I might be biased, having coached in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association (KLAA), but this group may have the best format in all of Michigan high school hockey. Ten programs split into two divisions based on geography. Everyone plays everyone once, plus a ranking game (matchup determined based off of last season’s rankings) and a division crossover game 1-v-1, 2-v-2 and so on. The top against top matchup being your conference championship at the end of the regular season. 

The KLAA has been uber competitive in recent years too, with three different programs accounting for the last four league championships. There’s turnover at the top, and that trend may continue this winter. Livonia Stevenson seems primed for a big season, ready to claim its first KLAA title since ‘19-20. Hartland may be the odds-on favorite given some of the impact players set to return. This may be the best team Howell has had in decades, too. All of them looking to upend the two-time defending champion Brighton. 

Last Season’s Champion: Brighton

The Bulldogs went back-to-back as KLAA champions after not having won one in almost 10 years. Can they make it a three-peat and extend their dominance over one of the best conferences in Michigan high school hockey?

The top four scorers Cam Duffany, Lane Petit, Charlie Burchfield and Aiden Seiter have all graduated. Starting goalie Lev Pennala has too. The Bulldogs have a lot of holes to fill; losses that many other programs would not be able to endure. Yet, Ryan Watkins back on the blue line is a calming presence. Tim Peterson — who scored 10 goals and 16 points as a freshman — has made leaps and bounds in his development this offseason too. Brighton will be a young team this winter with incoming players like Connor Duffany, Caden O’Toole and Mitchell Wysocki who, like Peterson, are all 2009-born prospects. But they will still be every bit as dangerous as years past when coupling the newbies with returners like Watkins and Freddie Londo. 

Returning Players to Watch

Owen Hall, Livonia Stevenson Senior Forward

Hall is an absolute gamer. Any time he steps on the ice, it’s all gas and no brakes. He’s gritty, heavy on pucks and really hard to play against. With 73 points in 67 career varsity games, Hall is the all-time leading scorer in the conference among active players.

Ian Kastamo, Hartland Senior Forward

He’s a high-level player in his own right, with a knack of making others around him play at a higher level too. Kastamo is a rare four-year guy for the Eagles, and his experience has helped perfect his hockey IQ and understanding of the game. My preseason favorite for Mr. Hockey honors.

Dominic Chaput, Salem Senior Forward

Came over from Victory Honda last fall and immediately put up the second-most points in the KLAA, behind Brighton’s Cam Duffany. Made Team Michigan juniors last spring, played Michigan Developmental Hockey League (MDHL) this fall, and has positioned himself for a monster senior season this winter.

Alex McCallum, Northville Senior Defenseman

An all-state soccer player and state qualifier in track, as well as being one of the top D in Michigan high school hockey. McCallum was a Team Michigan defenseman last spring after finishing out the winter season strong. Seventeen of his 25 points came in the final 13 games of 2024. 

Ryan Watkins, Brighton Senior Defenseman

Watkins is a big-bodied defender with a long reach. He’s constantly around the play and solid in transition. Opposing forwards in the KLAA will have a tough time getting around him because he just covers so much ice. He has 29 points in 54 career varsity games for the Bulldogs.

*Henry Lansky, Howell Senior Goalie

I’m making an exception for Lansky. He’s a first-year guy for the Highlanders but just may make the single biggest newcomer impact to any program in the state this season. Howell was good, but the addition of Lansky in net may make them elite, and he’ll likely be the runaway favorite for best goalie in the KLAA. 
*Indicates a first-year varsity player

Petey’s Prediction: Hartland

The Eagles are one team that I think have the skill and depth to give Detroit Catholic Central a run in Division-I. The Shamrocks are likely untouchable yet again this season, but Hartland should have the best chance at contending with key contributors like Ian Kastamo and Ty Kraut, among others. They only graduated four players from last season’s 20-6-1 team, and were a top-10 team in terms of goals against, giving up just 1.80 goals per game. That combination of experience, stingy defense and top-level prospects makes the Eagles the early season favorite to win the KLAA.

Livingston County rivals Brighton and Howell will both stand in the Eagles’ way. The Bulldogs won’t relinquish their defending title peacefully, and the Highlanders are a confident bunch under first-year head coach Keith Robertson.

Howell’s leading scorer Ben Huotari is back, after scoring 42 points as a junior and playing for Team Michigan last spring. Rory Sturos and Marco Wolf are back offensively as well. They return a combined 70 points from last season. Junior Chad Pietila could make a case to be the best defenseman in the KLAA this winter, as he enters his third season of varsity hockey. All of those weapons topped off with a goalie who may end up being the best in the state, with Henry Lansky. The Highlanders are going to be a real problem at the state and conference level this season.

In a lot of ways, Livonia Stevenson overachieved last season with a 15-12-1 record and a Regional Championship. Derek Buchanan was the lone senior on the youngest team in Michigan high school hockey, and a playoff run couldn’t have possibly been in the forecast. With that said, virtually this entire team is back but the expectations are much different this time around. Owen Hall is a top forward in the state. Colin Stroble is a top defenseman in the state. Connor Buchanan, Brendan Sise, Dawson Wallis, among others, have all proved they could be contributors at the varsity level. Stevenson may still be young this winter, having had 14 players from the Class of 2026 on the roster last season. But the Spartans should absolutely be considered a contender in conference play, and even a threat to watch when the state tournament rolls around as well.

Two other programs with a chance to make some noise as well; Northville and Salem. Let’s not forget, the Rocks won the East Division last season, and three of their top four scorers are expected to return. Dominic Chaput is a dangerous goal scorer, coupled with the play-making ability of Karsen Patel. Factor in Cam Eichner, who’s stout defensively, and Salem won’t be a pushover either. 

They finished fourth in the KLAA West last season and will in all likelihood finish fourth again this winter, given the competition level of the division. But Northville returns its leading scorer Tommy Marinoff, who’s been the Mustangs’ best forward for two straight seasons. Alex McCallum is strong on the back end as well. Alex Coe and Nate Ewasek add depth scoring to the mix, and Northville is no ‘gimme game’ in the KLAA anymore either. 
Check out Petey’s Picks on Instagram for complete conference standings projections!