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Boys Hockey Rankings: Brighton moves up to No. 3, University Liggett, West Ottawa each debut in top 25

By: Sean Baligian, January 28, 2018, 7:44 pm

1. Detroit Catholic Central. The Shamrocks have a 15-0 record in-state after wins over Birmingham Brother Rice, Trenton and U-D Jesuit since our last rankings.
2. Orchard Lake St. Mary’s.  The Eaglets are unbeaten in 12 games with an 11-0-1 mark and a slew of big wins during that time.
3. Brighton. The defending Division 1 champs are red hot with a 7-game, in-state winning streak. 
4. Plymouth. The Wildcats take the top perch in Division 2 by virtue of an 8-game winning streak that has seen them outscore the opposition 47-9.
5. Hancock.  The Bulldogs stay on top of the Division 3 ranks this week, and are riding a 5-game winning streak. 
6. Hartland. The Eagles scored back-to-back big road wins knocking off Northville (3-0) and Livonia Stevenson (6-5) last week.
7. Livonia Stevenson.  The Spartans had their 8-game winning streak snapped against Hartland, but bounced back the next day with a 4-0 win over Howell.
8. Saline. The Hornets are the fourth Division 2 team in our top eight, and boast an outstanding 16-1 record in the top heavy Division 2 ranks.
9. Grandville. Coach Joel Breazeale and the Bulldogs have two big matchups at the Prep Showcase this week when they take on Livonia Stevenson and Brother Rice.
10. Flint Powers. The Chargers stay in our top 10, and remain one of the favorites in Division 3 after going 3-1 since our last rankings.
11. Brother Rice. The defending Division 2 champs rebounded nicely from losses to Catholic Central and O.L. St. Mary’s with a win over Trenton.
12. Utica Eisenhower. The Eagles have two intriguing match ups at the Prep Showcase as they draw a tough Livonia Churchill squad and Saginaw Heritage.
13. Trenton. The Trojans have a big week as they face fellow Division 2 powers Plymouth and Hartland in their backyard at the showcase.
14. Detroit Country Day. The Yellowjackets have now won nine straight, and junior goalie Sam Evola continues to shine game in and game out.
15. Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood. The Cranes have two intriguing match ups at the showcase when they face Grand Rapids Forest Hills North-Eastern and Houghton.
16. Houghton. The Gremlins make the trek down state to take on Cranbrook Kingswood and Dearborn Divine Child at the showcase in two games fans will want to see.
17. Saginaw Heritage. The Hawks are 12-2-1 in-state, and also have two good matchups at the showcase this week when they take on Grand Rapids Christian and Eisenhower.
18. Calumet. The Copper Kings are heating up at the right time, but face a monster schedule this week as they face Hancock, Powers and Warren DeLaSalle.
19. Salem. Coach Ryan Ossenmacher has done a tremendous job with his young squad, and the Rocks have done a great job limiting the opposition as of late, led by junior goalie Austin Goleniak. 
20. Northville. The Mustangs are another squad with two intriguing match ups at the showcase as they take on Forest Hills N-E and Powers.
21. Davison. The Cardinals have a big opportunity to show what they can do in division 2 with match ups looming against Plymouth and Marquette.
22.  DeLaSalle. As if playing in the tough MIHL isn’t enough, the Pilots draw Salem and Calumet at the showcase in Trenton.
23. Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett. The Knights have won five straight, and boast a 13-3 record in-state to debut in our rankings this season.
24. Holland West Ottawa. The Panthers make their debut in our rankings as they have won 9 of 10 to heat up on the west side of the state.
25. Woodhaven. The Warriors make their debut in our rankings after putting together a 12-game winning streak to lead the way in the Metro League West division. 

 

        Breakdown by division: Division 1: 10 Teams Division 2: 7 teams Division 3: 8 teams

 

• Here’s our new additions to our Top 10 players who will likely be considered for the Mr. Hockey award.
• Jake Behnke, Sr., Hartland. Behnke has really developed over the course of his career at Hartland, and his 17 goals in 15 games is a testament to his hard work. After talking to a few opposing coaches, they felt that his progress as a player has gone from good, to exceptional in his senior campaign.
• Jack Chumley, Sr., Plymouth. One of the best players on one of the best teams in the state makes our list. Both Chumley and his teammates have been red hot as of late. Chumley put up back-to-back hat tricks against Northville, with 3 goals and an assist in both games, and now has an eye-popping 17 goals, 27 assists and 44 points in only 18 games.