As the Michigan High School Boys Varsity Ice Hockey Regionals get underway this week, Chelsea Varsity Hockey has already checked off a few more regular season records to add to their ever-accruing list.

On Thursday, February 15, Chelsea beat out Ann Arbor Skyline to win their 11th straight Southeastern Conference (SEC) title; 13th in the 15 years the SEC has been in existence.

In addition to the league title, Head Coach Don Wright celebrated his 300th career win this season, when the Bulldogs took on the West Ottawa Panthers during the Michigan Public High School Hockey Showcase in February. The win comes during the program’s 18th season since becoming a varsity sport. Serving as the program’s only Varsity Head Coach, Wright has been coaching the team since the late 90s.

Chelsea’s record at the end of the 2017-2018 regular season stands at 301-144-35. As the smallest public high school in the lower peninsula that is not a school of choice or co-op team, this record stands as an incredible accomplishment for Coach Wright and the Chelsea program.

Despite its ‘small’ status, Chelsea Hockey has proven season after season that it can compete against any school - public or private -  over the years. In addition to its 11 straight league championships, Chelsea has won 5 Regional Championship titles, and has reached the State Division III Final Four three times.

When asked how Chelsea is able to reach these accomplishments, Wright’s answer is simple: player development. “Each year, we usually have about 20 to 25 students in the school who play hockey.  I think the key is that we have some great young men…and most players are with us for three to four years. Our focus is always on development.”

In addition to its on-ice successes, Chelsea maintains excellent performance in the classroom, as well. In the 17-18 season, Chelsea will be an Academic All-State Team (maintaining a team average over 3.0 GPA) for the 15th year in a row.