STATE CHAMPS! | 2025–26 Top 20 Hockey Rankings — DCC, Howell & Hartland Lead the Top 3

STATE CHAMPS!! 2025-’26 Boys Hockey Rankings – Week 12-15-25

Written by Sean Baligian
12/15/2025 
 

1. Detroit Catholic Central (Division 1)

You could make a compelling argument for 3 teams at #1, CC beat Howell, Hartland beat CC, and Howell beat Hartland. I will give the slight nod at this point to the defending D-1 Champion Shamrocks.  Keep an eye on goalie and Wall Award candidate Nicholas Kogut.

2. Howell (Division 1)

The Highlanders had 2 top 10 wins in the past week, beating Livonia Stevenson and Orchard Lake St. Mary’s. Keep an eye on defenseman and STATE CHAMPS! Player of the Year candidate Chad Pietila.
 
3. Hartland (Division 1)
 
What a tremendous job John Brown has done so far with the Eagles as they are off to a 10-1 start. Keep an eye on goalie and STATE CHAMPS! Wall Award candidate Vinnie Sabala.
 
4. Flint Powers (Division 2)
 
The Defending D-2 Champs are loaded again, and off to an 8-1 start under Coach Travis Perry. Keep an eye on forward Ayden Cook who’s in our Top 10 for the STATE CHAMPS! Player of the Year Award.
 

5. Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (Division 3)

The defending D-3 Champs are off to an 8-2 start and are showing a lot of offense early. Keep an eye on forward Thaddeus Raynish who’s in the Player of the Year Race. 

6. Livonia Stevenson (Division 2)

Coach Jay Thompson has the Spartans at 6-2 after a win against Trenton on Saturday. Keep an eye on defenseman Colin Stroble.

7. Cranbrook (Division 3)

The Cranes are off to a 7-3 start, and remain one of the favorites in D-3. Keep an eye on forward Efe Oztorun.

 8. Grandville (Division 2)

The Bulldogs have won 3 straight to improve to 6-1-1 on the year. Keep an eye on forward Landon Smith.

9. Utica Eisenhower (Division 1)

The Eagles were one of the most talked about teams at the start of the season, and living up to it so far. Keep an eye on forward Joey Zelenak.

10. Escanaba (Division 3)

The UP has been wild so far this year, it seems everybody is beating everybody else up there, but the Eskymos have won 4 straight, and 
scored 25 goals in that span. Keep an eye on defenseman Nolan Bink.

11. Trenton (Division 2)

Huge week for the Trojans as they travel up north to take on Calumet and Houghton. Keep an eye on STATE CHAMPS! Player of the Year candidate Donovan Durbin..

12. Mattawan (Division 2)

The Wildcats are 13-0 and have two huge tests this week with Cap City and Livonia Stevenson. Keep an eye on goalie Gavin Wiech.

13. Muskegon Mona Shores (Division 1)

The Sailors are off to a 6-1-1 start, and winners of 4 straight. Keep an eye on forward Eli Habletler.

14. Detroit Country Day (Division 3)

Coach Frank Novock has his Yellowjackets off to a 9-2 start, and riding a 5 game win streak. Keep an eye on goalie Bonner Upshaw.

15. Calumet (Division 3)

The Copper Kings are off to a 5-2-1 start,, and a week that saw them beat Houghton and Jeffers. Keep an eye on forward Nathan Londo.

16. Liggett (Division 3)

The Knights are off to an 11-2 and riding an 8 game win streak. Keep an eye on forward Nick Gould. 

17. Divine Child (Division 3)

The Falcons are off to an 8-1 start, and winners of 7 straight. Keep an eye on forward Brody McNamara. 

18. East Grand Rapids (Division 3)

Coach Newton has another dangerous Pioneers team looking for another trip to USA Hockey Arena in D-3. Keep an eye on goalie and Wall Award candidate Ryder Owen.

19. Rochester United (Division 2)

Tucker Penning continues to do a great job with his squad as they are off to a 10-2 start. Keep an eye on F Nolan Hizer.

20. Northville (Division 1)

The Mustangs are off to a 5-3 start in the tough KLAA. Keep an eye on forward Tommy Marinoff.

Knocking on the door: Brighton, Jeffers, Houghton, Alpena, Cap City, St Clair Shores Unified, Huron Valley, Kalamazoo United, Bay City, Caledonia