The MIHL Showcase is hosted annually at the Kennedy Recreation Center in Trenton by the nine member teams of the Michigan Interscholastic Hockey League (MIHL). This three-day event features 22 of the top 25 ranked teams in the state, as well as the No. 1, No. 2 and No. 5-ranked teams in Ohio, the No. 6-ranked team in Wisconsin and a Top-10 nationally ranked independent program. Fifty games over the course of 55-ish hours across three sheets of ice under one roof. It’s a revolving door of top talent, top programs, top coaches and scouts.

The MIHL Showcase is the best event on the Michigan high school hockey calendar. Period.

Looking for a quick guide of who’s who, and what players to key in on during the mayhem of matchups this weekend? I’ve got you covered. Here’s one player, just one, only one — really, but not really — from each of the 45 Michigan-based programs in action this weekend.

Garrett Hamp, Alpena Senior Forward

Gavin Winterstein leads the team in points, and him and Hamp have been a sensational duo for a couple years now. Hamp is a finisher with a knack for finding the back of the net. His big frame and good balance make him an exceptional talent.

Nash Leonard, Bay City Senior Goalie 

He’s played in 69 varsity games over his four-year career. That’s second among active goalies in the state. Leonard is having his best season yet, with career highs in goals-against average (2.07) and save percentage (.947), and a major reason why Bay City 13-6-0 this season.

Tyler Boynton-Fisher, Bay Reps Junior Goalie

This kid is an absolute gamer. A compact goalie that competes his face off and gives his team a chance to win every night. Boynton-Fisher has faced 30 or more shots in 11 of his 16 starts this season, playing behind a very young and growing Bay Reps team.

Tim Peterson, Brighton Sophomore Forward

He has a very complete skill set. Peterson is a good skater, with nice puck skills, a great hockey IQ and he’s constantly involved in the play. He’s still young, and there’s some growing to do, but all the tools are there in his game to blossom into a next-level prospect.

Cam George, Brother Rice Senior Defenseman

Missed six games earlier in the season, so this will be my first chance to catch him in action in ‘24-25. George has exceptional skating ability, and moves pucks fluidly from the back end. Roman Villaire and Zach Staelgraeve are noteworthy forwards as well, I’m just a sucker for top-notch defensemen.

Braxton McKee, Byron Center Senior Forward

McKee’s game has really taken off in the last 2-3 months. I watched him in the fall with Michigan Hockey Advancement (MHA), and McKee was good. But since rejoining Byron Center for the regular season, he’s teetered on the edge of great for the Bulldogs. Seventeen goals and 29 points in 18 games so far.

Nathan Londo, Calumet Junior Forward

The Copper Kings are a fun watch. LOTS of high-motor, energy guys that buzz around the rink. Brendan Boberg, Liam Pomroy, Erik Loukus… It’s just a well-coached bunch. Londo is just a personal favorite of mine, being north of 6-foot, he’s a physical force.

Chase Potter, Cap City Junior Forward

The Caps have top-level playmakers at all three levels with Shaun Story in net, Toby Perrault on the blue line and Potter up front, among others. Will Tucker and Roman Barnes have 10 goals apiece. Potter has quick hands and great puck skills with a playing style that projects well to junior hockey and beyond.

Kyle Lynch, Clarkston Senior Forward

The Wolves just went over .500 on the season for the first time, after rattling off three straight wins. Despite the struggles in the win column, Clarkston has two goalies with sub 2.00 goals-against averages, speaking to how sound they are defensively and in net. Defenseman Trey Damian leads the team in points and Kyle Lynch is a fantastic two-way center. 

Ryder Novock, Country Day Senior Forward

You can see his hockey IQ from the stands. Novock is a smart player with a good understanding of the game. He’s identifying opposing players away from the play and closely defending guys without the puck. Love to see that. His 12 goals and 27 points in 14 games this season ain’t too bad either. 

