He was a second-team guy for Michigan Hockey Advancement (MHA) each of the last two fall seasons, playing for 16U Grey and 18U Navy. He put up respectable numbers for Alpena hockey as well, with 34 points as a sophomore and 47 points last winter as a junior. On paper, Gavin Winterstein’s hockey resume was respectable, above average, nice, even. Common for Michigan high school hockey prospects with a solid skill set. 

But when he showed up to the El Paso Rhinos’ pre-draft camp in Michigan this past offseason, Winterstein caught the attention of scouts and coaches alike. His work ethic, grit, hard-nosed style and willingness to compete checked all the boxes this NAHL staff was looking for. From the pre-draft camp, Winterstein earned an invite to the Rhinos main camp later this the summer. He continued battling for a roster spot alongside 180 other prospects. After surviving that, he moved on to training camp where the competition continued between 30 or so prospects vying for a roster spot. It went all the way up until the NAHL Showcase in Blaine, Minnesota; the final days of the evaluation process, before Winterstein was released, narrowly missing a spot in the lineup.

Winterstein wasn’t a Team Michigan guy last spring, and didn’t make a top MHA team until last month. I highlight his journey in pursuit of junior hockey because there’s only one Ayden Cook in high school hockey; there’s dozens of Gavin Wintersteins. 

What separates him as a junior hockey prospect though, is the desire and hunger in pursuit of playing at the next level. He’s been told ‘no’ a lot throughout his varsity career and that he ‘wasn’t good enough’ for this team or that team. Yet, Winterstein kept battling, kept believing in himself, didn’t play the ‘woe is me’ routine. I encourage every prospect in the game today to learn from his offseason. Don’t harbor resentment because you got cut. Don’t throw a pity party. Don’t think because you put up points that someone’s gonna want ya. Work hard, get better, and good things will happen.

While junior hockey may have to wait another year for Winterstein, we here in the high school hockey circles will certainly celebrate his return to Alpena. The four-year senior will provide a significant boost to the reigning Big North Conference champions, making them the odds-on favorite to defend their title as well as strong contenders in the state tournament later on this season. 

Last Season’s Champion: Alpena

Winterstein led the Wildcats in scoring last season, feeding off of a formidable duo playing with standout senior Garrett Hamp. The two combined for 46 goals and 89 points in ‘24-25, but Hamp has since graduated. Can guys like Clark Weir, Trevor Worth and Ethan Walker step up to provide offensive support? 

As good as the Wildcats were, they dropped both games head-to-head with Petoskey last season; a team that finished just one win behind Alpena in the Big North standings. The Northmen only graduated five last spring, and should return their top five goal scorers from a season ago, as well as goaltender Nick Timm. Petoskey ain’t fading from the Big North picture, and neither will Traverse City West or Traverse City Central. Drew Charland may be the best player in the conference, playing for the Titans, and there’s a whole gaggle of Trojan forwards returning this season for coach Chris Givens as well.

The Big North Conference could truly be wide open, even with the return of Winterstein to Alpena.

Returning Players to Watch

Madden Pateman, Petoskey Junior Forward

Pateman finished last season with 21 goals and 32 points as a sophomore, helping Petoskey to a 16-win season and a Division-III regional title. Both he, and the Northmen should have their sights set even higher this winter.

Blake Weaver, Traverse City Central Junior Forward

Maybe the Trojans’ most dangerous offensive threat, coming off of a 11-goal, 25-point sophomore campaign. I expect Weaver to take a big jump in his development and separate himself as a top forward in the Big North this winter.

Gavin Winterstein, Alpena Senior Forward

He’s big. He’s strong. He’s got puck skills and he’s heavy to play against. Winterstein has made huge strides in his development this offseason and is in line for a monster senior season for the Wildcats. Put him on your statewide watchlists.

Drew Charland, Traverse City West Senior Defenseman

Started to connect the dots in the second half of last season, and then really saw tremendous growth in his game this fall. Twenty-two of Charland’s 32 points came after the New Year. He made Team Michigan in the spring, and then excelled in the Michigan Developmental Hockey League (MDHL) this fall. 

Ethan Walker, Alpena Junior Defenseman

Walker is a promising defender that the Wildcats can lean on as a building block for the program. He’s at the halfway point of his varsity career with 50 games and 36 points. He has the skill to grow into a real nice prospect.

Nick Timm, Petoskey Senior Goalie

He’s the most experienced goaltender in the Big North, with 46 games played in three seasons. Timm made 30 or more saves in nine of his 18 starts as a junior, proving to be a tough goalie for shooters to solve when he’s on top of his game.

Petey’s Prediction: Alpena

The Big North was set to be a crapshoot this season, with the top spot being anyone’s to take. Winterstein returning to Alpena certainly makes them the front runner, but a case could still be made for a number of teams to climb the rankings. The duo of Patemen and Anderson Ward managed to sweep Alpena in a pair of BNC games last season. TC Central took the Wildcats to overtime in a pair of one-goal losses, and TC West may have the best player in the conference. All it takes is one of those teams to cause a slip up by odds-on favorite Alpena, and the race could be wide open. 

They may have to go wire-to-wire with a perfect record, but the ‘cats are certainly capable of defending their title as conference champs this season. 

Check out Petey’s Picks on Instagram for complete conference standings projections!