Howell has taken a backseat to cross-country rivals Hartland and Brighton for the better part of two decades, at least during my time in metro Detroit. Both the Eagles and Bulldogs have claimed multiple Kensington Lakes Activities Association (KLAA) titles as well as state championships and a bevy of playoff success in that span. 

Albeit, the Highlanders have won three regional championships in the past six seasons, and got back to the Division-I state final last March for the first time since 2010. Despite last season’s success, they’ve largely played in the shadows of their Livingston County brothers. However, Year 3 into the coach Keith Robertson era has Howell primed to be not just the best team in the county, or the KLAA, but the entire state.

It’d take a lot for anyone to assume the throne from the reigning, defending, six-times running D-I state champ Detroit Catholic Central — more on them in the MIHL Preview — but the Highlanders have assembled a pretty special group for the upcoming season. Luke Storm should be in the conversation for top forward prospect in Michigan. Same should be said of Chad Pietila on defense. They replaced last season’s Wall Award winner as best goalie in the state, Henry Lansky, with another former AAA prospect Chase Rayburn. 

I’m not saying Howell is definitively the best team in the state; I’m saying they should at least be in the conversation though as we sit here preseason. The last statement is more than I can say at present day about their “big” brothers Hartland and Brighton.

Records on the Michigan High School Hockey Hub go back 14 years. There is no sign of Howell finishing higher than second in its division in that span. That drought ends when they win KLAA West this winter, win the championship game over the East Division champ, and get back to the D-I state final in 2026.

Last Season’s Champion: Hartland

It’s a changing of the guard in Hartland after former coach Rick Gadwa stepped down, concluding his 14-year tenure behind the bench. He handed over the reins to longtime assistant coach John Brown this offseason. 

Brown will have his work cut out for him, replacing a 13-player graduating class that included two North American Hockey League (NAHL) prospects. Ian Evans is back for the Eagles though, and should instantly become the go-to guy in the offense. Goaltender Vinnie Sabala is back in net as well, and the program should welcome a wave of former AAA guys like Max Bogotaitis, Brayden Stephens and Ben Watripont. It’s a new day in Hartland but there’s still plenty to be excited about for the defending KLAA champs. 

Returning Players to Watch

Ian Evans, Hartland Senior Forward

A very well-rounded center with a complete, two-way game. Evans is special at this level, and as Eagles’ new No. 1 option, he could significantly build off of the 15 goals and 26 points he put up last season.

Tim Peterson, Brighton Junior Forward

The Bulldogs are young, and Peterson is too, for that matter as a 2009-born junior. He’s played 52 games at the varsity level though, and brings a ton of experience to help ease the transition for first-year guys like Emerson Bosak and Landen Hall who are expected to contribute.

Luke Storm, Howell Senior Forward

He’s fast, he’s big, he’s skilled… plus he’s fast (You said that already). Storm is a special talent that could garner a lot of attention for Mr. Hockey honors. Tender him, draft him, sign him. If you’re a junior team, you do whatever you gotta do to lock this kid up.

Chad Pietila, Howell Senior Defenseman

He plays on the edge, which may get Pietila in a little trouble at the varsity level but should set him up to thrive in junior hockey. He has great vision, moves pucks, covers a lot of ground and is a leader in the locker room. One of two returners from the 2025 Dream Team.

Colin Stroble, Livonia Stevenson Senior Defenseman

One of the better defensive defensemen in the state. Stroble is capable of producing offense — 57 points in 49 career games — but it’s his positioning, anticipation and ability to make the simple plays that resonates about his game the most. 

Vinnie Sabala, Hartland Senior Goalie

A compact goaltender who battles well and has good lateral movement. Sabala went 15-3-0 record with a .932 save percentage and 1.49 goals-against average in his first season with the Eagles. Replicating those numbers won’t be easy but he’s certainly capable of doing it again.

Petey’s Prediction: Howell

The Highlanders’ top five are the best in the state. Storm, Pietila, Marco Wolf, Bryce Eskola and Bryce Pietila are unmatched by anyone else ahead of the ‘25-26 season. The biggest questions for Howell will be goaltending and depth. I’m pretty confident in the addition of Rayburn in net, but Lansky left a pretty big hole upon graduation that anyone would have trouble filling. Then there’s guys like Bryce Pietila, Daniel Avery, Lincoln Frantti and Nolan Firek who could inherit much larger roles than what they’ve played in the past. Again, I believe they’re certainly capable but it’ll be a step up from last season. 

Brighton still feels a year away, with a 2027 Class that’s growing. Peterson, Mitchell Wysocki, Vince Walkup and Caden O’Toole should see huge strides in their development this winter. If that happens quicker than expected, the Bulldogs could become contenders late in the schedule. 

Tommy Marinoff for Northville. Novi’s Brady Chippa. I haven’t even touched on the KLAA East yet! There’s something to like about all these programs. 

Livonia Stevenson has had a stranglehold on the East, winning it each of the last seven seasons under former coach Dave Mitchell. Jay Thompson steps in for the first time this winter, though, and he’ll have 13 players from the Class of 2027 who went to the Division-II state final last March. Stevenson will be in good shape with Stroble, Dawson Wallis and Brendan Sise. But I do believe the rest of the East — Plymouth in particular — has a chance to close the gap and really contend for the top spot more so than years past. It ultimately may not matter, as I expect your KLAA champion to come out of the West Division yet again in 2026. 

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