The 10-team Oakland Activities Association (OAA) is one of the more diverse in Michigan High School Hockey. A legitimate state title caliber program in Clarkston. A carousel of contenders in M-1 United, Stoney Creek and Lake Orion in recent years. On-the-rise type programs such as Birmingham Unified, Farmington United and Bloomfield Hills. Rebuilders like Rochester United, North Oakland And Troy United. You can’t take a 25-team snapshot of the statewide rankings without seeing at least one OAA member. This unique dynamic collection of teams is not seen in many other associations, leagues or conferences around the state.

The Red Division is considered the upper portion of the OAA, where its top tier teams compete. The remaining five programs battle it out in the White Division. Rochester United, after going 0-9-1 last season, has dropped down to the White Division for the upcoming season. That move balances out the two divisions with five programs apiece.

Last Season’s Champion: Clarkston, Bloomfield Hills

A 5-4 loss to Farmington United in January kept Bloomfield Hills from sweeping the White Division last season. On top of that, the Black Hawks pulled off two wins against Red Division foes as well, putting a stamp on their White division championship. Three of their top four scorers should be back this season, same with junior goaltender Rocco Colosimo. The 6-foot-6 dual-sport athlete played in 24 of the team’s 25 games last season. Preston Lumberg, Jordan Newman and Dominik Dostal accounted for 42 percent of the team’s total offense too. Expect the Black Hawks to be a factor in the White Division yet again.

Clarkston graduated elite contributors Owen Croston and Evan Adams, and leading scorer Ron Wade has embarked on his junior hockey career. Despite all those losses, the Wolves seemingly reload with guys like Kyle Lynch, Gavin Anderson and Trey Damian. That trio of skaters were significant contributors on last season’s Final Four team, and will likely play even larger roles this winter. Not to mention, Brady Damian is back in net as well. There are very few programs in the state who can lose what the Wolves lost, and come back the following year as a state title contender again. Coach Nathan Bryer has built this program for sustained success, making them one of the modern era’s blue bloods of high school hockey.

Returning Players to Watch

Christian Gojcaj, Stoney Creek Senior Forward

Decent puck skills coupled with good effort on the play. Gojcaj was a point-per-game guy for the Cougars in his third season with the program. Year Four should be his best yet, and similarly, Stoney Creek’s best during his tenure as well.

Kyle Lynch, Clarkston Senior Forward

Didn’t garner much of the headlines or attention last season, but that will certainly change in ‘24-25. Lynch is easily one of my favorite players entering his senior year. He has a full 200-foot game, does all the little things right and plays at a fast pace. 

Charlie Price, M-1 United Senior Forward

I would encourage everyone in Michigan high school hockey to follow the Charlie Price development blueprint. He’s a four-year varsity guy who’s done all of the spring and summer programs that the game has to offer and has really built a robust resume as a junior hockey prospect.

Brady Brink, Farmington United Junior Defenseman

A 100-point club candidate entering his junior season; Brink has 82 career points from the back end for Farmington United. He’s been a huge part of the program’s recent turnaround and that trend should continue this winter.

Trey Damian, Clarkston Senior Defenseman

A preseason candidate for defenseman of the year, Damian should be in the conversation as one of the best in the state. He’s offensive minded, smooth with the puck and plays with a bit of an edge from the back end. One of the more attention grabbing players on a team full of studs. 

Brady Damian, Clarkston Junior Goalie

He was the best goalie in the association last season as a sophomore and has only gotten better this offseason. Damian is a calming presence in net who posted a 1.93 goals-against average while playing one of the toughest schedules in the state. 

Petey’s Prediction: Clarkston, Rochester United

I’ve spent a lot of ink on Clarkston already, so I’ll keep it brief as I expect them to dominate OAA Red yet again this season. But M-1 United could be very interesting with three of its top four scorers returning. They are a scrappy, work-hard, “gritty” type team that can make games messy for their opponents. 

Stoney Creek should be a prettier team to watch with playmakers like Christian Gojcaj. They may have the skill to compete with Top-25 teams but can they balance the free-flowing creative plays with solid, responsible D-zone coverage? A team goals-against average of 3.32 last season isn’t good enough to cut it in the OAA, much less the top third of teams in the state. Cougars can be contenders here if the defense improves.

There may be a ton of new faces who make an immediate impact on the Rochester United roster this winter. After going 0-9-1 in the Red Division last season, RU may be the early favorite to win the White Division on the heels of a strong offseason. I also expect Farmington United’s rebuild to continue gaining momentum. They won 13 games last season, just two years removed from a 23-loss campaign. The progress should continue under first-year head coach Joe Dragotta, who inherits cornerstone contributors like Brady Brink, Owen Sims, Curtis Kent and Anderson Palmer — all of whom scored double-digit goals last season.

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