2 Houghton, 4-1 over Division 3 No. 5 Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood.
Players to watch: Roman Villaire, sr. F (17 goals, 26 assists); Cameron George, sr. D (3 goals, 18 assists), Zac Staelgraeve, jr. F (15 goals, 15 assists); Logan Jardine, jr. F (14 goals, 11 assists).
Outlook: After a rough start, Brother Rice is 13-4-1 since its final game of December and while playing a schedule also loaded with several of the state’s best. The Warriors are seeking their fourth championship under Chaput and third over the last five seasons. Villaire made the all-state first team last season, and George earned an honorable mention. Senior forward Lanny Eickhorst (11 goals/15 assists) and sophomore forward Isaiah House (13/13) also have reached double-digit goals, and junior Mark Besedin (2.30 goals-against average) and senior Jude Manly (2.00) have split time in net.
#4 GRANDVILLE
Record/rank: 23-6, No. 5
Coach: Joel Breazeale, 14th season (230-146-12)
League finish: First in Ottawa-Kent Conference Fischer
Championship history: Division 1 runner-up 2015.
Best wins: 2-1 (Regional Final) and 2-1 (OT) over No. 6 Byron Center, 1-0 over No. 8 Mattawan in Regional Semifinal, 6-3 over Division 1 No. 8 Northville, 2-1 over Division 1 No. 10 Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central, 6-4 over Division 3 No. 6 Painesdale Jeffers.
Players to watch: Landon Smith, jr. F (23 goals, 24 assists); Lewis Gardine, soph. D (15 goals, 10 assists); Mason Schroeder, sr. F (16 goals, 18 assists); Owen Barrett, sr. F (11 goals, 22 assists).
Outlook: Grandville last reached the Semifinals in 2022 and rebounded from last year’s 10-16-1 finish with seven straight wins to start this season and 10 over 12 games heading into this weekend. The Bulldogs have given up just one goal with three shutouts during the playoffs, with junior Ayden Karas holding down a 1.93 goals-against average for the season. Senior forward Bennett Eisma (13 goals/26 assists) and junior forward Luke Deboer (10/18) are among other leading scorers. Smith made the all-state second team last season.
Division 3
#1 ORCHARD LAKE ST. MARY’S
Record/rank: 21-5-2, No. 1
Coach: Brian Klanow, 26th season (402-214-39)
League finish: First in MIHL Gold
Championship history: Three MHSAA titles (most recent 2008), two runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 5-1 over No. 3 East Grand Rapids in Quarterfinal, 5-3, 3-2 and 5-3 over No. 4 Warren De La Salle Collegiate; 4-3 over No. 2 Houghton, 3-1 and 3-2 (OT) over Division 2 No. 2 Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice, 2-0 and 6-4 over Division 2 No. 7 Marquette, 3-2 (OT) over Division 2 No. 3 Trenton, 2-1 (SO) over Division 1 No. 3 Howell, 4-2 over Division 1 No. 2 Hartland.
Players to watch: Charlie Roberts, jr. F (19 goals, 16 assists); Jack Squire, sr. D (11 goals, 16 assists); Adam Zielinski, sr. F (13 goals, 18 assists); Thad Raynish, soph. F (25 goals, 15 assists).
Outlook: This will be St. Mary’s first trip to the Semifinals since 2012, with its most recent runner-up finish in 2011. They’ve won eight of their last nine games, and their losses have come to Division 1 top-ranked DCC, Division 2 top-ranked Powers, twice to Cranbrook and most recently to Sault Ste. Marie. Senior forward Julian Johnston adds another seven goals and a team-high 27 assists centering the top line, and total 11 players have double-digit assists. Seniors Will Keane (2.23 GAA) and Mason Shea (1.97) have split time in goal with plenty of success.