Nick Timko, Cranbrook Senior Forward

Timko quickly passes the eye test with great size and strength. His puck skills are good too, and I love his patience with the puck; he doesn’t rush into bad plays. Creative zone entries, playing with pace and net drives with a purpose are also keys to his game. Having Timko on one line and Gianluca Di Salvo on another gives the Cranes great depth down the middle.

Peter Sanin, Detroit Catholic Central Senior Forward

The strength of the Shamrocks is their back end, with stellar defensemen like Justin Bloink, Sam Wolak and Nick Leiter. But I didn’t get a chance to see Sanin in action last time I watched CC at the KLAA-MIHL Showcase. He was out that game — the only one he’s missed all season — so I’m looking forward to getting a good look at Sanin for the first time in a while.

Vito Cavataio, De La Salle Senior Forward

Had a seven-game point streak snapped last weekend, where he had scored 14 of his 21 points this season. Cavataio and Dylan Blackwood are pests on the forecheck and create a lot of ‘ugly offense’ with their effort below the hash marks and around the net. Very responsible coming out of their own end too, supporting the play appropriately.

James Albers, East Grand Rapids Senior Forward

The Pioneers would be okay if you removed Albers from the lineup; they’re a deep team. But I don’t know where EGR would be without Charlie Finch in net right now. A 1.55 goals-against average and .928 save percentage as a freshman on a Top-10 team is bananas. Keep an eye out for his development, but in the meantime, Albers, Oliver Owen and Brady Ross are one of the best trios in the state.

Nolan Bink, Escanaba Junior Defenseman

I love the Eskymos trio of Bink, Graham Johnson and Cully Hayes. All three have bright futures and potential for playing on. Hell, you could throw in Cale Carter and Owen LaBonte in the mix too. Bink leads the charge for me because of his sheer amount of puck touches and opportunities to make plays from the back end. 

Ayden Cook, Flint Powers Junior Forward

He’s got a point in all but one game this season for the Chargers. Cook is as close to a complete player as you’ll find in Michigan high school hockey right now. He plays with speed, responsible in all three zones, around the play a good amount and has the game on his stick a lot. The tip of a spear that also features Owen Perry, Andrew Parmentier and Andrew Burny.

Ben Mielock, Forest Hills Central Senior Forward

One of only a few Michigan high school hockey players that have already seen junior hockey action in their careers. Mielock played six games in the NCDC earlier this season, and is a point-per-game guy currently for FHC. I’d expect Gibson Grendel to play at a high level somewhere next season as well, and if you could convince Eli Lipke to choose hockey over soccer, he might be capable of a junior hockey career too. Lotta talent here.

Nolan Geno, Forest Hills North-Eastern Sophomore Forward

Slightly off the radar, with Sean Hall, Justin Halverson and Logan Spykerman leading the way offensively. But it was this very event, the MIHL Showcase, where Nolan Geno first caught my attention. He displayed good puck skills and executed the team’s forecheck effectively. Very curious to see how he’s developed one year later.

Bennett Eisma, Grandville Senior Forward

He’s a big kid with good puck skills and hockey senses. Eisma isn’t flashy but is damn sure effective, which is pretty on brand for a Grandville team that gets similar contributions from Landon Smith up front, and Lewis Gardine and Braden VanderVeen on the back end. Ayden Karas’ 1.56 goals-against average is pretty fantastic too.

Cooper Maas, Grand Rapids Catholic Central Junior Forward

The New Year has not been favorable to the Cougars, having won just one of their eight games in 2025. But leading scorer Cooper Maas has been one of their most consistent players this season with 14 goals and 20 points. 

Josh Hooper, Grand Rapids Christian Senior Forward

The team’s leading scorer is coming off of his biggest performance of the season thus far; a five-point outing in a 7-4 win over No. 20 Forest Hills Central. Hooper plays with good pace and his combination of balance and puck skills are excellent. Players to work with like Cam Laufer and Brody Baysore certainly help, and a goalie like Brayden Melinn behind is a great security blanket.

Lucas Reynolds, Grosse Pointe South Junior Forward

He missed more than a month of the season, including the last time I watched Grosse Pointe South in December. But Reynolds has 12 points in just eight games, and at least one point in all but one game that he’s played in thus far. I’m very intrigued to see what he brings to the table for the Blue Devils.

