Twenty-five Michigan high school hockey teams from all corners of the state converge on Chelsea’s Arctic Coliseum this weekend for the annual showcase. This event pre-dates my time as a coach, which began during the 2011-12 season. This showcase, along with the MIHL Showcase next weekend are two of the longest tenured events in our game, with a rich history and successful track record.

While there’s only one team currently ranked among my Top 25 in attendance this weekend, there’s still plenty of intrigue with competitive matchups and talented prospects. Traverse City West defenseman Kallen Ray is among the best defensemen in the state. Alex Kozar — the state’s leading scorer — from Milford is a physical force with a relentless motor. Four-year starter Luke Webster is playing some of his best hockey as of late for Chelsea. Only scratching the surface here, too! More on who to watch and what to watch for from all 25 games this weekend at the Chelsea Showcase.

THURSDAY

Fenton-Linden vs. Ann Arbor Skyline

The Griffins are going to generate some offense in this game, despite being just 1-15-1 on the season. Vincent Loria, Mason Wright and Trenton Rockman are a good trio capable of creating offense. But Skyline’s playing just a little bit better at the moment, after winning 4-2 over a Tri-Valley team that thumped this Fenton-Linden group 7-1 just a week ago. 

Petey’s Pick: Ann Arbor Skyline

Gibraltar Carlson vs. L’anse Creuse Unified

Sneaky good matchup. Carlson is win-less in its last four, but I really liked Drake Dietz and Jager Whitten when I saw the Marauders pre-winter break. L’anse Creuse had won six of seven before losing two close ones last week. Close game, good game, exciting game. I’ll take Logan Jarvey and LCU to strike last though.

Petey’s Pick: L’anse Creuse Unified

Chelsea vs. Riverview Gabriel Richard

Host Chelsea has turned a bit of a corner in the New Year. After playing .500 hockey through the first half, the Bulldogs are undefeated in their last five. I think that ends here, though, against a Riverview Gabriel Richard team that’s very battle tested having played nine Top-25 opponents thus far.

Petey’s Pick: Riverview Gabriel Richard

Livonia United vs. Jackson United

The Red Stallions are playing some of their best hockey at the moment, with three wins and a pair of competitive losses to good teams. Strength of schedule comes into play here, and Jackson United is going to need more than just Brennan Forward to contribute up offensively. Livonia United wins decisively.

Petey’s Pick: Livonia United

FRIDAY

L’Anse Creuse Unified vs. West Ottawa

The Panthers having been much more competitive this season than their 7-11-1 record would suggest. Carsen Arens has been tough for teams to contain, with points in 11 of the last 13 games. I expect him to get his, but LCU is just a little bit deeper. That proves to be the difference in this one.

Petey’s Pick: L’anse Creuse Unified

Hudsonville vs. Lenawee United

Four of Lenawee’s six wins this season have come in the last three weeks. They’re starting to feel good about themselves in the New Year. But I like what I’m hearing out of this Hudsonville camp; a program that’s building in the right direction. The Eagles’ young core — starting with second-year sophomore Lucas Brandow — get a nice program-building win at the showcase.

Petey’s Pick: Hudsonville

Traverse City West vs. Livonia United

In the last 10 days, TC West has played tough games against No. 9 Cranbrook, Midland Dow and Plymouth. They competed well in all three, but offensive struggles have been what’s held this team back all season long. I’ll take Kallen Ray and Robert Councilor to generate just enough production to win a close one.

Petey’s Pick: Traverse City West

Divine Child vs. Rockford

The Falcons were rolling, unbeaten in eight straight before surprisingly getting rocked by Lumen Christi 6-1 at home last week. That seems a bit uncharacteristic for Braeden McNamara and company, and they’ve had more than a week to ‘get right.’ Rockford hangs around early, but DC pulls away as the game wears on.

Petey’s Pick: Divine Child

Saline vs. White Lake Lakeland

Lakeland enters the week on a six-game win streak, and winners of eight of the last night. Austin Scanlon and Nate Dell might be the two best players on the ice, and the Eagles java just a bit more scoring depth. Hornets keep it a low-scoring dog fight, but Lakeland prevails with timely scoring.

Petey’s Pick: White Lake Lakeland

Kingsford vs. Milford

There won’t be a shortage of playmakers on the ice in this one. Leading scorer Gavin Moore has points in 10 of the last 11 games for Kingsford. Jake Crockford and Will Murvich are skilled running mates as well. But twin towers Alex Kozar and Craig Borges are going to be tough to contain, whether they play on the same line or alternate in a rotation. 

Petey’s Pick: Milford

Utica Eisenhower vs. Petoskey

I went from excited to apprehensive about this matchup for Petoskey after the Northmen got mercied by De La Salle last week; a team that Ike hung tough with last month. Nick Timm could bounce back with a better performance at the Chelsea Showcase, but for now, I gotta go with Bode Farr and an Eagles team that’s won or been competitive in every game this season.

Petey’s Pick: Utica Eisenhower

Grand Haven vs. Troy United

I know whoever I pick here, I’m going to be wrong. These are two very evenly matched teams despite having polar opposite records. Troy is 12-6-0 while Grand Haven is 4-11-2. I’ll cautiously take C.J. Henke and the Buccaneers to pull off an “upset” despite being ranked 10 spots ahead of Troy in the statewide rankings.

