East Grand Rapids made Michigan high school hockey history last February, becoming the first team in state history to win a regular-season conference tournament. Yes, just like your B1G and Hockey East conferences in college hockey, the OK Conference — the largest in Michigan in terms of members with 16 teams across two divisions — completed a single-elimination, bracketed tournament to determine its 2024-25 conference champion. 

Early indications were a total success. 24 total games counting consolation contests, of which 13 were decided by just one goal, including each of the three games eventual champ EGR had to win en route to the inaugural title. So, is the conference tournament here to stay? Short answer: yes.

So what’s in store for Year 2 of the tournament? Well, the defending champion Pioneers are still strong, with Charles Finch back in net. Additionally, Guys like Bryce Bjornson and Trevor Bird should step into larger roles after the program graduated its top five scorers from a season ago. Caledonia returns its top goalie in Sam Hoag, as does Grandville with Ayden Karas. Both Mona Shores and Reeths-Puffer return their top contributors from a season ago, while Byron Center and Forest Hills Central reload the warchests. Jakob Aron for Grand Rapids Catholic Central. West Ottawa’s Krue Anderson. Grand Rapids Christian’s new co-op expansion. There is no shortage of storylines ahead of the season for teams in the OK Conference, but the one I like most is the Grandville Bulldogs.

“We’ll be back,” coach Joel Breazeale said with a smile after Grandville was eliminated in the Division-II state semifinal by eventual champion Flint Powers. We all say we’re gonna be back, but very few of us ever actually return. Breazeale’s comment wasn’t wishful thinking or an inspiring quote in an attempt to rally the troops. No, it was a statement of fact, and I believe him. His young Bulldogs team was appropriately an underdog to a top-ranked Powers team on the biggest stage the game has to offer. They went toe-to-toe with the champs, a junior in net making big saves and keeping his team in it. Underclassmen defensemen Lewis Gardine and Braden Vanderveen logged a ton of minutes, defending and corralling a high-powered offense. Landon Smith blocked shots and made the dirty plays. The bench was energetic and into it. The coaches had lines rolling and everyone contributing.

They ain’t pretty, but they are effective and they play for each other. This is a brand of hockey I can get behind. Last season wasn’t their time, but now, it just might be. Young guys like Smith and Gardine have grown and developed impressively playing in the Michigan Developmental Hockey League (MDHL) this past fall. Karas is poised to be a top goaltender in the state, heading into his senior season with 65 career games under his belt. Look out, because the Bulldogs may very well be heading back to Plymouth this coming March.

Last Season’s Champion: East Grand Rapids

The Pioneers have been a top dog in the OKC — and the state — for much of coach Chris Newton’s last seven seasons behind the bench. But East graduated a lot, including a top line that accounted for more than half of the team’s total offense. Finch back in net for his sophomore season should help steady the ship, but there’s a lot of holes to fill and it may take the Pioneers some time to regain their winning ways. 

Speaking of getting back on track, Byron Center took a slight step back last season, having its streak of six consecutive regional championships snapped and only winning 14 games (that’s meant to be facetious). Luke Goheen looked great this fall, as did other returners like Reid Glupker, Gordie Young and Dylan Kamminga. Year 2 as the starter for Quinn Sall should only get better too; he went 10-7-3 with a 2.17 goals-against average as a junior. The Bulldogs are in line for a big bounceback.

I mentioned Grandville. Also, Ben Mielock may be the best player in the conference for FHC. He could have a strong supporting cast in Jack Pierczynski and Elliott Fricano as well. There’s no free passes in the OKC this season. It’s deep, it’s talented, there’s plenty of star power and great coaches from Hudsonville’s Jason Caster to Tom Bissett at Forest Hills Northern-Eastern, and everyone in between.  

Returning Players to Watch

Luke Goheen, Byron Center Senior Forward

Fantastic this fall in the MDHL, with 10 goals and 23 points. I loved his energy and effort in all three zones. If Goheen’s game continues to grow and develop, he could be a real nice junior hockey prospect after graduation.

Ben Mielock, Forest Hills Central Senior Forward

He’s big, he’s strong, skates well and has next-level vision. Mielock’s hockey IQ is his best asset, feeling the flow of the game and distributing the puck to where it needs to go. He’s one of the best prospects in the game right now.

Landon Smith, Grandville Senior Forward

Wanna know what Grandville hockey’s identity is? Look no further than Smith. This guy does the little things that add up to big, game-changing plays. Blocked shots, 50-50 battles, mucking it up in the dirty areas. Everyone needs a guy like Smith in their lineup.

Connor Anderson, Reeths-Puffer Senior Defenseman

A steady presence on the blue line for the past two seasons for the Rockets. Anderson is consistent, effective and dependable; you know what you’re getting when you put him on the ice. Also capable of playing in all three phases of the game PP, PK and 5-on-5.

Lewis Gardine, Grandville Junior Defenseman

Couldn’t have finished last season on a higher note, playing a ton of minutes in the D-II state semifinal. By the end of Gardine’s sophomore season, he had cemented himself as a top D in the Class of 2027. He’s got a big frame and a ton of potential; this is a big year for him.

Sam Hoag, Caledonia Senior Goalie

There’s a ton of top-end returning goalies not just in the OKC but statewide in particular this season. Hoag is absolutely in the mix for top honors, putting up video game numbers last season with a sub-1.50 GAA and save percentage north of 95 percent. 

Petey’s Prediction: Grandville

There may not be anything harder in high school hockey than winning the OKC tournament. Think about it. East Grand Rapids had to win three games in five days, with the last two being against Top-25 teams. All of this happening just 72 hours after most of these teams competed at the Michigan Interscholastic Hockey League (MIHL) Showcase the weekend before. We’re talking your five biggest games of the regular season crammed into an eight-day span. 

It takes a certain type of team to survive that type of gauntlet, and I do believe this Grandville team has all the sandpaper necessary to win a tournament of this nature.

That’s not to say Caledonia won’t, or FHC is incapable, or that East won’t still factor into the equation. Byron Center, GRCC, Hell, FHNE is in line for a bounceback season after going just 8-13-3 last winter. 

Quite honestly, I have no idea how this season, much less the season-ending tournament will unfold in the OKC. There’s tons of parity, plenty of optimism and a whole lot of excitement for me around this conference and the upcoming season. We’re going to hear from the usual suspects like BC and EGR. Mielock will make a case for Dream Team and Mr. Hockey. But also, Caledonia will continue to climb the state ranks. Eli Habetler could put Mona Shores on the map. Hudsonville’s turnaround is only getting started. 

I’m going with Grandville, but I’m willing to hear an argument for as many as seven different programs winning an OKC championship this season. 

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