Just one player north of the Mackinac Bridge has earned the honor of Michigan high school hockey’s Mr. Hockey since 2010 (Cam Markham, Houghton). Could Marquette’s Seth Sandstrom make a case this winter as the top prospect in the game? He certainly has all the tools; beautiful skating ability, smooth puck skills, excellent hockey IQ. Sandstrom is one of the more dangerous offensive threats, after playing 80 varsity games, playing for Team Michigan last spring and Michigan Hockey Advancement (MHA) this fall. 

The Sentinels will play a competitive enough schedule and Sandstrom will definitely put up the points. If Marquette climbs into the Top-10 rankings, makes a deep playoff run and Sandstrom’s a big reason for the team’s success, it just might be enough to bring the highest individual honor to the U.P. for the first time since 2023. 

A lot has to go right. I mentioned a few of the boxes Marquette would have to check for this to happen. 

❌ Sentinels haven’t finished inside the Top 10 since ‘22-23

❌ Sentinels haven’t reached the Final Four since 2022

❌ Sandstrom has never scored 40 points in his four-year career

But just because it hasn’t happened yet doesn’t mean it can’t happen at all. I’m not sure coach Doug Garrow has had a prospect of Sandstrom’s caliber in my 10-plus years of covering the sport. A “go-to-guy” is something this Sentinels offense always seems to be missing. So now that they have that guy in spades, I think it’s a real possibility the rest of the state takes notice. 

Last Season’s Champion: Jeffers

A young Jeffers team proved that the program’s 2025 Final Four run was more than a flash in the pan. Standouts Max Nordstrom, Blake Heltunen and Tage Rajala helped the Jets to a 19-win season and the top spot in the Great Lakes Conference (GLC). All three stand to return to the program this winter, setting the Jets up to make it three conference championships in a row. In 12 conference games, Jeffers went 10-2-0 with an average margin of victory of 3.7 goals per win. There’s a chance their stranglehold of God’s country could continue once more when returning such key contributors that are also high-end high school prospects.

Returning Players to Watch

Connor Helminen, Hancock Junior Forward

Led the Bulldogs in scoring as a sophomore with 17 goals and 37 points. Hancock was a young team last season going 14-11-3 overall, and in all likelihood should be young once again. With Connor Helminen at the helm — and experience under his belt — Bulldogs might be officially back.

Max Nordstrom, Jeffers Junior Forward

He’s posted back-to-back 30-point seasons, and just now reaching the halfway point of his varsity career. Max Nordstrom was a key contributor for Team Michigan last spring and quickly rising as a top prospect from the Class of 2028.

Seth Sandstrom, Marquette Senior Forward

Maybe the best puck skills in all of high school hockey right now. Seth Sandstrom is just creative with the puck, navigating through spaces and creating offensive plays. His vision and thought process is unmatched.

Blake Heltunen, Jeffers Junior Defenseman

Blake Heltunen is a good skater who can make plays in all three zones. An ability to facilitate and make the simple passes while also defending well and making his presence known in the D-zone. Forty-five of his 52 career points are assists. 

Griffin Johnson, Escanaba Junior Defenseman

There’s a huge void to fill in Escanaba and Griffin Johnson looks primed to step into a big role this winter. The Eskymos will rely heavily on him and Chase Korpi to carry the offense and keep them in close games. 

Beau Jukuri, Calumet Senior Goalie

Beau Jukuri has come a long way in a short time. From a 3.09 goals-against average and 88.8 save percentage as a sophomore to being named one of the best goalies in the Class of 2027, representing Team Michigan last spring. I’m excited to see how far he can continue to grow. 

Petey’s Prediction: Marquette

The Sentinels haven’t won the GLC since splitting it with Calumet in ‘21-22. Winning the conference this winter would be a huge accomplishment for a program that’s been a mainstay in the Top 25 under coach Garrow. Defending champ Jeffers hasn’t lost to Marquette in over two years though, and this Jets squad is loaded once again. Kingsford beat this Marquette squad last season as well, and both Calumet and Hancock tied the Sentinels too. There’s no easy sledding in the GLC. When you look around the conference to see some of the best prospects in high school hockey staring back at you, it makes winning that much harder. There’s as many as five different teams that could make a case for the conference crown, and no less than 9 or 10 of the best prospects in high school hockey.

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