The field of teams remaining in the Michigan high school hockey state playoffs is down to just eight in each division. Regional round action has been completed and the teams below have all claimed postseason hardware. But who among them has the best shot at adding even more decor to the trophy case? Check out my State Tournament Power Rankings for the remaining eight teams in each division.

Division-I Power Rankings

8. Utica Eisenhower

The Eagles have won eight of their last night, and haven’t lost a game by more than two goals since Dec. 7th. Ike’s top line of Bode Farr, Sawyer Hotchkiss and Ryan Dex is capable of competing with top-ranked DCC in the quarterfinals. But this is the toughest test — by far — that this team’s seen all season and I worry the Shamrocks’ depth will grind them down.

7. Kalamazoo

Senior goalie Owen Anderson may have saved his best performance of the season for last. He turned away 36 of 38 shots in the Eagles’ 3-2 win over Forest Hills Central in the Regional Final. Another big outing from him and forward Carter Dominowski, and Kalamazoo could advance to the Frozen Four, but it’s a tall task from there.

6. Sparta

I give the Spartans a slight edge over Kalamazoo in the quarterfinals, but they’ll face similar challenges in Plymouth if they move on. I’ve been a fan of Caden Gleason, Tanner Guerra and Trevor Serba for a while now. The stage gets pretty big and the competition gets really stiff at the Frozen Four though.

5. Brighton

Who had the Bulldogs making it to Plymouth for a fifth straight year?! Their quarterfinal matchup with Salem is a tossup, as each team has won a game apiece in the season series. Coach Kurt Kivisto has instilled confidence in this young bunch, and they’d likely draw into the 2-v-3 matchup in Plymouth with a chance at a fourth consecutive State Final appearance.

4. Salem

I said before the tournament, the Rocks could get on a roll at the right time. Winners of 10 of the last 12, including a 4-2 victory over heated rival Plymouth, Salem has done just that. Their top line of Kaminski, Chaput and Patel gives the Rocks a slight edge over Brighton and could reach Plymouth for the first time in program history. After that, though, the run gets significantly harder.

3. Clarkston

Here’s where we really start separating teams from the pack, because Clarkston is the first on the list — so far — with a good amount of high-end prospects and reliable depth. Kyle Lynch and Frank Stanek are talented up front, Trey Damian is special on the back end, and they get good contributions from Gavin Anderson, George WAlker and Ryan Wilford. Plenty of weapons to make a push to the finish line.

2. Howell

I’ve been high on the Highlanders all season long, and it’s certainly fitting to see them reach the quarterfinals. They have an outside shot at competing with the division’s top dog in Catholic Central, but Rory Sturos and Chad Pietila will have to clear a pretty big hurdle in Clarkston first. Should Howell advance, it would be the top seed in Plymouth with a .666 MPR; two one-thousandths higher than CC.

1. Detroit Catholic Central

The Shamrocks just cleared their biggest hurdle standing in their path to a state record sixth consecutive state title. If Hartland couldn’t solve CC, I don’t believe anyone else remaining in the field can either. Eleven different skaters have scored goals in the past four games; everyone is contributing for a Shamrock team firing on all cylinders.

Division-II Power Rankings

8. Rochester United

It’s been an incredible run this season for Rochester United. A 20-win season culminating with the program’s first Regional Title since 2019. A date with heavily favored Livonia Stevenson on Saturday may mark the end of the road, though. If Greyson Hizer and Brayden Buckler have a little more magic left, and Sam Kulasooriya makes 40-plus saves, maybe, just maybe RU’s run will continue.

7. Traverse City Central

Bounces just weren’t going the Trojans’ way for the bulk of the regular season. But it seems the tides have turned at the right time for TCC. not only is everything turning up Trojan, but they’re playing great hockey on top of that. Just two goals against in their last five games, and Luke Weaver and Cole Herzberg could put a scare into Grandville in the quarters as well.

6. Grandville

This Bulldogs team is scrappy, hard-working and deep. In some ways, it may be the program’s most ‘Frozen Four ready’ team. That’s saying a lot, considering Grandville has reached Plymouth six times previously. The Trojans are a tough matchup Saturday, and advancing would likely mean Flint Powers or Livonia Stevenson; both matchup nightmares for the Bulldogs.

5. Marquette

My Marquette Sentinels have played four straight one-goal games, including two decided in overtime. As much as I love my Sentinels, Powers up next is a terrible matchup. The in-your-face style is tough for opponents to handle, but at this stage of the tournament, I don’t see the Stevenson’s, Trenton’s or Rice’s of the world being knocked off their game by it. I hope this team can make it to Plymouth because they’d be a fun watch for the masses at USA Hockey Arena.

