Andrew Partipilo is a four-year starting goaltender for Midland. He’s played a minimum of 17 games each of the last three seasons. During that time, the Chemics have hovered around .500 overall. However, could his senior year be the year Midland breaks out? This is a program that’s won 18 games and 19 games in consecutive seasons back in ‘21-22 and ‘22-23. With Partipilo back between the pipes, as are returning scorers Rusty Boyle and Tucker Spaulding up front, there’s a chance the Chemics could once again stockpile wins this winter.

Cross-town rival Midland Dow sits in a similar boat though. Bay City boasts a top line of its own, led by Kaid DuRussel. And, reigning Saginaw Valley League (SVL) champion Flint Powers returns 10 players from last season too. So Midland’s path to 18-plus wins is by no means easy, and I don’t expect them to win the league championship. But coach Steve Witt has a group to be excited about this winter that could make its presence felt across the state.

Last Season’s Champion: Flint Powers

2026 Mr. Hockey recipient Ayden Cook ain’t walking through the Chargers’ locker room door. Neither are Parker Bendall, Andon Harwood or Hunter Clark; key pillars in the program that helped Powers win back-to-back Division-II state titles. But, top prospect Owen Perry — who has 156 career points — enters the back half of his varsity career, looking to take the reins and keep the Chargers’ run going.

Between Perry, Julian Meyer, Sam Beebe, Chase Stevens, Ethan Haley… The cupboard is far from bare. The schedule appears to be a bit lighter than year’s past as well, so Powers is positioned to not only win the SVL once again, but win 20-plus games and contend for the D-II state title once more. It may be harder than the two previous trips but still very much attainable. 

Returning Players to Watch

Owen Perry, Flint Powers Junior Forward

Big shoes to fill in the absence of Ayden Cook, but Owen Perry is positioned to carry the load. He’s posted back-to-back 60-point seasons and is more than ready to be the focal point of a varsity team’s offense. 

Rusty Boyle, Midland Senior Forward

Led the Chemics in scoring last season, and with the majority of his supporting cast — Spaulding, Pittsley, Partipilo — returning, Rusty Boyle just might do it again. He also led split-season Bay County Blizzard in scoring this fall as well.

Danny Gabriel, Midland Dow Senior Forward

Took a huge step in his growth last season becoming a point-per-game guy for the first time in his varsity career. Danny Gabriel scored 11 goals and 28 points as a junior, establishing himself as a major contributor for the Chargers.

Trent Gilbert, Mid-Michigan Senior Defenseman

I want so badly for this kid to stay healthy this season so the rest of the league and the state can see what he’s capable of. Trent Gilbert is a big-bodied defender with a long reach and willingness to engage below the goal line. I’m excited about his potential.

Julian Meyer, Flint Powers Senior Defenseman

The top minute man for Powers last season on the blue line, scoring seven goals and 47 points for the eventual state champs. He doesn’t have to score to impact the game, but Meyer can score in bunches having produced 13 multi-point games.

Andrew Partipilo, Midland Senior Goalie

Andrew Partipilo has had a really productive offseason. He was one of the final cuts for Team Michigan consideration last spring, and then made the Michigan Developmental Hockey League (MDHL) for a second consecutive season. Let’s see how it pays off this winter.

Petey’s Prediction: Flint Powers

Some may say Powers doesn’t have the depth it had like the previous two seasons. Even so, they’ll still be a full line deeper than anyone else in the SVL. They’ll be the runaway favorites once again but the race for second place is highly intriguing. I like Midland to win a bunch of games, but the Danny Gabriel, Evan Nicholas and Caden Hill make Dow a competitive bunch. Saginaw Heritage was a supremely young team last winter, with four of the top five scorers set to return, along with Landon Hayward in net. Bay City lost a lot by way of graduation and junior hockey, but all of the aforementioned teams return their top scorer from a season ago. I’ve never seen anything like it. I don’t expect any of them to contend for the top spot, but I do expect all of them to be in the hunt for a very competitive second place finish.

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