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Hockey Final Rankings and Tournament Predictions:
Here are the final rankings as compiled by contributing writer Sean Baligian.
Baligian follows this by making his predictions. Also contributing their predictions are Jon Kidd, senior producer, cameraman and editor of State Champs and Ben Szilagy, who is also a contributing writer.
1. Hartland. The Eagles regain the top spot by virtue of a 3-0-1 mark since our last rankings, including wins over Detroit Catholic Central and Brighton. This might be Coach Rick Gadwa’s most talented squad, which is saying a lot considering the program he has built.
2. Birmingham Brother Rice. The Warriors went 4-1 since our last ranking, and a potential rematch with Hartland in the Division 2 semifinals would be a can’t-miss, and great for the game. Coach Kenny Chaput and his staff did a tremendous job navigating the treacherous waters of the MIHL in their first year at Brother Rice.
3. Flint Powers. The Chargers are 20-1 in state, and 5-0 since our last ranking, outscoring their opponents 30-5 in that time. Coach Travis Perry’s squad remains the team to beat in Division 3.
4. Orchard Lake St Mary’s. The Eaglets make a big jump in our rankings as they are coming off wins against Warren De La Salle and Brother Rice. Coach Brain Klanow’s squad is making a serious case as the team to beat in the top heavy Division 1 ranks.
5. Grosse Pointe South. The third team from Division 2 in our top five, the Blue Devils are peaking at the right time under coach Robert McKillop and capable of going all the way.
6. Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central. The Rangers are 15-0-2 since suffering their only loss of the season, a 2-1 defeat to Powers. Coach Kevin Zaschak deserves coach of the year consideration in Division 3.
7. Detroit Catholic Central. The Shamrocks went 3-1 since our last rankings, with the only loss to Hartland. Coach Brandon Kaleniecki’s squad will be ready for all challengers as the Shamrocks look to capture their fourth consecutive championship, and the second straight for Kaleniecki.
8. Northville. The Mustangs have been on a tear, going 13-2-1 in their last 16 games. A thrilling win over Brighton last week served notice to the Division 1 contenders that coach Clint Robert’s team will be a tough out at playoff time.
9. Calumet. The Copper Kings started the season 0-4, but have gone on a 17-2-1 since and have established themselves as one of the best in Division 3.
10. Brighton. The Bulldogs are certainly a big part of the top heavy portion of the Division 1 ranks. The schedule they play always makes them tough at playoff time.
11. Livonia Churchill. The Chargers are at 17-7 overall, and 4-1 since our last ranking, including a split with arch rival Livonia Stevenson. Coach Jason Reynolds has a team that have the potential of advancing to the Division 2 championship game.
12. Livonia Stevenson. The Spartans have been to the Division 2 finals three of the last four seasons under coach Dave Mitchell. Stevenson it all in 2013. The Spartans boast one of the best goalies in the state in junior Will Tragge and are capable of pushing their opponents to the limit with their tenacious work.
13. Hancock. The defending Division 3 champs are heating up at the right time in an attempt to defend that title.
14. Warren De La Salle. The brutal MIHL slate, coupled with the coaching of Craig Staskowski, in his first season at De La Salle, has made the Pilots one of the favorites to get to the Division 3 semifinals at USA Hockey Arena.
15. Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood. Health has been the single reason the Cranes were notably absent from our rankings in recent weeks. They are now starting to get healthy, and if they are close to 100 percent coach Andy Weidenbach’s squad is capable of yet another trip to USA Hockey Arena.
16. Trenton. The Trojans are riding a season-high, four-game winning streak into an MIHL showdown with Cranbrook on Friday. Coach Chad Clements squad could very well end up back in the Division 2 semifinals.
17. East Grand Rapids. The Pioneers remain a dangerous team in the Division 3 ranks as the Pioneers have compiled an 18-5 mark on the season.
18. Salem. The Rocks make their debut in the rankings by virtue of a recent 7-1-1 stretch. Coach Ryan Ossenmacher continues to get the most from his guys and they are a team to watch in Division 2.
19. Saginaw Heritage. The Hawks went 3-1-1 since our last ranking, and have an impressive 15-4-1 record against in-state opponents.
20. Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard. Riding a 19-game winning streak, the Irish have an impressive 21-2 record. Do not be shocked to see this club at USA Hockey Arena in the Division 3 semifinals.
21. Plymouth. The Wildcats are coming off a split with powerful Northville, and the pre-regional matchup with Salem has been a dandy of a game in the past.
22. Detroit Country Day. Coach Frank Novock has his Yellowjackets playing their best hockey at the right time, as they have won 7-of-8 to debut in our rankings.
23. Lake Orion. The Dragons have won 4-of-5 and coach Nick Field has one of the top teams in Division 1.
24. Allen Park. The Jaguars have an impressive 18-5-1 mark and yet are another Division 3 squad capable of knocking off anybody come playoff time.
25. Marquette. Marquette is coming off a big win at Houghton and there’s more than an outside shot that Marquette will make another appearance at USA Hockey Arena in the Division 2 semifinals.
Fearless Predictions
Sean Baligian
Division 1
Final Four
Orchard Lake St. Mary’s over Northville
Detroit Catholic Central over Grandville
Championship game: Catholic Central over St. Mary’s
Division 2
Final Four
Livonia Churchill over Marquette
Hartland over Birmingham Brother Rice
Championship game: Hartland over Churchill
Division 3 Final Four
Flint Powers over Calumet
Warren De La Salle over Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard
Championship game: Powers over De La Salle.
Jon Kidd
Division 1
Final Four
O.L. St. Mary’s over Northville vs. OLSM
Detroit C.C. over Grandville
Championship game: St. Mary’s over C.C.
Division 2
Final Four
Trenton over Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern-Eastern
Hartland over Brother Rice
Championship game: Hartland over Trenton
Division 3
Final Four
Flint Powers over Hancock
De La Salle over Chelsea
Championship game: Powers over De La Salle
Ben Szilagy
Division 1
Final Four
Detroit C.C. over Grandville
Brighton over Cranbrook Kingswood
Championship game: Brighton over C.C.
Division 2
Final Four
Hartland over Brother Rice
Trenton over Muskegon Mona Shores
Championship game: Hartland over Trenton
Division 3
Final Four
Flint Powers over Hancock
De La Salle over Riverview Gabriel Richard
Championship game: Finals: Powers over De La Salle
