Last season, Howell hockey had arguably the best goalie in the state between the pipes. Henry Lansky finished top five in the state in wins (23), save percentage (94.1) and goals-against average (1.55), while playing against the second-toughest strength of schedule in Michigan. Lansky went on to win State Champs! Wall Award as best goaltender in the state, while also being named to the Michigan High School Hockey Coaches’ Association (MHSHCA) Dream Team.

Upon graduating last spring, coach Keith Robertson had a big hole to fill in net during the offseason, looking to replace Lansky. In stepped first-year senior and former AAA prospect Chase Rayburn. The 6-foot-1 goalie has mounted a 6-1-0 record with a 93.3 save percentage and 1.02 goals-against average through the first month of the season. 

The No. 2-ranked Highlanders are coming off of a 3-2 win over cross-town rival and No. 3-ranked Hartland Eagles. Rayburn made 14 saves in that win, while also posting shutouts against No. 9 Houghton, Calumet and De La Salle. As stout as he’s been in net, the Howell defense has done a fantastic job in front of him, limiting opponents to less than 18 shots on goal this season as well. Offense is tough to come by when chances are limited and goaltending i stellar. The team’s 1.29 goals-against average ranks third in the state, and Howell is one of just two teams that ranks in the Top 10 in both total offense and total defense so far this season.

Grandville goes eight straight periods without a goal against

Senior Ayden Karas has proved throughout his four-year career to be one of the best goalies in the Class of 2026. After a strong showing this fall in the Michigan Developmental Hockey League (MDHL) where he posted a 91.0 save percentage and earned a spot on the tournament team, Karas and the Bulldogs opened up the ‘25-26 season with three consecutive shutouts against OK Conference opponents. 

Karas blanked both Jenison and Reeths-Puffer in consecutive starts, while Will Beck shut out East Kentwood in his lone start of the season as well. It wasn’t until the 16-minute mark of the first period against West Ottawa in Game 4 that the Bulldogs finally surrendered a goal against. Grandville, ranked No. 10 in the state, has played just four games thus far and was idle last week. But what’s been most impressive is the way this team has taken care of business through the early stages of the season. The team’s 0.50 goals-against average is currently the lowest in the state through the month of November.

Pivotal games with No. 6 Trenton and No. 9 Houghton will provide significantly more challenging matchups. Conference action in the OKC will pick up as well, when the Bulldogs clash with Grand Rapids Catholic Central later this month, as well as Mona Shores and Byron Center just after the New Year.

Birmingham Unified hockey’s best start in three years

After losing to Brother Rice 5-1 on opening night, Birmingham Unified has rattled off four consecutive wins to close out the month of November with a 4-1-0 record. In those four wins, the Kings have allowed just four goals against, shutting out Walled Lake United 2-0 as well as M-1 United 4-0 last Wednesday. 

Dylan Brand and Alasdair Hewer have split duties in net, both winning two games apiece. Their combined 1.40 goals-against average for the season ranks fourth in the state behind Grandville, Detroit Catholic Central and Howell. BU looks to be a much improved bunch from last seasons’ 13-11-1 squad. Connor Bozek, Ryan Brand and Ethan Goel lead the way offensively, with five points each. The team currently sits in second place in the OAA Red division, with a ‘prove it’ matchup against No. 7 Clarkston later this week.

I don’t expect BU to be victorious in that matchup with a Top-10 opponent on Thursday, but the way the Kings are playing, I do believe it’ll be more competitive than the previous four matchups where the Wolves have outscored BU by a combined score of 17-3, dating back to the ‘23-24 season.