4. Livonia Stevenson

The Spartans have won a Regional Title nine of the last 11 seasons, but haven’t advanced past the Quarterfinals since 2016. A favorable matchup with RU should propel Stevenson on to Plymouth for the first time in nine years and could draw a semifinal tilt with Grandville. I like the Spartans’ odds of getting there, but can Owen Hall and company finish?

3. Trenton

The regional rounds went about as I expected for Trenton, setting the stage for a huge quarterfinal matchup with MIHL foe Rice. These two skated to a 2-2 tie back in November, but the rematch won’t end in a tie this time. The winner of this game may enter the Frozen Four as the hottest team remaining in the tournament. How about Donovan Durbin’s state-leading 12 points in regionals, too?!

2. Brother Rice

I’ll take my chances against just about everybody on this list of D-II contenders, but there’s something about Brother Rice I just want nothing to do with. They’re talented with guys like Zac Staelgraeve and Isaiah House, and Roman Villaire has taken his game to a new level in the New Year. There may be some teams more talented or deeper, but none are as confident or intimidating as the Warriors.

1. Flint Powers

This tournament is the Chargers’ to lose. They’ve got the best player in D-II with Ayden Cook, and arguably the most depth. Forwards Andrew Parmentier, Andrew Burny and Parker Bendall elevate this team from legitimate contender to downright, runaway favorite to win. A Couple good performances from Hunter Clark, and they may be untouchable.

Division-III Power Rankings

8. Petoskey

The Northmen have the lowest MPR of the eight teams remaining, and the second-lowest ranked team on MyHockeyRankings across all three divisions. However, this is the same spot I had Cranbrook last year before they went on to win the 2024 D-III title. Nick Timm had a big performance to put Petoskey in this position; he’ll need a couple more for the Northmen to replicate the Cranes’ championship run.

7. Alpena

The Wildcats have lost to Petoskey twice this season, but I’d still have them as a pretty sizable favorite in the quarterfinal matchup Saturday. The winner of that game likely has the toughest remaining path to a championship. As much as I like the duo of Gavin Winterstein and Garrett Hamp, I think it’s going to take a bit more than them to advance much further.

6. Riverview Gabriel Richard

I worry about the Pioneers’ offense in their quarterfinal matchup with Cranbrook. Not for lack of firepower — Anthony Venturini, Santino Venturini, Michael Taucher and Connor Forster are viable options — but the Cranes just don’t surrender much offense against. RGR is just 4-5-2 in games with five total goals or fewer, and I’m not sure these two will even combine to hit that mark. Offense will be extremely hard to come by from here on out. 

5. Sault Ste. Marie

This quarterfinal matchup with Jeffers is going to be super close. Both teams play fast and physical, and should be one of the more evenly matched games we see on Saturday. Blue Devils certainly play hard enough along the walls and on the forecheck, but teams like Jeffers, Orchard Lake and EGR are going to have just a touch more talent and creativity that separates them from the Soo at this stage of the tournament.

4. Cranbrook

The Cranes’ team goals-against average of 1.88 is among the lowest in the state, and they have eight wins this season in games with five or fewer goals scored. They’re tough to score on and scrappy enough to win low-scoring dogfights; perfect for playoff hockey. Responsible center play from Nick Timko and Gianluca Di Salvo, and this team just doesn’t make many mistakes.

3. Jeffers

A historic run for the Jets just might continue. Their first Regional Title since the Gerald Ford administration may very well snowball into a Frozen Four appearance, or even more. Their top line is exceptionally talented, the middle of the lineup plays hard and fast, and Kasen Helminen is providing stout goaltending for Jeffers as well. Why couldn’t they take this thing all the way?

2. Orchard Lake St. Mary’s

The Eaglets actually have an 0-3 record against other D-III teams remaining in the field. Even so, I believe your state champ comes out of this quarterfinal matchup with EGR. The winner would be the No. 1 seed in the Frozen Four, and OLSM has the right amount of skill, depth and goaltending to get the job done.

1. East Grand Rapids

If the Pioneers run the table, I could see half a dozen other conferences quickly implement end-of-season tournaments, similar to the OKC. East has basically been playing playoff hockey since the MIHL Showcase, and won’t flinch at the challenges they’d face in the final rounds of the state playoffs. James Albers, Brady Ross and Oliver Owen aren’t settling for second best this time around. Pioneers’ playoff push ends with a championship.