It’s hard to believe Michigan high school hockey without the Kensington Lakes Activities Association (KLAA). Livonia schools officially left this summer. Novi and Northville are going east next year; Livingston County schools going south. This is a classic case of administrative decisions being made without hockey in mind. 

Life will go on. It’s not as if the Howell’s, Hartland’s, Salem’s and Plymouth’s of the high school hockey world will disappear. But in the midst of conference realignment, one of the best conferences in all of hockey will become a casualty of the cause. 

The ‘26-27 season marks the end of the KLAA, with eight programs vying for one last conference title. In a season where top dogs Brighton, Hartland and Howell don’t appear to be as imposing as years past, the KLAA’s swan song could ironically prove to be the conference’s most competitive. 

Last Season’s Champion: Livonia Stevenson, Howell

East Division champion Livonia Stevenson no longer remains with the KLAA. The three remaining programs in the Division have been absorbed into one conference of all eight teams, playing every opponent twice in a home-and-home series. 

Howell, as defending West Division champions, will look for its third consecutive KLAA title. While the Highlanders return Lincoln Frantti and Bryce Pietila, the losses of their top four scorers and starting goalie will be difficult to overcome. All of that in the midst of two of the biggest rivalries in high school hockey, going up against cross-county rivals Brighton and Hartland. Both KLAA matchups were decided by just one goal last season, and I’d argue both the Bulldogs and the Eagles return with more firepower than the defending champion. Northville, Novi and the park schools serve as land mines among the field of teams as well. Have an off night in a mid-week game and they just might hand you a costly, unexpected loss in the standings.

Returning Players to Watch

Bryce Fletemeier, Hartland Senior Forward

A dangerous scorer who was second on the team last season with 15 goals. Bryce Fletemeier doubled down by leading Michigan Hockey Advancement (MHA) 18U Red with 22 goals and 36 points this fall. 

Bryce Pietila, Howell Junior Forward

Arguably the best prospect in the Class of 2028. Bryce Pietila is a complete player with a 200-foot game, with equal parts offensive creativity and defensive knowledge. His role in the Highlanders offense is going to grow exponentially in Year 3.

Will Schley, Canton Senior Forward

Will Schley is fun to watch at top speed, and will be incredibly difficult to stop for opposing defenses. He’s put up back-to-back 50-point seasons, and now that he’s 6-foot-3 and 170 lbs, Schley may be unstoppable as a senior.

Daniel Avery, Howell Junior Defenseman

A real good puck mover who impacts the game in all three phases for Howell. Daniel Avery stands to absorb a much larger role in the offense after the graduation of former top D-man Chad Pietila. 

Vince Walkup, Brighton Senior Defenseman

He did something no other Brighton defenseman has done in 20-plus years, leading the team in points last season as a junior. Vince Walkup returns looking to lead the Bulldogs to their first Division-I Final Four during his three years with the program. 

Carter Nissen, Northville Senior Goalie

He split work last season going 9-2-0 in 13 games. Entering his senior season as the guy, Carter Nissen could be in line for a breakout campaign. Few teams in the KLAA return goalies of Nissen’s stature, so he just might give the Mustangs the boost they need as underdogs in the conference.

Petey’s Prediction: Hartland

The Eagles look to have real good depth. Fletemeier, Braelon Rodriguez, Zavier Sarcevich and Brady Oumedian provide high-end scoring while Drake Callanan and others load the lineup with depth. Biggest question for me is goaltending, after the graduation of two-year starter Vinny Sabala. The position at large is a bit of an unknown as Howell and Brighton break in new goaltenders while Northville, Novi and others hope for young guys to take the next step in their development. 

Howell’s Pietila is one year away from being the best player in the state, but who’s to say his path doesn’t get fast tracked and he dominates the KLAA alongside Frantti? Speaking of top prospects, Schley may very well have more tools to his game than anyone else, considering his size, skating and play-making ability. The Cobras won’t have the depth that others have around the conference, but I fully expect their top line to be as good as anyone in hockey this season. 

Brighton’s Class of 2028 is another year older and more experienced. Northville coming off of a State Finals appearance. For the first time ever, the KLAA is wide open. At least the conference’s encore performance is shaping up to be its best one.

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