Tevin Stukel, Hancock Sophomore Forward

He was already getting looks from junior teams last summer, and will likely draw even more attention in the coming months. I’ve talked about Stukel’s high motor and desire to do the dirty work for the better part of a year now. Brady Axford is another young prospect to track his progress in the coming months, and Jackson Sintkowski has eight points in the last nine games.

Ian Kastamo, Hartland Senior Forward

The best player in Michigan high school hockey. Period. I haven’t felt that confident about that statement in a particular season in a long time. Kastamo is as close to ‘can’t miss’ as you can get at this level. Ian Evans is an absolute luxury as 2C, with goal scorers like Luca DiGirolamo and Drew L’Esperance. Ty Kraut, Vinnie Sabala… Have your notepad ready. LOTS to watch.

Jace DeForge, Houghton Senior Forward

Last time I saw Houghton, they dropped an underwhelming game 2-1 to East Grand Rapids and I don’t know that that performance was indicative of Jace DeForge, Connor Arko or the Gremlins as a whole. I know they’re better than what I saw that night and I’m excited to see their best effort, especially considering DeForge is riding a seven-game point streak.

Henry Lansky, Howell Senior Goalie

You could watch this team with five different scouts and have five different players singled out. Rory Sturos, Chad Pietila, my personal favorite Luke Storm. There’s a high-level prospect type on Howell for every style of play and need. Henry Lansky may be the most dominant at his position, with an astounding 1.28 goals-against average and .949 save percentage.

Owen Hall, Livonia Stevenson Senior Forward

Hall just does not stop. His motor is always running and he’s involved in the play a lot. He’s one of the most consistent players in the state; you know what you’re getting from him every time Hall is on the ice. Connor Buchanan pairs well with him up front, and Colin Stroble and Dawson Wallis are a strong tandem on the back end as well.

Zach Jaakkola, Lumen Christi Senior Goalie

He does a good job of absorbing shots and eliminating second- or third-chance opportunities. Jaakkola looks bigger than he’s listed, at 5-foot-8, and battles quite well between the pipes. He has made 30 or more saves in 11 games this season, maintaining a 2.11 goals-against average and .938 save percentage.

Seth Sandstrom, Marquette Sophomore Forward

There aren’t typically many Michigan high school hockey prospects on OHL organizations’ radars for the Priority Selection, but every once in a while, one comes along. I think Sandstrom is one that a team could take a late flier on, similar to other current and former MI-HS players like Jack Beardsley (2023), Landon MacDonald (2020) and Dean Loukus (2019). He’s got all the tools and a very high ceiling. Really intrigued by Easton Bal as well — another young prospect — and the Sentinels’ leading scorer Brody Sheldon.

Charlie Price, M-1 United Senior Forward

One prospect in MI-HS hockey who could transition seamlessly to junior hockey. Price is a perfect bottom-six forward type at the next level, similar to Charlie Burchfield from Brighton last season. He can do all the dirty work and thrive in a penalty killing, energy role for almost anyone.

Isaac Nelson, Northville Senior Defenseman

Joined the Mustangs just before Christmas, and put up six points in his first four games. Nelson is an intimidating presence on the back end, listed at 6-foot-2 and 215 pounds. He’s one of the best skating defensemen in the state, even at his size, and watching Nelson and Alex McCallum work on the blue line is a sight to see. It’d be hard to find a D-man in the state definitively better than this duo.

Adam Zielinski, Orchard Lake St. Mary’s Senior Forward

Thaddeus Raynish leads the team in goals (19) and points (28), and Charlie Roberts and Julian Johnston play heavy and hard on the puck. Zielinski is one that puts it all together, with a good motor, great puck skills and nice footwork. He competes well on 50-50 pucks and remains pretty active in the play.

