It’s not exactly the halfway point of the season, but winter break typically feels like the separator between the front nine and back nine of the hockey calendar. We’ve seen enough action thus far to draw significant conclusions about teams and players, formulating opinions on how the remainder of the season will unfold.

Different from my Top 100 Names to Know in Michigan high school hockey, I wanted to call out some of the best first-year performers we’ve seen making their debuts to the high school hockey scene this winter. For the Top 100, I’ve watched a lot of those players for over a year, two, even three years in some instances. However, that list leaves out many of the ‘rookies’ who will make significant contributions, and should be considered among the best in our sport as well.

While I got to see many of these guys in action prior to their high school hockey debuts, I prefer to see them play at this level first, view how they fit in with their new team, and then draw conclusions.

What’s unique about this group is you have 14-year-old freshmen and 18-year-old seniors all considered first-year players. Some are making bigger statistical contributions than others. Others have completely shifted the trajectory of their program. A lot of them are high-level prospects. All have made an immediate impact.

Let’s take a look at my Top 25 Newcomers to Michigan high school hockey:

25. Logan Scheidt, Lakes Area United

Started his varsity career on a six-game point streak, with six goals and 17 points in that stretch. Scheidt — playing alongside older brother Brady — has Lakes Area out to a 9-2-0 record; United’s best start in program history. 

24. Braden Hillebrand, South Lyon Unified

South Lyon graduated 11 seniors last spring, losing 62.3 percent of its offense from a season ago. A big void to fill, but former 15U Belle Tire AAA player, Braden Hillebrand, has produced in bunches. Seven multi-point games thus far, with eight goals and 24 points.

23. Jakob Aron, Grand Rapids Catholic Central

He’s played against five Top-25 opponents already, most recently posting a 30-save, 2-0 shutout over No. 17 Grandville. Jakob Aron has an 8-3-0 record, having played in all but three minutes of the Cougars’ season so far. His victory over Grandville was his fourth shutout of his young career, with a 1.93 goals-against average and .920 save percentage.

22. Easton Bal, Marquette

Half of Bal’s 12 points have come against Top-25 opponents this season. Sophomore Seth Sandstrom and Bal are second and third on the No. 16-ranked Sentinels in scoring 13 games in. The future looks bright for Marquette both in the short- and long-term with these two. 

21. Carter Dominowski, Kalamazoo Eagles

A 30-point producer not once, but twice for Fox Motors AAA 15s and 16s. Carter Dominowski has good size, demonstrates skill with and without the puck and his hockey IQ is visible from the stands. He’s got seven points on record through his first six games, and I’d hate to see Kalamazoo’s lineup without him in it. 

20. Reece Hutcheson, Brighton

Replacing a guy who had made 51 career games and two Division-I state final appearances is a big ask. But first-year junior Reece Hutcheson has quietly laid the foundation for one of the best starts among goalies in the KLAA this season. A 2.07 goals-against average and .923 save percentage having played against seven teams ranked in the Top 25.

19. Matthew Brick, Eastside

His 14 goals in a three-game stretch against Walled Lake, Ann Arbor Skyline and Traverse City Central drew statewide attention. Matthew Brick currently has 17 goals and 23 points in his first nine games of varsity hockey. A former 18U Biggby AAA prospect, Brick has been a goal scorer at every level.

18. Levi Young, Lakeshore

Tied for third in the state in goals with 19 in 10 games. Levi Young has scored in all but two games for the Badgers this season, propelling the program to a 6-4-0 start. That’s more wins in two months than Lakeshore had in the previous two years! His impact is undeniable.

17. Adam Zielinski, Orchard Lake St. Mary’s

Adam Zielinski has great puck skills, is very active in the play and earns himself a lot of puck touches. His six points in six games to start the season should come as no surprise. One of the more talented players on a team that works hard and competes with every line on the roster.

16. Shaun Story, Cap City

He’s big, listed at 6-foot-3, and may get bigger. Shaun Story has great rebound control and seems to swallow up pucks. Made 36 saves in a 1-0 shutout win over No. 9 Cranbrook, but what I love about him most is his ability to come out and play the puck smart and effectively.

15. Efe Oztorun, Cranbrook

A member of Turkey’s U20 World Junior Championship team last season, Efe Oztorun has paired well on senior Nick Timko’s wing. Oztorun is a finisher, with a team-high 11 goals, including both tallies in the Cranes’ 3-2 loss to No. 1 Detroit Catholic Central.

14. Brayden Buckler, Rochester United

The first-year sophomore has 10 goals and 19 points this season. Brayden Buckler’s biggest performance came in a three-point game against a good Hudsonville team. They’re 8-3-1 this season, but I’m not sure where RU would be without Buckler’s presence and ability in the lineup.

