Just three short seasons ago, Dexter ranked 112th out of 130 Michigan high school hockey programs in the state, with a 7-19-1 record. That was coach Kenny Grundy’s first season on the bench with the Dreadnaughts. Just 12 months later, Grundy flipped the Dreads into a 21-win season and a share of the SEC White Division championship for the first time in program history. Fluke, right? Flash in the pan, yea? WRONG. Led by top scorer Jeremy Schroeder, Dexter once again climbed to the top of the SEC last winter, this time winning the Division outright.

Okay, okay, but seniors like Schroeder and Cam Enyedy have gone and graduated, so the fun run is over? WRONG again. 

Grundy is building something sustainable in Dexter, and players are buying in. Jacob Joffe scored 54 points as a first-year sophomore. Senior Jack Dubuque added 40 more points to the mix, and Ben Waddington chipped in 20 points from the blue line. In fact, the team only graduated three seniors last season and 11 of the team’s top 13 scorers could all be back this winter. All of this in addition to four-year senior goalie Elliott Hamlin and his 52 career appearances. Forget SEC championships, Dexter’s equipped to contend for statewide hardware! 

Last Season’s Champion: Dexter, Saline

Two third-period goals lifted Saline past Dexter 3-2 in the two teams’ lone meeting last season. It wasn’t the SEC championship game, but in hindsight, we’ll score it that way. The Hornets graduated a ton though, losing top scorers Antonio Giacalone and Wyatt Church, as well as goaltender Jack Derksen by way of graduation. Saline will have its work cut out if repeating as SEC champs is the goal. With Ann Arbor Skyline and Ann Arbor Huron combining into one program, there’s even fewer teams standing in the Dreads’ way of a third conference title.

Players to Watch

Granger Conley, SkyRon Junior Forward

With 17 goals and 28 points last season as a sophomore, Granger Conley led Ann Arbor Huron in scoring. Now he’s joined by Skyline contributors like Isaiah Garcia and Ben Begosso. Conley could be in line for a breakout year.

Jacob Joffe, Dexter Junior Forward

Exploded for 17 goals and 54 points as a sophomore in a secondary scoring role. Now, Jacob Joffe is the go-to guy in a Dexter offense that could score a bunch of goals and win a ton of games this winter. 

Briggs Kern, Lenawee United Junior Forward

The 2010-born prospect finished third in the SEC in scoring with 40 goals and 64 points. Briggs Kern lost his running-mate after Cameron Mahony graduated last spring, so there’s plenty of question marks around Lenawee. I think Kern still finds a way to be impactful.

Aydin MacDonald, Ann Arbor Pioneer Senior Defenseman

Aydin MacDonald scored just three points in the final nine games of his junior season after scoring 28 in the first 15 games. In his final year, I think the senior gets hot again early and stays hot this time around.

Dawson Waddington, Dexter Senior Defenseman

He’s a big, athletic kid who can play physical and wear down opponents. Dawson Waddington played a ton of minutes for the Dreads last season, and I expect him to fulfill that role once again this winter. 

Elliott Hamlin, Dexter Senior Goalie

Played in all but two games for the Dreads last season, with a 17-8-0 record. No other goalie in the SEC has half as many career starts as four-year starter Elliott Hamlin. He had a 2.36 goals-against average with a .921 save percentage as a junior.

Petey’s Prediction: Dexter

The Dreads’ biggest rival, Chelsea, took it to them in both meetings last season. Every game in this series has been decided by three goals or fewer since February, 2024. I expect the Bulldogs to once again stand in the way as well. Newly formed co-op SkyRon is intriguing. While I don’t see them as a legitimate threat for the top spot, they will have a decent amount of weapons to compete with the likes of Dexter, Chelsea, Saline and cross-town rival Pioneer. 

Coach Grundy and Dexter are the runaway favorites in the conference, but if I’m in maroon and gold this winter, I’ve got my sights set a Hell of a lot higher. Success/failure in Year 4 might just be measured on if, or how many, wooden mittens the Dreads collect in the postseason.

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