Tri-Valley’s defensive trio makes the Thunder top contenders in conference play

For the first time, the Mid-Michigan Hockey Conference (MMHC) championship was shared. After both the Tri-Valley Thunder and ETA Legion finished with 6-2-0 records in conference play — trading losses to each other — the top two teams earned a share of the ‘25-26 title. While two of the five member teams claimed a share of the conference championship, it was actually FNV representing the MMHC in the state playoffs. In fact, the Griffins advanced to the MHSAA Division-III state tournament rounds after winning a regional title; the first program in the conference to do so since 2016, and the first for the co-op since Saginaw Nouvel was a standalone program back in 1992. 

The MMHC may be small; with just five member teams it is the smallest in terms of number of teams in the entire state. Yet, the group has shown its might in recent years with FNV’s latest playoff success coupled with all five teams finishing the ‘25-26 season with 12 wins or more. That, in addition to prospects like senior defenseman Jake Rau, who represented himself and Tri-Valley last spring as a member of Team Michigan. 

Last Season’s Champion: Tri-Valley and ETA Legion

Led by Rau and fellow standout defenseman Max Miller, Tri-Valley climbed as high as 61st in the state last season according to MyHockeyRankings. The pair returns to the blue line, as does junior goalie Hunter Swint. Rau and Miller combined for nine points in those two games against ETA, while Swint split his pair of starts. The Legion are coming off of their most successful season to date, after earning a share of the conference’s top spot. But staying there may prove to be a challenge after graduating its top two scorers from a season ago. Can Blake Bowerman prove to be as impactful now that he’s ETA’s top guy? Time will tell, but secondary options like Coleman Bund, Stosh Bertovich and Easton Tank will certainly be called upon to play much larger roles than they did a winter ago.

Returning Players to Watch

Blake Bowerman, ETA Legion Forward

We’ll see what Blake Bowerman is made of after both of his line mates graduated last spring. He scored 14 goals and 50 points playing in the shadow of brother Peyton Bowerman and Chase Talaski. Now, it all falls on Bowerman and a young Legion team.

Jackson Horn, FNV Senior Forward

It took Jackson Horn 23 games before finally recording his first varsity point. Once he did, though, he didn’t stop. The senior forward had point streaks last season of four games — or more — on three separate occasions, totaling 36 points in 26 games. Should be in line for an even bigger role this winter.

Luke Watz, FNV Senior Forward

Exploded for 64 points last season as a junior; more than five times his output the prior season. Luke Watz was the only MMHC prospect to compete in the Michigan Developmental Hockey League (MDHL) this fall, where he’s scored four points in eight games.

Max Miller, Tri-Valley Senior Defenseman

Teammate Jake Rau draws a lot of the highlights, but let’s not forget Max Miller is coming off of back-to-back 30-point seasons as well. This blue line tandem is one of the most productive in the state, combining to contribute 74 percent of the team’s total offense last season.

Jake Rau, Tri-Valley Senior Defenseman

Just five points shy of the century mark, Jake Rau would become just the 24th defenseman in Michigan high school hockey history to reach the 100-point plateau in his varsity career. Four years of varsity hockey, Team Michigan alum, Michigan Hockey Advancement trained; Rau has as decorated of a resume as anyone in high school hockey right now.

Hunter Swint, Tri-Valley Junior Goalie

Nobody in the MMHC won more games in net last season than Hunter Swint. A 14-10-0 record overall last season but 6-2-0 in conference play. With an experienced tandem in front of him, Swint could be in line to dominate the MMHC once again.

Petey’s Prediction: Tri-Valley Thunder

Typically, teams that rely on defensemen to be their top scoring threats prove to be boom or bust. On one hand, they log a lot of minutes and are constantly on the ice involved in the game. On the other hand, those threats can be easier for opponents to contain, identify and shut down. Statewide, where teams have more depth, I could see this being more of a problem for Tri-Valley’s Rau and Miller. In conference? The Thunder should roll to a third straight MMHC title because I just don’t know that any other team has the firepower to match. Plus, While Hunter Swint didn’t put up impressive numbers last season, he does have something not many others in the conference have: experience. The 16-year-old goalie played in all 25 games for TVT last season; no other returning goalie played more than 14 last season.

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