- Michigan
HOCKEY RANKINGS: Shamrocks stay No. 1; Salem, Birmingham Unified, GR Catholic Central jump into top 25
Here are the top 25 teams in Michigan, as of the week of Jan. 16, 2022:
1 Novi Detroit Catholic Central (D1, 12-1)
Last Ranking: 1
How dominant have the Shamrocks been? They have only given up seven goals en route to a 12-0 record against in-state opponents.
Up next: At No. 11 Brother Rice Wednesday, at No. 5 Orchard Lake St. Mary’s Friday.
2 Hartland (D2, 12-3)
Last Ranking: 6
The Eagles are riding a five-game win streak that saw them outscore opponents 27-4 in that stretch.
This week: Host No. 5 Orchard Lake St. Mary’s Wednesday, Westside Invitational at No. 19 Byron Center over the weekend.
3 Riverview Gabriel Richard (D3, 14-3-1)
Last Ranking: 2
The Pioneers are 13-2-1 in-state, and sophomore goalie Ryan Rainey has been stellar between the pipes.
This week: Host Allen Park Thursday.
4 Warren De La Salle (D3, 12-2-1)
Last Ranking: 5
The Pilots are riding a six-game unbeaten streak, and senior goalie Andrew Parmentier has been outstanding all season.
This week: Two games up in Sault Ste. Marie against Sault Ste. Marie and Traverse City West.
5 Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (D3, 8-1)
Last Ranking: 9
The Eaglets have a three-game win streak, outscoring opponents 10-0 in that time. Senior goalie Kely Kane is unbeaten at 7-0, and has only give up two goals on the season.
This week: At Hartland Wednesday, host No. 1 Novi Detroit Catholic Central Friday.
6 Livonia Stevenson (D2, 13-2)
Last Ranking: 10
The Spartans are riding a seven-game win streak, and have outscored opponents 37-10 in that time.
This week: At Livonia Franklin Wednesday, Host No. 18 Livonia Churchill Friday, at Howell Saturday.
7 Flint Powers (D3, 10-4)
Last Ranking: 7
The Chargers gave No. 1 Novi Detroit Catholic Central all it could handle in a 2-0 loss, and are being led by junior Mason Czarnecki with 23 points in 14 games.
This week: Host Lapeer Wednesday, East Grand Rapids Friday and Detroit Country Day Saturday.
8 Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook-Kingswood (D3, 7-3-1)
Last Ranking: 8
The defending Division 3 champs are poised at another run in the incredibly tough D-3 ranks, and they are being led by senior Graham Turner with 10 goals and 18 points.
This week: At Detroit U-D Jesuit on Friday.
9 Muskegon Mona Shores (D2, 13-2)
Last Ranking: 4
The Sailors bounced back after a loss to Birmingham Unified with wins over Canton and East Grand Rapids.
This week: At Grand Rapids Christian Wednesday, at Forest Hills Central Friday.
10 Marquette (D2, 12-3-1)
Last Ranking: 3
The Redmen should make things interesting in Division 2 come playoff time, and are being led by junior Jacob Garrow with seven goals and 23 points in 15 games.
This week: Host Negaunee Thursday.
11 Birmingham Brother Rice (D2, 6-6)
Last Ranking: 13
Two big wins up north against No. 11 Calumet and No. 16 Houghton, and the Warriors are ready to defend their Division 2 championship come playoff time. Junior linemates Peter Rosa and Andrew Marone lead the way with 23 points each.
This week: Host No. 1 Novi Detroit Catholic Central Wednesday and host No. 23 Trenton Friday.
12 Brighton (D1, 9-5-1)
Last Ranking: 14
The Bulldogs won three of four since our last ranking, and are being led by senior Nick Baker with 12 goals and 21 points.
This week: At Salem Wednesday, Host Canton Saturday.
13 Calumet (D3, 9-5)
Last Ranking: 11
The Copper Kings bounced back nicely from the loss to No. 13 Brother Rice with a 2-1 win over Detroit U-D Jesuit. Junior Aksel Loukus continues to be one the best goalies in the state.
