The Michigan Interscholastic Hockey League (MIHL) was formed prior to the 1999-00 season. Detroit Catholic Central won the inaugural league championship, and then continued to win the next seven MIHL titles until Cranbrook won in 2008. The Shamrocks have mounted a similar run of dominance during the current decade, having won the last four MIHL championships and seven of the last nine.

This season paints an interesting landscape across the three-division league, with plenty of headlines. 

CC graduated 16 seniors, and its leading scorer from last season, Brooks Rogowski, is playing in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). What now?

Brother Rice returns its top forward Roman Villaire and top defenseman Cam George. 

Goaltending may be the best it’s ever been, with Will Keane, Evan Sivi, Gavin Szalkowski and Blake Tice in action.

Does Orchard Lake see the fruits of its labor after fielding two varsity teams last season?

A lot to unpack with the best league in the state, so let’s get into it.

Last Season’s Champion: Detroit Catholic Central

For the third season in a row, CC was virtually untouchable by those in Michigan high school hockey. Their unbeaten streak against in-state opponents has swelled to 64 consecutive games, dating back to Feb. 16th, 2022. At least a few teams managed to score a goal against the Shamrocks during their most recent playoff run. 

Catholic Central lost 78.7 percent of its offense and over half of its starts in goal from last season. Yet, the Shamrocks reloaded this offseason, expecting major contributions from former AAA players like Justin Bloink, Nino Suhy, Sam Wolak and Sean Goff. That’s in addition to returning players like Peter Sanin, Nick Leiter and Sam Masek. Bottom line is, the MIHL is CC’s to lose and similarly, so is the Division-I State Title.

Returning Players to Watch

Julian Johnston, Orchard Lake Senior Forward

One of my favorite things about Johnston’s game; he is busy with and without the puck. Had an incredible fall season with the Michigan Developmental Hockey League (MDHL), scoring a league-high 12 goals and 18 points in eight games. 

Peter Sanin, Detroit Catholic Central Senior Forward

Sanin was third on the team last season in scoring with 42 points, and easily their most impactful returner this winter from that State Championship team. He’s solid on his skates, maintains good body position and is strong on his stick. 

Roman Villaire, Brother Rice Senior Forward

Brings a ton of creativity and play-making ability in the offensive half of the rink. Without the puck, Villaire has a ‘waiting in the weeds’ approach, capitalizing in the soft areas of the ice. Led the Warriors in scoring with 41 points in 26 games as a junior.

Cam George, Brother Rice Senior Defenseman

George was one of my favorite D-men from the Class of 2025 last season. He’s a smooth skater who’s comfortable with the puck and mitigates high-risk plays. Was a top guy for Michigan Hockey Advancement (MHA) Red this fall and should be the Warriors’ No. 1 option on the back end as well.

Nick Leiter, Detroit Catholic Central Senior Defenseman

He’s a big, strong kid who gets up and down the ice with great pace. Leiter was constantly involved in the play this fall with the MDHL, and showed a real nice ability to create offense from the blue line. No dust-offs, nothing fancy, just putting pucks to space and 

Evan Sivi, Trenton Senior Goalie

The four-year goaltender was sensational in his 15 games for the Trojans last season with a 1.19 goals-against average and .948 save percentage. After a really strong fall with MHA Red, Sivi could be set for his best season yet, and positioned to really take the reins in net.

Petey’s Prediction: Detroit Catholic Central

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again (and probably again… and probably again). It’s CC until it’s not CC. I don’t care about how much they graduated or who they lost to junior hockey, none of that. As long as Catholic Central has two JV teams and more AAA players in the school than your average AAA team, they’re the favorite to win. 

If there’s one team in the MIHL I think can compete with the Shamrocks or give them a run for their money this season, it’s Orchard Lake St. Mary’s. Last season, the Eaglets — along with Hartland — fielded two varsity teams. And after having more than 40 kids play at the varsity level, OLSM is positioned to be a real strong contender this winter. Who am I kidding, they were a contender last season too. The top team competing in the MIHL won 17 games and a Regional Championship, and got back major contributors Julian Johnston and Will Keane. Keane is one of the better goaltending prospects we’ve seen in high school hockey in quite some time. He’s big — listed at 6-foot-4 — and athletic, and posted a 2.59 goals-against average in 19 games as a junior. Diezel Cariera, Thaddeus Raynish, Charlie Roberts, Matthew Mourad, among others, were all major players in the MDHL this fall too.

They’re deep, they’re talented, and coach Brian Klanow gets guys to play a team game.

There’s been glowing reports out of fall hockey regarding Trenton’s Evan Sivi. One even said he could be the best junior hockey prospect at the goalie position, and that says a lot, given some of the others in the mix. The Trojans also have some flat out dudes up front that are highly skilled. I liked Gabriel Polyviou and his offensive instincts last season. He’ll be joined by a mix of newcomers and returners to watch like Donovan Durbin, Easton Tinsley, Landon Leone and Jack Brownlie. Only problem is they’re young; all 2008s with the exception of Polyviou. Can their youth up front be settled by steadiness in net?

And I may never rule out Cranbrook ever again after last season’s magical run to a Division-III State Championship. There’s a chance they could be a better all-around team this year too. Nick Timko proved he could be a go-to guy during the Cranes’ playoff push. Plus, Gianluca Di Salvo and Will Nottle have shown flashes of being contributors as well. Blake Tice was one of the better goalies in the MDHL this fall, even playing for the program’s 18U tournament team. All of those prospects come from a AAA background and know what it takes to achieve success at the varsity level. Why couldn’t they be a factor this winter?

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