Like Season 7 of Game of Thrones, winter has come, and so too has the 2024-25 Michigan high school hockey season. I’ve spent all of October delivering previews of all 13 leagues, conferences and associations around the state, with regional players and teams to watch ahead of the upcoming season. Now, we take a look through a statewide lens, with the only preseason Top-25 rankings in the state. I’ve identified the top teams to watch prior to puck drop and will update the Top 25 throughout the season as games unfold. 

Out of the gate, I’ve broken down the Top 25 teams into five different ‘tiers’ or groups of programs of a similar caliber. 

On the Rise
Challengers
In the Hunt
Title Contenders
Detroit Catholic Central

Honorable Mention: Hancock, Forest Hills Central, Bay City, Grand Rapids Christian, Northville, Calumet, Sparta, White Lake Lakeland, Bay Reps, Chelsea

Grandville at the Forefront of Teams on the Rise

I haven’t been coy about it. I love this Grandville team. There’s a lot of young talent and prospects to like with this group. But, looking at this group of teams ‘on the rise’ you’ve got a long list of 10-15 different teams around the state that are virtually interchangeable. Salem out, Forest Hills Central in? Sure. Bay Reps up, Alpena down? Okay. What about Lakeland or Sparta?? Feel free to make your case, I’m open to debate! 

Salem could be every bit as good as it was last season, finishing ‘23-24 ranked 25th according to MyHockeyRankings. Dom Chaput and Cam Eichner provide experience and production that few others ‘on the rise’ have in the lineup. I said on the podcast, Cranbrook could be every bit as talented, if not more, than last season’s Division-III state championship team. Charlie Price gives M-1 United a legitimate, high-end junior hockey prospect. He makes the Griffins a dangerous bunch.

25. M-1 United (OAA, Division-I)

I’ve got them as the second-best team in the Oakland Activities Association (OAA). The Griffins should be favored in the majority of their games this season, and have two-thirds of their offense returning this winter. 

24. Alpena (Big North, Division-III)

One of the best young teams in the state, oozing with talent from the Class of 2026 and 2027. Not to mention, leading scorer and senior leader Garrett Hamp returns with 39 goals and 79 points in his varsity career.

23. Midland Dow (SVL, Division-II)

Ceiling could be as high as 17 or 18 wins, with a floor of 12 to 13. Nolan Harris, Caden Nemeth and Zane Rastello provide a strong core of returners in a Saginaw Valley League (SVL) that could be super competitive this winter.

22. Cranbrook (MIHL, Division-III)

They’ll get overshadowed by other top contenders in the Michigan Interscholastic Hockey League (MIHL), but the Cranes will absolutely be a factor in the Division-III state playoffs. After all, they are defending champions. 

21. Salem (KLAA, Division-I)

I mentioned depth being a question mark for the Rocks heading into the season. I’m happy to be proved wrong on that, because if the middle of the lineup fills out in addition to its top-line studs, Salem could be scary good.

20. Grandville (OKC, Division-II)

The Bulldogs only won 10 games last season. They may surpass that win total this winter before people give up on their 2025 New Year’s Resolutions. It’s been six years since Grandville’s won an OKC division championship; I think that drought ends this season. 

Byron Center, Lumen Christi look to Carry Over Success from Last Season

This tier of ‘Challengers’ had wild success last season. Byron Center as the Division-II state champion. Lumen Christi, Marquette and Sault Ste. Marie with 20-plus win totals. Can they carry over that success from ‘23-24 to this winter? Zach Jaakkola gives the Titans a great chance of doing just that. 

Midland has a fantastic duo of Lucas Mankoff and Cade Sanborn, who ripped up the Michigan Developmental Hockey League (MDHL) this fall. Cade Doud also gets added to the mix this winter, giving the Chemics an influx of weapons. They’ll be a dangerous team in Mid-Michigan and should be looked at as a legitimate threat in the Saginaw Valley League (SVL). Success at the local level would certainly lead to statewide recognition.