This week: At Painesdale-Jeffers Tuesday, at Escanaba Saturday.
14 Houghton (D3, 10-5)
Last Ranking: 16
The Gremlins took four of five since our last ranking, and are being led by junior Camden Markham, who has 21 goals and 38 point on the season.
This week: At Kingsford Thursday, Host No. 21 Grandville Friday.
15 Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett (D3, 9-4)
Last Ranking: 18
The Knights went 2-1 since our last ranking, and this is a team that can score, scoring six or more goals eight times already this year.
This week: At Bishop Foley United Friday.
16 Grosse Pointe South (D3, 7-4-3)
Last Ranking: 12
The Blue Devils remain a very dangerous team, as evidenced by a 1-1 tie against No. 4 Warren De La Salle. Senior Jake Spitz is having an outstanding season on the blue line.
This week: At No. 23 Trenton on Tuesday.
17 Salem (D1, 9-5)
Last Ranking: N/R
The Rocks have been on fire, winning six straight and being led by senior Alex Mazzuca with 11 goals and 20 points. Head coach Ryan Ossenmacher deserves coach of the year consideration yet again.
This week: Host No. 12 Brighton Wednesday, at Northville Saturday.
18 Livonia Churchill (D3, 6-1-3)
Last Ranking: 15
The Chargers shook off their first loss of the year to Salem with an OT win over Novi. Senior Dom Krupinski has 14 goals and 19 points in only 10 games.
This week: At Plymouth Wednesday, at No. 6 Livonia Stevenson Friday.
19 Byron Center (D2, 9-5-1)
Last Ranking: 17
The Bulldogs went 2-2 since our last ranking, and are being led by junior Brady Breit with 11 goals and 15 points.
This week: Hosting Hartand and the Westside Invitational
20 Birmingham Unified Kings (D2, 10-3-1)
Last Ranking: N/R
The Kings opened up some eyes with a 5-4 win over No. 9 Mona Shores, and are riding a six-game unbreaten streak at 5-0-1.
This week: Host Plymouth Friday, Host Lake Orion Saturday.
21 Grandville (D1, 12-2)
Last Ranking: 19
The Bulldogs bounced back from a loss to Milford with two convincing wins, over No. 21 Alpena and No. 24 Saginaw Heritage. Senior Brendan Bourne is putting together a solid season with 12 goals and 34 points in 14 games.
This week: At No. 14 Houghton Friday, at Hancock Saturday.
22 Saginaw Heritage (D1, 9-5)
Last Ranking: 24
The Hawks went 3-1 since our last ranking, and are being led by junior Mason Cole, who has eight goals and 30 points in 30 games.
This week: At No. 24 Grand Rapids Catholic Central Friday, at Rockford Saturday.
23 Trenton (D2, 8-6)
Last Ranking: 20
The Trojans shook off a loss to No. 6 Livonia Stevenson and started a three-game win streak. Senior Hayden Oboza is leading the way with 11 goals and 24 points.
This week: Host No. 16 Grosse Pointe South on Tuesday.
24 Grand Rapids Catholic Central (D3, 6-8-1)
Last Ranking: N/R
The Cougars play a very difficult slate, and they have played everybody tough as well. Sophomore Trent Goheen has been solid in the nets with a 1.60 goals-against average.
This week: At the Westside Invitational against No. 22 Saginaw Heritage Friday, and No. 25 Midland Dow Saturday.
25 Midland Dow (D3, 7-3-2)
Last Ranking 23
A tie with No. 3 Riverview Gabriel Richard showed everybody how good this Charger team is. Senior Billy VanSumeren is having a fantastic season with 19 goals and 29 points in 11 games.
This week: Host Bay City Wednesday, at Forest Hills NE Friday, at No. 24 Grand Rapids Catholic Central Saturday.
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Dropped out: No. 21 Alpena; No. 22 Traverse City Central; No. 25 M-1 Griffins United
