For the first time in over a decade, the OK Conference feels wide open ahead of the ‘26-27 season. Look at the last several years. It was Caledonia last winter. Then East Grand Rapids going to the back-to-back Final Fours. Grandville before that. Then Forest Hills schools. The OKC has had a clear cut “favorite” or team to beat, for as long as I can remember. 

This winter, there’s plenty of star power littered across the conference, but I don’t get the sense that it’s consolidated so much with any one program to deem them a runaway favorite. In fact, the best team in West Michigan likely isn’t playing in the OKC at all. 

Lewis Gardine. Grandville.
Nolan Geno. Forest Hills North-Eastern.
Hayden Taylor. Reeths-Puffer
Gabe Supuk. Caledonia.
Gordie Young. Byron Center.
Cash Laufer. Grand Rapids Christian.

There’s a ton of talent here. I just don’t see an embarrassment of riches for any one particular program. From a competition standpoint, I think that’s exciting. Sixteen teams and as many as 10 or 11 of them have a legit shot at a divisional title.

Last Season’s Champion: Caledonia

The Scots won the second annual OKC conference tournament at the end of last season, with three wins in five days. The format has changed though, with the conference pivoting away from the season-ending event. While the conference tournament was wildly successful and entertaining, the grind of it all was less conducive, considering the timing of the event just one week before the MHSAA playoffs. 

So the format has changed, and Caledonia has graduated several of its key contributors. Yet, top prospects like Supuk, Bryce Mitchell and Evan Moore will absolutely keep the Scots in the OKC title hunt this winter. The challenge in repeating lies in what I mentioned earlier; spin the 16-team wheel of conference members and it seems like almost every program has pieces to rival the Scots’ big three. Repeating as conference champions will be significantly more challenging than last winter.

Returning Players to Watch

Krey Anderson, West Ottawa Senior Forward

A massive prospect, literally. Krey Anderson is physically imposing and that makes him an offensive threat. He scored 15 goals and 34 points as a junior, then was a top producer for Michigan Developmental Hockey League (MDHL) Green team this fall.

Theo Partridge, Grand Rapids Christian Senior Forward

Theo Partridge led the Eagles in scoring last season with 41 points. He’s been a major contributor for West-Michigan Varsity’s 18U White squad this fall as well. Partridge will be leaned upon heavily for GR Christian to turn things around this winter.

Hayden Taylor, Reeths-Puffer Senior Forward

The kid scores everywhere he goes. Hayden Taylor’s put up back-to-back 20-goal seasons, and is a point-per-game guy for MDHL Green over the span of two years. The time for a Muskegon school to make an OKC run may just be now, with Taylor leading the charge.

Lewis Gardine, Grandville Senior Defenseman

He’s big, he’s smooth, stout defensively and a great first-pass guy. Lewis Gardine is a well-rounded defender who’s capable of playing at a high level. He’s totaled 28 goals and 70 points over the course of his 81-game varsity career.

Gordie Young, Byron Center Senior Defenseman

Gordie Young has really taken off in the last 12 months. The three-year senior is 6-foot with a rangy reach, long stride and ability to occupy a ton of space. He’ll be a challenge for opponents to get around off the rush.

Ryder Owen, East Grand Rapids Junior Goalie

Posted a 1.81 goals-against average and 91.3 save percentage in his first season of varsity hockey. Ryder Owen and Charlie Finch are the best goalie tandem in the state ahead of the upcoming season. 

Petey’s Prediction: Grandville, Grand Rapids Catholic Central

I hate the next two paragraphs. I’d have a better chance throwing darts at a dartboard than outright picking the winners of the Fischer and Rue Divisions of the OKC. Easily the two most difficult selections of the preseason conference previews.

West Ottawa feels really good about its group. A lot of returners; Eli Bean and Krey Anderson have had fantastic fall seasons. Reeths-Puffer considers itself in that same boat as well with leading scorer Hayden Taylor back along with Rohan Moyer and Dom Switzer. Hudsonville, Grand Haven, Mona Shores all have players to be excited about as well. But even after graduating their top three scorers and goaltender from a season ago, the Bulldogs return one of the best defensemen in the state, along with a confident goal scorer in Owen Schroeder and a coaching staff that knows the formula for success. Gimme Grandville, but they may have multiple losses to Fischer Division opponents in the process.

If Grand Rapids Catholic Central wins the Rue Division, it’d be the program’s first title in seven years. The Cougars have a long way to go and a tough climb to get there, but second-year head coach Kyle Marchand has methodically crafted this roster to compete. The team is still extremely young — 2010-born forward Gage Potter returns as the team’s leading scorer — leading a large sophomore class. Seniors Parker Moore, Casey TenHarmsel and Noah Onstott anchor the Cougars in experience. “Why not us?” for GRCC and a program with a good mix, some sneaky depth and a field of opponents lacking a top threat.

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