13. Vinnie Sabala, Hartland

How do you lose two starters at the position but somehow get better? Vinnie Sabala. That’s how. In seven starts, Sabala has faced five ranked opponents, posted a 6-1-0 record with three shutouts, a .954 save percentage and sub-1.00 goals-against average. He’s playing behind a damn good team, but his play thus far has been near perfect.

12. Owen Perry, Flint Powers

The best freshman in the state. Question mark? There aren’t many freshmen in the regular rotation of ‘Power 5’ type programs in the state this season. Much less, ones who are producing double-digit points against Top-25 teams. That’s exactly what Owen Perry has done skating on a line with Ayden Cook.

11. Isaiah House, Brother Rice

He was playing on the Minnesota Bantam AA circuit last winter, and stepped in to be the Warriors’ leading scorer 10 games into this season. Isaiah House is a significant contributor from the right wing on Rice’s top line. Should he continue leading the team in scoring, House would be the second sophomore to do so in the last 10 seasons (Andrew Marone, ‘20-21).

10. Isaac Embury, Lakeshore

His five-point performance in an 8-5 win over East Kentwood helped snap Lakeshore’s 43-game losing streak. The Badgers are now 6-5-0 this season, and Isaac Embury’s 39 points are a big reason for that. A member of Victory Honda’s 16U AAA team that went to 2024 USA Hockey Nationals, Embury hopes to bring some of his winning ways to west Michigan.

9. Donovan Durbin, Trenton

A fantastic pure scorer with nine goals and 19 points, leading the Trojans through 11 games. Donovan Durbin has seven points against Top-25 teams and will begin 2025 on an active six-game point streak. He quickly established himself as Trenton’s go-to guy this season.

8. Cash Soulliere, De La Salle

Speaking of pure goal scorers, standout junior Cash Soulliere began his varsity career with a five-game goal streak and has eight goals in 10 games. He’s found the back of the net against five ranked opponents and is the Pilots’ most dangerous offensive threat.

7. Charles Finch, East Grand Rapids

Just a freshman who’s already faced against six teams currently ranked in the Top 25. Charles Finch has played all but 60 seconds of EGR’s season, with a 1.91 goals-against average, .920 save percentage and a 9-2-0 record for the No. 7-ranked Pioneers. He keeps this up, and Finch may be the biggest story of the season! 

6. Nino Suhy, Detroit Catholic Central

The most talented and skilled player on CC with the puck on his stick. Nino Suhy flashes quick hands, bursts of explosiveness and rare puck skills. He’s got six goals and 10 points playing on the Shamrocks’ second line and top power-play unit. Their schedule is only going to get tougher and he’s only going to get better.

5. Nolan Kaminski, Salem

Another member of Victory Honda’s 16U USA Hockey Nationals team last spring, Kaminski may be the best finisher in the state. He doesn’t need a lot of time or space to make you pay, producing 15 goals and 22 points playing the 14th toughest strength of schedule so far this season.

4. Luke Storm, Howell

I’ve watched Howell twice this season and couldn’t get enough of this kid. In both of those games, Luke Storm was held off the scoresheet but his impact on the game was undeniable. He’s a complete player with mesmerizing puck skills, great skates and he can do it all at top speed. What I loved most is his nose for the net, taking it strong to the crease like a post player in basketball. All eight of his points have come in the Highlanders’ last seven games, meaning he’s only just getting started.

3. Bennett Eisma, Grandville

One of my absolute favorites among newcomers this fall. Former 18U Fox Motors AAA standout Bennett Eisma started his varsity career with points in seven of his first eight games. He leads the Bulldogs with 16 points, and they have an 8-1-0 record when he gets on the scoresheet.

2. Henry Lansky, Howell

A ton of buzz around Henry Lansky coming into the season. He came from a Top-25 nationally ranked Oakland Jr. Grizzlies team, where he posted a 2.14 goals-against average and .912 save percentage as one of the best goaltenders in MI-AAA. In 10 starts at the high school level, Lansky is 7-2-1 with a 1.16 goals-against average and .951 save percentage while playing against seven ranked opponents.

1. Justin Bloink, Detroit Catholic Central

May have the highest potential of anyone on this list. Justin Bloink’s skating ability, puck movement and understanding of the game make him a promising junior hockey prospect. He displays good deception and footwork, while also being stout defensively with tight gaps. Bloink has a point in five of CC’s last six games, including a pair of assists in the team’s 2-1 win over Notre Dame Academy (WI).