Only two teams have won more games in the last three seasons than Grosse Ile (65); Detroit Catholic Central (86) and Flint Powers (67). The Red Devils have won 20 or more games three seasons in a row, making them one of just five programs in Michigan high school hockey to do so since the ‘22-23 season. In that span, they’ve won two Metro League West Division championships. With key returners like Adalar Hovis, Colten Dwarzski and Braden Chessor, Grosse Ile could be poised to extend its streak of 20-win seasons as well as another division championship one more time this winter as well.

In the midst of all the wins and league success the Red Devils have achieved during this recent run, they’ve never ranked higher than 50th in the state according to MyHockeyRankings. And, just a 2-3 record in the state tournament, eliminated each time at the regional level. For Hovis and company, the next step in the process should be statewide success. Four of the team’s last eight losses have come against opponents outside the 12-team Metro League, and their strength of schedule has ranked in the bottom third of the state each of the last three seasons. They’ve done everything there is to do as far as the Metro is concerned; focus now should be on bolstering the non-league slate and putting together strong showings against top teams.

With players like Dwarzski making Team Michigan last April and Hovis having a strong showing this fall, the Red Devils’ top guys are taking the right steps towards moving the needle for the program. The same could be said about University Liggett and Ann Arbor Pioneer; two other strong contenders this season. 

Last season’s East Division champion, University Liggett, returns its top two scorers from a season ago. Nick Gould, Luke Slanec and Ryan Cordaro were standouts this fall for the Tier-2 St. Clair Shores Saints. Pioneer is set to add plenty of AAA talent to a lineup heavy on returning players as well.

Last Season’s Champion: University Liggett, Grosse Ile

Two-thirds of Liggett’s top scoring line returns from a season ago, with Gould and Griffin Marchal back in a Knights jersey. They went 6-1-1 in East Division action last season and I expect them once again to be the front-runner this time around as well. But the Yellowjackets of Country Day remain a pest in the Metro, despite finishing below .500 each of the last two seasons. They graduated just three seniors last spring and could return a 2026 class that consists of as many as 10 players. Coach Frank Novock had this group one win away from tying Liggett for the East Division championship last season, and should come back as even more of a threat to do so this time around as well.

Pioneer poses a real problem in the West Division, and will likely be Grosse Ile’s biggest threat for the top spot. But Divine Child earned a series split with Grosse Ile last season too, and the only blemish on the Red Devils’ divisional record. Leading scorer Braeden McNamara has since graduated, but Brody McNamara is poised to carry the torch for the Falcons, having scored 66 career points at the varsity level playing behind his older brother. Additionally, Kole Boike scored 31 goals as a freshman and classmate Cullen McGowan added 37 points from the blue line as well. Divine Child could still be a year or so away from a real run with these young guys, but moving from the West to the East Division could open things up for them earlier than expected.

And don’t forget about Wyandotte. They won’t be deep, but Ethan Ivity and Cam Roe are a strong duo on the back end. Not to mention, Eli Harrell scored 44 goals in 22 games last season and is back as well. They could very well finish behind Grosse Ile, Pioneer and Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard in the standings, but Wyandotte could certainly make things messy with a few upsets this season.

Returning Players to Watch

Nick Gould, University Liggett Senior Forward

Gould started last season on an eight-game point streak and ended on one too. He has a tendency to be streaky, with 43 career points for the Knights in two seasons. If he gets hot, he could stay hot for a Liggett team poised to win a lot of games this winter.

Adalar Hovis, Grosse Ile Junior Forward

Hovis is seventh among active skaters in Michigan high school hockey with 110 career points… and he’s only at the halfway point of his varsity career. His game continues to improve year-over-year too, which is exciting. Expect another jump in his development this winter.

Max Khomutin, Ann Arbor Pioneer Senior Forward

Twenty-one of his 35 points last season came in non-SEC games. That speaks to how well Khomutin stacks up against competition from around the state. If the Pioneers are to have the success I expect them to, he’ll certainly be a big reason for it.

Colten Dwarzski, Grosse Ile Senior Defenseman

A real strong showing at the Team Michigan Festival last March put Dwarzski and Grosse Ile on the map. He finished his junior year with 49 points in 24 games, and an encore performance this season could really continue moving the needle for the Red Devils program.

Ethan Ivity, Wyandotte Junior Defenseman

He’s 6-foot-8, skates well and handles pucks. The intangibles are there for Ivity, but how does he hold up when the competition picks up? Keep an eye on him and Wyandotte’s other top guys in matchups against top Metro teams and other statewide opponents. 

Bonner Upshaw, Country Day Senior Goalie

He started last season 1-7-0, but Bonner ended his junior year on a 7-1-1 run and was a big reason for Country Day turning the corner in ‘24-25. The Yellowjackets have had a few tough seasons but I think the pendulum swings back the other way this winter and Upshaw has a lot to do with it.

Petey’s Prediction: Detroit Country Day, Ann Arbor Pioneer

I had Liggett slated to defend its East Division title right up until publishing, but switched last minute to DCD. The Knights should be your odds-on favorite, especially considering their top duo is coming back and the improvements made by the 10 expected returners. But the Jackets have a wealth of returners as well, and I think something finally clicked with coach Novock’s group in late January. A strong finish to ‘24-25, a committed offseason and as many as 19 returners. I haven’t talked myself into just changing my pick for division champ, I’m buying DCD as a statewide contender!

On the other side, Grosse Ile has had a stranglehold of the top spot during its recent run. I like the Red Devils to win a boatload of games again this winter, but there’s too many chances to slip up as far as divisional play is concerned. I like Pioneer a lot this season, and both Wyandotte and FGR should be capable of upsets if the conditions are right. Things could break right for first-year coach Scott Sebastian, and the team three-peats as West Division champs. However, the sky could fall as well if Pio’s AAA prospects are as good as advertised and a young FGR team fast-tracks its development path, plummeting the reigning champs to as low as third place. I think we ultimately end up somewhere in between and the top half looks something like Pioneer, Grosse Ile and FGR in order. 

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