After 18 years competing in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association (KLAA), Livonia Stevenson and Livonia United will join the Lakes Valley Conference (LVC) this winter. Not solely a hockey decision, the two schools make the change across all sports in a unique move that takes them out of one of the best hockey conferences in the state. Regardless, this recent conference realignment immediately positions Michigan high school hockey powerhouse Stevenson at the top of the six-team field. 

South Lyon and Huron Valley stand to gain the most from this change, now getting to see the Spartans on their schedule twice per season. SLU ranked as high as 15th in ‘25-26 and second-year co-op Huron Valley still has carry-over from Lakeland’s 2024 Final Four team. Both programs have made attempts to beef up non-conference schedules and shown well in state playoff action. Getting the opportunity to directly measure themselves up against a blue blood like Stevenson is invaluable. 

Last Season’s Champion: Huron Valley

Led by a senior-laden team, Huron Valley had plenty of weapons in its first year as a co-op. Killian Voorhies, Levi Weinberger, Austin Scanlon and Nathan Dell all broke the 30-point plateau last season. Only Weinberger is eligible to return this winter though. So the defending champs will have their work cut out for them replacing a plethora of points. 

Young contributors like Carson Roland and Vince Modica, among others, will have to elevate their play if the Titans are to repeat as LVC champs. In six conference games, Huron Valley’s average margin of victory was 5.5 goals per game. Even without the addition of the Livonia schools, I don’t see the champs repeating its dominance to that extent.

Returning Players to Watch

Jackson Hamel, South Lyon Unified Senior Forward

Looks poised to fill the shoes of former leading scorer Nathan Ligi. Jackson Hamel has the puck skills and the finishing touch to be SLU’s next big offensive threat and I think he does just that in his third season with the program.

Levi Weinberger, Huron Valley Senior Forward

Made an immediate impact in his first season of varsity hockey last winter, leading the Titans with 20 goals. Watch Levi Weinberger turn it up a notch as a senior and make Huron Valley a legitimate threat.

Evan Wilson, Livonia Stevenson Junior Forward

A super young team looking for someone to step up. Evan Wilson just may be the guy, considering he was a regular in the rotation last season as a sophomore. Only had three goals and eight points, so it would take a significant jump in production.

Carson Roland, Huron Valley Junior Defenseman

Spent this fall with 16U Michigan Hockey Advancement (MHA) Royal, where he’s scored three goals and six points. Carson Roland led Titans D-men in scoring last year and will be called on to log big minutes once again.

Lucas Brethauer, Huron Valley Senior Defenseman

A four-year senior for the Titans who’s played 75 games at the varsity level. Lucas Brethauer provided a good one-two punch on the back end alongside Roland last season. Having both back this winter is a big-time luxury in the LVC.

Keegan Korpi, South Lyon Unified Senior Goalie

A big, athletic goalie who competes very well. Keegan Korpi is all of 6-foot-2, and posted a 13-4-1 record in goal last season. He’s played at a high level, and when Korpi is on, he can be as good as anyone in the state.

Petey’s Prediction: Livonia Stevenson

I’ll admit this is a bit of a pedigree pick. Stevenson has been a perennial power playing in one of the top conferences in high school hockey for two decades. Let’s not forget, they’ve been to back-to-back Division-II state finals as well. This feels like Alabama leaving the SEC for the ACC in college football. I say that, BUT South Lyon skated to a 3-3 tie with those very Spartans last February. And, LVC champ Huron Valley actually beat Stevenson 4-2 at Eddie Edgar Arena in November. Yea, Stevenson has a more pronounced trophy case and reputation. But the “O.G.” LVC members are gonna be chomping at the bit to prove themselves against one of the best in the state. This is just as much an opportunity for the rest of the conference to build their portfolio.

The Spartans are really young, with just two seniors on the roster in ‘26-27. Plus, returners have a lot of growing to do, as Evan Wilson is the highest producer from last season’s squad with just three goals and eight points. They’re young. They’re inexperienced. I’ll take them as the favorites here but not without acknowledging the fact multiple teams should compete with the newcomer for the top spot. 

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