The average amount of total goals scored in a typical Michigan high school hockey game is just over seven goals, according to last season’s data. In the South Central High School Hockey League (SCHSHL), however, offense is much harder to come by. In fact, in ‘23-24, the SCHSHL was the lowest-scoring league in the state, averaging just 5.47 goals per game. That’s not for lack of offensive talent or inability, but more due to impressive goaltending and remarkably sound defensive structure.

The SCHSHL — largest league in the state in terms of geographic area — has some fantastic coaching staffs that know how to chalk talk, diagram, implement and execute some stingy defenses. I played for and against, and have coached with and against, Cap City’s Joe Ford. He is one of the best hockey minds I’ve ever encountered at any level of the game. Drew Moffit from Portage and Mattawan’s Ben Miller are super sharp as well. This is a damn good league with damn good coaching. It ain’t easy to win in the South Central.

Last Season’s Champion: Jackson Lumen Christi

They gone! For the second time in 10 years, Jackson Lumen Christi has left the conference and joined the independent circuit of Michigan high school hockey. That move has left an unusual void at the top of the SCHSHL, as the defending league champ is no longer in the league. Every team in the league — including Lumen — lost multiple games last season; it was a wide open race to the top in’ 23-24 and should be much of the same this winter with the departure of the incumbent. I expect Cap City and Portage to be leading the pack, but Mattawan will be in the mix, and Eastside, Kalamazoo Eagles and Kalamazoo United will all be capable of competing on a nightly basis.

Returning Players to Watch

Brady Penny, Kalamazoo United Junior Forward 

A young Kalamazoo team was led by a young Penny last season. Both return this winter with a ton of experience, and both the team and Penny are in line to make a significant jump in’ 24-25. Pucks just seem to find him in the right places and he makes good things happen.

Chase Potter, Cap City Junior Forward

Might be the best all-around player in the SCHSHL, and a top junior forward in the state. Potter is positionally sound, defensively responsible and highly effective offensively. His 42 points led Cap City last season as a sophomore.

Cayden Stasienko, Portage Senior Forward

A candidate for the 100-point club in his fourth season of high school hockey. Stasienko has 87 career points entering the ‘24-25 season, and will likely be Portage’s go-to guy. If they win the league like I think they can, he’ll be a big reason for it.

Carson Mattern, Mattawan Senior Defenseman 

Really took his game to another level last season. Mattern Led the Wildcats in scoring from the back end, with a point shot that always seems to find its way through traffic. He’s got long reach, plays physical and is tough in the corners.

Toby Perrault, Cap City Junior Defenseman 

Looked so comfortable on the ice this fall. Perrault just flows all over the ice, maintaining good gaps, collecting pucks and moving them to teammates in total rhythm. There aren’t many 2008-born D-men in high school hockey as smooth as Perrault right now.

Owen Anderson, Kalamazoo Eagles Senior Goalie

Not a big kid in net, but always square and consistently sound on the initial shot. Anderson’s 5-9-0 record doesn’t tell the full story; he received just over two goals per game in run support last season. That leaves little margin for error. An improved Eagles team will lead to significantly improved results.

Petey’s Prediction: Portage

They return top forward Cayden Stasienko as well as a pair of juniors in net, with Lee LaPorte and Andrew Curry. The Muskie duo in goal both have sub-1.75 goals-against averages, which is a huge ace up the sleeve in a league like the SCHSHL. Now, I already highlighted Kalamazoo’s Owen Anderson and Cap City is expected to have strong goaltending as well. So that position may be a wash amongst top contenders for the title. But Stasienko and company could be just enough to replace Lumen at the top of this league. 

BONUS HOT TAKE ALERT: Kalamazoo United ain’t finishing last in the SCHSHL. They only won one league game last season, and have been last place in the league five of the last six seasons. They were a young team in ‘23-24 that got a program-building win over rival Kalamazoo Eagles, and lost six games by two goals or fewer. This is a different KU team. I’ve got them coming in strong this season, returning as many as 20 skaters, of which 15 are still underclassmen. 

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