There aren’t many teams with a more difficult schedule — at least from a preseason point of view — than Riverview Gabriel Richard. Seven opponents currently featured in the preseason Top 25. It is an absolute gauntlet for the Pioneers. If coach Rick DeSana’s team can navigate this land-mine filled slate of games, they just might take the state by storm.

19. Sault Ste. Marie (Independent, Division-III)

Winning 20-plus games again may be a stretch, but I do think the Blue Devils will be a talented bunch a second time around. Forward Nick Wood and defenseman Korsen Pace are legitimate junior hockey prospects; a big season for the Soo could draw statewide attention yet again.

18. Riverview Gabriel Richard (Independent, Division-III)

I truly don’t know if RGR has the horses to take on the challenge that is this ‘24-25 schedule. But we’re going to find out pretty quickly! This team is young, with three returners from the Class of 2027 and five from the Class of 2026. Regardless of the results, the schedule is an amazing challenge.

17. Midland (SVL, Division-II)

The Chemics already had solid prospects with Cade Sanborn, Lucas Mankoff and Cayden Nieto. Now, you add Cade Doud to the mix as well, and Midland could be a real factor in Mid-Michigan, as well as Division-II.

16. Jackson Lumen Christi (Metro, Division-III)

The Titans’ schedule gets a lot tougher, transitioning from the South Central Hockey League (SCHL) to the Metro League. The timing is great. The travel will be tough. The payoff, though, could be huge for the program.

15. De La Salle (MIHL, Division-III)

The Pilots are a bit of an unknown to me heading into the season. Very few participants in the MDHL or MHA this fall; two programs they’re normally involved in en masse. At the very least, Gavin Szalkowski always gives them a chance in net.

14. Byron Center (OKC, Division-II)

They don’t have the elite-level horses they’ve had in years past, but the collective roster may be very balanced throughout. It’s a program that’s tasted success and built its reputation as a blue blood; that doesn’t dissipate because of the departure of one or two graduating classes.

13. Marquette (Great Lakes, Division-II)

Their biggest road block in the U.P. left the Great Lakes. Marquette will still play Houghton twice this season, but the path to a conference championship is wide open. Even after losing some of its top guys, Marquette is one team I wouldn’t want to face this winter. 

Who Thrives More as a Team in the Hunt: Brighton or Brother Rice?

“Underdog” is not a role that Brighton or Brother Rice have found themselves in much. But both may be perceived as such heading into Top-25 matchups this season. The Bulldogs will be young; some of their best players may be 2009-born prospects like returner Tim Peterson and first-year D-man Caden O’Toole. I’m curious about the Warriors’ depth this season as well. I’m a big fan of Roman Villaire and Cam George, but who steps up after them for Rice? These programs ‘in the hunt’ can absolutely play themselves into being title contenders, but there’s some elements of the roster that are still unproven.

East Grand Rapids may have the best trio in West Michigan with Oliver Owen, James Albers and Brady Ross. Trenton may have the best goalie in the state with Evan Sivi. Both have huge advantages in their respective lineups while also having some glaring questions yet to be answered. These teams ‘in the hunt’ could prove to be the most volatile tier of the Top 25, capable of skyrocketing to No. 2 while also running the risk of falling outside the rankings completely. Good news is, they hold their destiny in their hands.

12. Trenton (MIHL, Division-II)

Outside of Catholic Central, the Trojans could beat everyone on their schedule this season. ‘Why not us?’ should be the mantra for a team that has all the tools; smart coaching, talented players and elite goaltending. Why can’t Trenton be a state title favorite?!

11. Brighton (KLAA, Division-I)

It may be a ‘down’ year for the Bulldogs, but it won’t be for lack of talent or coaching. They’re a young bunch. If they catch on and acclimate to the varsity level quickly, Brighton will be a contender yet again. I just think they’re a year or two away from returning to a D-I state final. 

10. Brother Rice (MIHL, Division-II)

The high-end guys are pretty high! I’ve talked about Cam George and Roman Villaire a bunch during the preseason. Depth, as we know, is the key though and production from players like Evan Murphy and Brenden Bieth will be the key to the Warriors’ success.