#2 BLOOMFIELD HILLS CRANBROOK KINGSWOOD
Record/rank: 18-8-1, No. 5
Coach: John LaFontaine, sixth season (81-61-10)
League finish: Second in MIHL Blue
Championship history: 19 MHSAA titles (most recent 2021), two runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 1-0 (Regional Final) and 3-0 over No. 4 Warren De La Salle Collegiate, 6-2 and 4-3 over No.1 Orchard Lake St. Mary’s, 6-2 over Division 1 No. 8 Northville, 2-0 over Division 2 No. 7 Marquette.
Players to watch: Nick Timko, sr. F (19 goals, 20 assists); Efe Oztorun, jr. F (14 goals, 12 assists); Hank Callison, sr. F (11 goals, 10 assists); Caleb Goldstein, sr. F (6 goals, 10 assists).
Outlook: Cranbrook rose from the fourth seed last season to win its first championship since 2021, and Timko made the all-state second team after helping lead that effort. The Cranes have won 11 of their last 13 games, and in addition to defeating St. Mary’s twice took Detroit Catholic Central to overtime in their first of two meetings. All but one loss this season came to opponents ranked among the top 10 in Divisions 1 or 2. Junior defenseman Noah Puyot and junior forward Will Nottle both also have tallied 10 assists this season.
#3 PAINESDALE JEFFERS
Record/rank: 24-4, No. 6
Coach: Aaron Helminen, second season (38-14-1)
League finish: Tied for first in Great Lakes Hockey Conference
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 5-1 (Regional Final) and 5-1 over No. 2 Houghton, 4-1 (Regional Semifinal) and 6-2 over No. 10 Calumet, 3-2 and 4-2 over No. 9 Escanaba, 6-5 (OT) over Division 2 No. 7 Marquette.
Players to watch: Brit Heinonen, sr. LW (46 goals, 28 assists), Benton Rajala, sr. C (32 goals, 32 assists), Brogan Turner, jr. LW (32 goals, 26 assists), Cody Turner, sr. C (17 goals, 27 assists).
Outlook: Usually a cooperative with players from a handful of schools, the Jets are 18 strong and all from their school – and have played that strength and depth to a 10-win improvement from last season and first Regional title and Semifinals trip since 1977. Jeffers has scored five or more goals in 18 games and averages nearly six per game. Freshman right wing Max Nordstrom (8 goals, 23 assists), freshman defenseman Blake Heltunen (1/22), senior defenseman Griffin Heinonen (6/14) and junior right wing Easton Therrian (9/19) are among others dishing out plenty of assists. Junior goalie Kasen Helminen has given up only 1.76 goals per game.
#4 ALPENA
Record/rank: 19-9, No. 8
Coach: Ben Henry, fourth season (74-36)
League finish: First in Big North Conference
Championship history: Three MHSAA titles (most recent 1993), two runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 5-2 over Petoskey in Quarterfinal, 5-4 over No. 10 Calumet, 4-3 (OT) over No. 6 Painesdale Jeffers, 4-2 over Division 2 No. 9 Caledonia.
Players to watch: Garrett Hamp, sr. F (26 goals, 18 assists); Clark Weir, jr. F (17 goals, 8 assists); Gavin Winterstein, jr. F (20 goals, 25 assists); Trevor Worth, soph. F (9 goals, 14 assists).
Outlook: Alpena last made the Semifinals in 2007, but has won Regional titles all four seasons under Henry and will make this trip coming off what had to be one of its most satisfying wins of the season – although the Wildcats had won the Big North Conference, they were swept by runner-up Petoskey during the regular season but defeated the Northmen in their third meeting to advance. All of the other in-state losses were to teams ranked in Divisions 1 or 2 or playing in Plymouth this weekend. Sophomore defenseman Ethan Walker (4 goals/15 assists) and senior forward Lucas Weir (5/11) are among other top offensive contributors for a team that will graduate only five players.
PHOTOS (Top) Orchard Lake St. Mary's and Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice face off during their Pink in the Rink game Feb. 8. (Middle) Painesdale Jeffers celebrates during its Quarterfinal win over Sault Ste. Marie. (St. Mary's/Brother Rice photo by Hockey Weekly Action Photos. Jeffers photo by RR Photo.)