MIHL Announces Teams for the 2018 MIHL Prep Hockey Showcase

The Michigan Interscholastic Hockey League (MIHL) Selection Committee is proud to announce the 42 teams that have been selected to participate in the 2018 MIHL Prep Hockey Showcase which will be held Thursday, February 1st, Friday, February 2nd and Saturday, February 3rd.  The MIHL, the City of Trenton and Trenton Public Schools will host the Showcase at the Kennedy Ice Arena in Trenton, Michigan.

Both East Grand Rapids and Saline will be returning to the Showcase after an absence of a few years.  This fits right in with the original goal of the Selection Committee according to Scott Lock, “We knew when we started the Showcase that the teams involved would change every year – new teams would be added, some teams would not be selected every year but may return in later years.  It is the best way to keep the high level of competition year in and year out.”

“The selection process is getting more challenging every year as the level of play in Michigan high school hockey advances.  In order to attract the scouting community, which is essential to meeting one of the objectives, we need quality teams and high skill level players participating in the Showcase. These new teams provide that element by adding to the strong competition and good sportsmanship that are the hallmarks of the Showcase,” explained Lock, Chairman of the Selection Committee.

How successful has the Showcase Selection process been in attracting top teams in the state?  Using the 2017 MHSAA State Tournament as a barometer, it’s been very successful: all 3 of the State Championship teams played in the Prep Showcase: Brighton High School (Division I), Brother Rice (Division II) and De La Salle (Division III).  Additionally, all 6 of the state finalists and 10 of the 12 semifinalists played in the 2017 Showcase.  Playing in the Showcase can be a great preparation for the State tournament!

Change is nothing new to the MIHL Prep Hockey Showcase.  What started out as a two day, two-rink, 12 team event in Troy has grown into a three day, three rink, 40 team showcase of the finest talent in high school hockey from Michigan and surrounding areas.  The Showcase is engrained in Trenton, the entire Trenton hockey community is involved. While the 2001 Showcase attracted only a few scouts from junior teams – the attraction and importance of the event to the scouting community has grown as over 80 scouts in attendance at the 2017 Showcase.  Most USHL and NAHL teams were represented as were several Division III college hockey teams.  Scouts representing many of the leading Division I college hockey programs in the area were in attendance and there were several scouts representing NHL teams.

 Changes over the years have enhanced the fan experience: free off-site parking made parking less of a challenge and alleviated the congestion in the lots at the rink and online live updates to the scores of each game provides instant results to outstate fans. In 2012, the MIHL Scholarship, which is awarded annually during the MIHL Prep Hockey Showcase, was renamed “The David Mannino Scholarship” to honor the 2011 U of D Jesuit graduate.

Scheduling will be completed in January, 2018 to insure competitive matchups consistent with the mission of the MIHL Prep Hockey Showcase – that is, to have the best teams and the most skilled players showcase their abilities and talents in a two game competitive atmosphere.

MIHL President Andy Weidenbach summed it up, “If we look at where we started and where we are today, the MIHL is very proud of what it has accomplished.  All teams, players and coaches of high school hockey in Michigan have benefitted.  When it was formed, the mission of the MIHL was to promote quality hockey, strong competition and good sportsmanship.  The Showcase is one of the results of that mission.  The MIHL would like to thank all of the schools, coaches, players and supporters who have joined with us to make the MIHL Prep Hockey Showcase what it is today.”

2018 MIHL Prep Hockey Showcase

Participating Teams