Adrian Clarke, Plymouth Junior Forward

Good jump off the draw that propels him throughout his entire shift. Clarke is all over the ice, maybe too much at times, but I would rather have a busy body than a puck watcher. He’s a point-per-game guy playing on a high-energy line alongside points leader Brayden Irvin (27) and goals leader (JAckson Warzecha (17).

Sawyer Kemp, Port Huron Northern Sophomore Forward

Leads the team in goals (9) and assists (7), with a point in five of the last six games. Kemp already stood out when I saw the Huskies back in December, and appears to be playing some of his best hockey of the season since then. I’ll be curious to see how far he’s come in such a short time.

Connor Forster, Riverview Gabriel Richard Junior Forward

One player with a pretty quick burst. His effort keeps him engaged in all three zones, maintaining good position. Forster enters the MIHL Showcase on an eight-game point streak. Mason Eschelman is another intriguing prospect, still just a sophomore but showcases good skating ability and playing with pace.

Jonah Packard, Rockford Junior Forward

Produces in bunches, with six multi-point games so far this season. The Rams have a 5-1-0 record in those games as well, and Packard leads the team in scoring with 13 goals and 22 points as a junior. He’s been hot in the month of January, and it’s helped lead Rockford to three wins in five games.

Logan Boettcher, Saginaw Heritage Senior Defenseman

He has factored in on half of Heritage’s total offense this season with 25 points in 18 games. Boettcher skates great, handles pucks well and makes smart plays with the puck on his stick. Heritage is having a tough go of it at 4-14-0, but not to long ago, Boettcher was a top D-man for Michigan Hockey Advancement (MHA) in the fall and a standout performer at the 2023 State Final Four. He can flat out play.

Dom Chaput, Salem Senior Forward

The Rocks’ top line can be one of the best in hockey, with Dom Chaput as the pot stirrer, Karsen Patel as the setup man and Nolan Kaminski as the finisher. My attention always seems to be drawn towards the F1 in the equation which obviously tends to be Chaput. But other evaluators would certainly appreciate all three.

Korsen Pace, Sault Ste. Marie Senior Defenseman

Evan Kennedy leads the team in goals (15) and Nick Wood leads in assists (18), with both sharing the points lead (28). Pace, on the other hand, has really good footwork that works in rhythm with his hands and puck movement. He’s very fluid and comfortable on the back end.

Caden Gleason, Sparta Senior Forward

Does a great job of moving with and without the puck. Gleason jumps into scrums, comes out with the puck, moves it to an open man and then bolts to the net to make himself an option as well. Tanner Guerra and Trevor Serba play a similar style as well, speaking volumes about the job that’s been done by the coaching staff.

Graham Peters, Traverse City Central Junior Forward

A strong all-around skill set, playing a full 200-foot game. He’s responsible defensively and positionally sound. Those qualities don’t always lead to the big stat-stuffing numbers you see elsewhere around the state. I’d take Peters over a lot of kids who might have twice the production he has, with 12 points in 18 games. 

Evan Sivi, Trenton Senior Goalie

Started out the season white hot but has cooled off a little as the season’s worn on. Sivi is still the backbone of this Trenton team, and arguably the best goalie prospect in the state when it comes to junior hockey potential for next season. A .909 save percentage and three shutouts in his last five starts.

Nick Gould, University Liggett Junior Forward

He’s great when the play is going north, and can be a real pest on the forecheck. Gould has a point in all but four games this season, and shows an ability to be effective from the wing. Gary Stacy and Griffin Marchal play a similar style as well, with Stacy engaging in all three zones from the center position.

Vance Serdoz, U of D Jesuit Senior Forward

The only Cubs player to eclipse the 10-point mark this season, Serdoz leads the team in goals (nine) and assists (six). Eleven of those points have come in the last eight games, as Serdoz is starting to click in the New Year. 

Nate Dell, White Lake Lakeland Senior Forward

The duo of Dell and Austin Scanlon have combined to score 58 goals and 149 points dating back to last season. Scanlon enters the MIHL Showcase on a 15-game point streak, and Dell — who leads the team in goals (18) and points (35) — plays a very versatile, adaptable style. He’s capable of playing alongside a range of different playing styles.