No, it’s not a typo. Yes, you read that headline correctly. Rochester United enters the ‘26-27 season as a favorite to win Michigan high school hockey’s Division-II state title. The usual suspects remain — Flint Powers, Livonia Stevenson, Trenton, Brother Rice — but the reigning Oakland Activities Association (OAA) Red Division champion may be the most loaded team of the bunch.

Three-year senior Nolan Hizer may just be the best prospect in the state. Zach Brennan, Connor Cichocki and Ethan Haselhuhn are all back as well. Each of those four skaters scored 10-plus goals and 25 or more points apiece last season. Dylan Turnbull, Nathan Heitchue and Anthony Belloli are in line to take the next step in their development too. And, Brayden Buckler is back from a one-year stint in the AAA world; he scored 19 goals and 40 points as a sophomore two years ago. 

An OAA team hasn’t won a state title since 2014 (Farmington), so it would very much be historic for RU to make such a run this winter. But I believe the resources are there, the talent has been developed over years and the coaching is on point. If ever there was a year for an OAA team to make a run at it, it’s now.

Last Season’s Champion: Rochester United, Troy United

Only three teams in the state won more games than Troy United last season. After a loss to Utica Unified on opening weekend, Troy went on a 24-game win streak that began on November 14th before falling once again to Utica Unified 6-5 in overtime of the opening round of the Division-I state playoffs in late February. 

The schedule was favorable — ranked outside the Top 25 — and the program graduated 13 seniors off that squad. It will be an uphill climb this winter for Troy to replicate last season’s success, especially when factoring in the OAA’s move from two divisions of five to one division of eight teams. Farmington United moved to the Lakes Valley Conference (LVC) and Oxford-Avondale’s program co-opped with Lake Orion; those two moves changed the OAA landscape from 10 programs down to eight. 

Returning Players to Watch

Cole Chmielewski, Stoney Creek Senior Forward

Put himself on the map last March with a big showing at Team Michigan tryouts. This coming after Cole Chmielewski scored 32 goals and 73 points as a junior. He enters this winter as one of the top prospects in the state, not just the OAA. 

Ethan Haselhuhn, Rochester United Senior Forward

A four-year senior whose taken huge strides in his development every year. Look for Ethan Haselhuhn to continue that growth, showcasing his physical presence on the ice, and a heavy shot that’s generated 26 career goals. 

Nolan Hizer, Rochester United Senior Forward

Arguably the best prospect in high school hockey this season. Nolan Hizer plays at top speed all the time, capable of carving his way through defenders, creating opportunities all by himself or playing off his line mates to generate scoring chances.

Giorgios Kokalas, Stoney Creek Senior Defenseman

Giorgios Kokalas is a four-year letterman for the Cougars, having scored 10-plus points every season of his career. He’s pivotal to the team’s success; Stoney Creek had a 15-4-0 record when Kokalas records a point and just 4-5-0 when he doesn’t. 

Mike Swader, Clarkston Junior Defenseman

A talented defender with a well-rounded skill set capable of playing in all facets of the game. Mike Swader played a significant role in the Wolves’ lineup last season as a sophomore and that will only expand as his career continues.

Jagger Kimber, Oxford-Orion Senior Goalie

Jagger Kimber didn’t get much run support from the eight-win Lake Orion squad last season that averaged just 2.19 goals scored per game. Co-opping with Oxford should help bolster the lineup a bit, in front of Kimber who should keep O2 in close games most of the season.

Petey’s Prediction: Rochester United

There’s a scenario where RU does in fact win a D-II state title, but loses the OAA. With the conference’s shift from two divisions to just one, and a format where every team plays each other just once, everything gets magnified. The OAA champion should come down to the RU-versus-Stoney Creek cross-town rivalry. A spirited matchup that’s already intense, coupled with the fact that an OAA championship may be on the line? Anything can happen. Previous years, these two teams clashed twice a season with the overall record being deadlocked at 3-3-2 over the last four seasons. Now, everything comes down to just one game and one game only?? The Cougars are stacked as well. Leading scorer Cole Chmielewski has proved to be a top prospect in high school hockey. Four-year senior and top D-man Giorgios Kokalas is back. Jordan Stanley — who was all-state as a freshman — returns to the program after a two-year hiatus as well. 

When these two teams clash, there will be much more on the line than the Kurt Scipione Cup.

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