9. East Grand Rapids (OKC, Division-III)

It feels like a ‘down year’ for the West Side after having four teams in all three playoff divisions reach the Final Four last March. The Pioneers return the strongest contingent from ‘23-24, making them the favorite by default. 

Orchard Lake Leads the Charge Among Title Contenders

I mentioned on the podcast that Orchard Lake St. Mary’s and Hartland stand the best chance at competing with CC at the top. Both teams have great depth. Hartland has higher end prospects but OLSM may have the advantage in net. That last bit is why I give the edge to the Eaglets over the Eagles, but its really, really close.

If you thought about writing off Clarkston and/or Houghton because they graduated a few junior hockey prospects last spring, you’d be making a big mistake. Kyle Lynch, Trey Damian and Brady Damian make the Wolves elite at all three levels of the lineup. Similarly, Houghton’s key guys Connor Arko and Jace DeForge may be one of the best duos in the state.

Livonia Stevenson and Howell could play their way up the rankings quickly. Both teams have the tools to be legitimate contenders for very different reasons. The Highlanders’ first-year goalie Henry Lansky should give the team a chance to win on a nightly basis. Stevenson’s depth and high end players, on the other hand, afford the Spartans the luxury of line matching and exposing an opponent’s weaknesses.

Flint Powers was on the fringe between Title Contender and In The Hunt for me. I ultimately pushed them into the higher group as opposed to holding them back because I believe this is where the Chargers will end up. Ayden Cook has had one of the more memorable fall seasons with Michigan Hockey Advancement (MHA) Red and has plenty of other weapons around him. If they’re not a title contender at present day, they will be come season’s end.

8. Flint Powers (SVL, Division-III)

The Chargers were Top 10 in goals scored last season. Twelve players reached double digits in points, and eight of them are slated to be back in ‘24-25. They lost a lot, but have a lot coming back too. The league is going to be great this season, but so will Powers. 

7. Howell (KLAA, Division-I)

You get both Brighton and Hartland at home this season. You’ve got studs at all three levels of the lineup. Experienced returners. Talented newcomers. The stars have aligned for the Highlanders to go on a run, and I’m hopping on the bandwagon. 

6. Livonia Stevenson (KLAA, Division-II)

The Spartans’ style of play is relentless. Wave after wave after wave of in-your-face forechecking and suffocating defense. It’s a young and experienced team that’s been coached up well. You won’t find a more prepared bunch on gameday.

5. Houghton (Independent, Division-III)

Of the four teams that made the D-III Final Four, the Gremlins have the best shot at returning to Plymouth come season’s end. They’ve got top-level talent and depth throughout the lineup. There’s some work to do in replacing Bryant Lee’s 24 starts, but Houghton has a great baseline and a promising schedule.

4. Clarkston (OAA, Division-I)

Coach Nathan Bryer has put the Wolves on the Michigan high school hockey map, and will likely keep them there for the foreseeable future. This team has a bunch of talent coming back, but more importantly, guys like Gavin Anderson, Frank Stanek and Eric Wade, who could step into much larger roles this season.

3. Hartland (KLAA, Division-I)

A deep team. A talented team. An experienced team. The Eagles check a lot of the key boxes you look for in a legitimate title contender prior to the start of the season. They’ve got the horses to play with anyone in the state, including Catholic Central.

2. Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (MIHL, Division-III)

The Eaglets should be very deep, with plenty of game experience under their belts. Senior Julian Johnston is the tip of the offensive spear, followed by a slew of eight to 10 guys who could all contribute significantly. 

Detroit Catholic Central

They are in a class of their own. Detroit Catholic Central graduated or lost 17 players from last season’s squad. SEVENTEEN! But come back just as good and just as dominant. The Shamrocks had more than 20 prospects that played in the Michigan Developmental Hockey League (MDHL), seven of which played in the league showcase and seven who played for the tournament teams as well. DCC has added a ton of weapons and will be in good shape with a handful of first-year varsity players coming over from the AAA circuit. Plus, returners like Peter Sanin and Nick Leiter will provide veteran leadership and experience for the group as well. They’ve won five consecutive Division-I state championships, and I’m not about to start picking against them now.