As coaches, we talk with our players a lot about ‘the process’ and how development as an individual takes time. Similarly, the growth of a program doesn’t happen at the snap of a finger either. And, while we’re still in the early stages of the season, there’s several programs that have shown significant strides since last winter in terms of on-ice success. 

Grand Blanc

Ranked seventh-to-last in the state at the end of the ‘22-23 season, Grand Blanc has nearly matched its win total year-over-year. A 5-2-0 start this winter is the program’s best start to a season on record on The Hub. four-year senior Mason Wisniewski leads the Bobcats in scoring with four goals and 13 points.

Temperance Bedford

After losing their opening-night game to out-of-state Clay High School in Ohio, Bedford’s put together a four-game winning streak. That is the Kicking Mules’ longest unbeaten streak since achieving the feat three times in the ‘18-19 season. Fueled by top scorers Cobin Stelmaszak, Carter Klawonn and Cam Devine, Bedford needs just one more win to match its win total from last winter.

Ann Arbor Pioneer

Speaking of matching win totals, a 6-2-0 start to this season has already doubled the Pioneers’ win total from last winter. Wins over Saline, Ann Arbor Huron, Ann Arbor Skyline, Riverview-Cabrini and Divine Child — all teams they lost to the previous season. Max Khomutin has 16 points, and goalie Nick Huston has been in net for all six victories thus far. Remember, Pioneer is a program not far removed from a 20-win season in ‘19-20.

Farmington United

A 5-3-0 record is Farmington United’s best start in six years. In ‘18-19, a 7-1-0 start led to an 18-win season; a mark that coach Anthony Leitz is certainly working towards with the current group. The team’s plus-27 goal differential is a drastic improvement from last season, thanks to the offensive efforts of Ryan Elenich, Brady Brink and Owen Sims. Elenich currently ranks second in the state in points (22).

Petoskey

Two years removed from a 20-win season, and five years removed from the program’s first ever regional championship. Petoskey is out to a 5-1-1 start this season, looking to get back to the Northmen’s winning ways. Noah Bodurka, Anderson Ward and Madden Patemen each average a point per game, and more than half the team has already scored at least one goal. Not to mention, a near 50/50 split in net has led both Evan Kring and Nick Timm to record multiple wins each as well.

Lenawee United

In five seasons, Lenawee had never won more than five games before winter break; this season’s team has already won eight. In fact, Lenawee is currently on a seven-game win streak, going back to Nov. 25th. That’s not only among the longest active win streaks in the state, but also ties a program record. 

South Lyon Unified

Their 5-1-0 start to the season is the polar opposite of South Lyon’s 0-7-1 record they got out to last winter. Captain Gavin Mulcahy has 11 goals and 18 points to lead the team, and junior goaltender Ethan Schamberger has basically cut his career goals-against average in half at 3.01 through six starts. Their only blemish thus far is a mere 4-3 loss at the hands of Lakes Valley conference rival White Lake Lakeland.

Sparta

Formerly known as Northview, the co-op program changed its host school to Sparta. Probably not due to the name change, but the newly minted Spartans are 7-2-0 with a six-game win streak. A stark contrast to the team’s 9-17-0 record from a season ago. Caden Gleason leads the offense with 11 goals and 20 points, but 12 other teammates have also found the back of the net already this winter. The Spartans have a wealth of offensive threats and a junior goalie in Trevor Vance who’s out to a career year as well.

Port Huron Northern

The Huskies won five games total last season. It took coach Lewis Nowakowski’s squad just six games into ‘23-24 to match that win total this winter. A trio of seniors provide PHN with a tough top forward line. Brycen Smith, Kyren Bruno and Tim Monaghan have scored 21 of the Huskies’ 34 goals through the first six games of the season. An average of 5.67 goals per game is more than double the team’s total from a year ago.

Kenowa Hills

Last season ended on a 10-game losing streak to close out the ‘22-23 campaign. Still a relatively young squad with just four seniors on the roster, Kenowa Hills opened this season with three straight wins. Their record now sits at 4-3-0 with a goal differential of plus-19. Both Cody Palmer and Jared Lang have save percentages north of 91.0 percent and senior Jack Jeffreys has scored three hat tricks in five games.

Romeo

The Bulldogs finished last season with a winning record, one game above the .500-mark. Given their start to this season, though, it certainly seems like Romeo has its sights set even higher. They opened the ‘23-24 season on a seven-game win streak with victories over Lake Orion and Portage, to name a few. With one of the largest rosters in the state, 16 skaters have scored a goal and 21-of-22 have recorded a point. Plus, three different goalies have also picked up victories in net. Not only is it a long lineup list, but seemingly everyone is contributing too.

M-1 United

From six games below .500 a season ago, to being one of eight teams in the state to be undefeated at present day. The Griffins are 6-0-0 this season. If that sounds familiar, it’s because in ‘21-22, M-1 got out to a similar 7-0-0 start. That team fell to Salem in the regional final, but this year’s team certainly has higher aspirations. Charlie Price, Griffin Pryzbylo and Kyle Paswater were first-year players on that 20-win team from two seasons ago. Now, that trio makes up the leadership group, and accounts for 27 points as they look to replicate the program’s success one more time.