Petey’s Pick: Grand Haven 

Grosse Ile vs. Marysville

Ben LaValley was held without a goal in back-to-back games last week for the first time since November, 2023. I don’t see the Red Devils keeping him off the score sheet for a third straight game. If LaValley scores, and a guy like Luke Thick scores, I like the Vikings’ chances. They are 6-1-0 this season when both find the back of the net.

Petey’s Pick: Marysville

Dexter vs. Gibraltar Carlson

I’m picking Dexter, just to spare myself the ‘KEEP DOUBTING US!’ direct messages I get bombarded with every time I talk about the Dreads. They’re on a 10-game heater and a 15-2-0 record. Four guys with double-digit goals and seven with 10 or more points. Carlson is a good test for this group, but Dexter’s answered almost every challenge thus far, so, don’t let me down.

Petey’s Pick: Dexter

SATURDAY

Fenton-Linden vs. Hudsonville

I took Hudsonville earlier, and I’m gonna take them again here, sweeping their weekend at the Chelsea Showcase. Leading scorer Kaleb Anderson has 12 goals, and a tally in four of the team’s five wins. If he can put together a nice weekend, I think the Eagles as a whole will follow suit. Close game, but gimme the ‘Ville.

Petey’s Pick: Hudsonville

Jackson United vs. Traverse City West

Kallen Ray may be the best player in the building this weekend. He’s appointment viewing, and in this particular matchup, could dominate. Ray doesn’t need to be on the score sheet to dictate the game. It certainly doesn’t hurt, but even with a stout defensive effort from him, West has enough contributors elsewhere like Robert Councilor, Drew Charland Chris Mason to get it done against Jackson United.

Petey’s Pick: Traverse City West

Lenawee United vs. Kingsford

FINALLY! I finally get to pick in favor of Kingsford. This is a bunch I’ve liked going back to last season. The Flivvers are just 6-10-0 on the season, but four losses are to ranked teams and another couple are against top notch U.P. teams. Feels like a favorable matchup on paper, so I’ll eagerly pick in favor of the Flivvers.

Petey’s Pick: Kingsford

Petoskey vs. White Lake Lakeland

The Northmen average 6.18 goals scored per game in wins, but produced a total of just one goal in three losses. It’s boom or bust for a Petoskey offense led by Anderson Ward, Madden Pateman and Evan Williams. Offense may be tough to come by, regardless of who Lakeland starts in net. 

Petey’s Pick: White Lake Lakeland

Rockford vs. Troy United

Ignore the records, this matchup is about experience. Troy boasts a senior class of 10 players, but its top five scorers are all underclassmen, including first-year sophomore Kaiser Ascencio. Rockford’s faced the best that the OK Conference has to offer, and while the Rams haven’t found wins against ranked opponents like GRCC, East Grand Rapids or FHC, they have gained valuable experience.

Petey’s Pick: Rockford

Riverview Gabriel Richard vs. Marysville

Toughest opponent Marysville will play this season. It also doesn’t help that RGR will have last change in this matchup. That’ll allow the Pioneers to match against the Vikings’ top line. A good defensive effort and timely saves from Connor Ptak in net lead to an RGR  victory.

Petey’s Pick: Riverview Gabriel Richard

West Ottawa vs. Dexter

This might be a high-scoring affair, which doesn’t bode well for West Ottawa. The Panthers are 4-4-0 in games with seven or more total goals scored. Carson Arens and Krue Anderson could very well find the back of the net a couple times in this one. But Dexter is almost a lock to score four goals, and I don’t see WO out-pacing that.

Petey’s Pick: Dexter

Utica Eisenhower vs. Saline

Take the under. I don’t know who’s gonna be in goal for either team; four goalies in this one have at least six starts under their belts. So it could be any combination of matchups in the crease. Regardless, Neither Saline — giving up 2.53 goals against per game — or Eisenhower — 2.50 goals against — yield much offense. 

Petey’s Pick: Saline

Divine Child vs. Grand Haven

Expect this one to be closer than the 21 spots separating them in the statewide standings would suggest. Three of Divine Child’s four losses this season have come at the hands of teams ranked below them in MyHockeyRankings. I’m not confident enough to pick Grand Haven to win outright, but wouldn’t be surprised to see a competitive one-goal game.

Petey’s Pick: Divine Child

Chelsea vs. Grosse Ile

The Red Devils have five guys that are double digits in goals and create plenty of offense averaging six goals per game as a team. But senior Luke Webster is heating up, with a .946 save percentage and 1.85 goals-against average in his last six starts. It’s quite possible a 15-win Grosse Ile squad goes winless on the weekend.

Petey’s pick: Chelsea

Ann Arbor Skyline vs. Milford

I can’t offer up much analysis of Skyline because there’s next to nothing on the Hockey Hub. But knowing what I know about Milford, it likely wouldn’t have changed my mind anyway. The state’s leading scorer Alex Kozar is the real deal, and could play for anyone in the state. He gets his. Craig Borges might too. And Milford wins decisively.

Petey’s Pick: Milford