The Michigan Interscholastic Hockey League (MIHL), the city of Trenton and Trenton Public Schools have teamed up to present the Nineteenth Annual MIHL Prep Hockey Showcase.  The Showcase, which features 42 top ranked high school hockey teams and players from Michigan, Wisconsin and Ohio, will be held over three days:  Thursday January 31st, Friday February 1st and Saturday February 2nd. 

The Showcase is an important event that supports the mission of the Michigan Interscholastic Hockey League.  MIHL President, Andy Weidenbach states, “The main goal of the MIHL is to promote quality high school hockey, strong competition and sportsmanship.  The Showcase complements that mission. The first eighteen Showcases were tremendous successes and we are very optimistic about this year’s event.  High school hockey in Michigan has experienced tremendous growth; accordingly, the Showcase has expanded from 12 to 42 teams so that we can continue our mission of providing exposure of the best in high school hockey.”

The MIHL Prep Hockey Showcase, clearly the premier high school hockey event of the season, benefits the teams, players, fans and scouts.  Competition is at a very high level and the fans will see some very exciting and entertaining games. Individual players get exposure to Junior A and college scouts and, in turn, the scouts are able to observe the largest accumulation of high school hockey talent in the state.  Most of the Top Ten Rated (MHSHCA High School Hockey Rankings) teams in each of the three divisions will be participating in the 2019 Showcase (6 of the Top Ten rated teams in Division I, 7 of the Top Ten in Division II and 9 out of the Top Ten in Division III).

How successful has the Showcase Selection process been in attracting top teams in the state?  Using the 2018 MHSAA State Tournament as a barometer, it’s been very successful: two of the State Championship teams played in the Prep Showcase: Brighton High School (Division I) and Hartland (Division II).  Additionally, five of the state finalists and nine of the semifinalists played in the 2018 Showcase.  Playing in the Showcase can be great preparation for the MHSAA State tournament!

Over the last few years, there have been some positive developments in Michigan high school hockey as more and more of its players are showing up on the rosters of junior teams and Division I colleges. Several college coaches have commented that scouting the state of Michigan for hockey talent definitely includes high school players, noting that the MIHL Prep Hockey Showcase allows them to see the best teams and players in the state in a highly competitive environment. The general consensus is that it is a very well organized event that allows the scouts to do their jobs efficiently.  Many coaches and scouts comment that the MIHL Showcase is “a must attend event”.  At last year’s Showcase scouts representing every USHL and NAHL team were represented as were several Division III college hockey teams.  Many of the leading Division I college hockey programs had one or two representatives in attendance and there were six NHL teams represented.  

Several teams are making a return to the Showcase after an absence of a few years, including Detroit Country Day, Alpena, Howell, Macomb Dakota, Woodhaven, Forest Hills Central and Midland Dow. 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.”

Head Coach, Frank Novock commented on his team’s return to the Showcase, "Detroit Country Day is really excited and honored to be back in the Showcase.  Having been involved in many facets including playing, recruiting, and now coaching in the MIHL Showcase,  I have seen firsthand the tremendous opportunity these teams are presented.  From the Junior, College, and NHL scouts that attend this awesome event, it gives these high school teams a chance to really show how good Michigan High School Hockey continues to be and improve their on ice product.  I also can't fail to mention the amount of professionalism, organization, and hard work that so many people put into this event to make it such a first class stage to play on."

Weidenbach summed it up, “Eighteen years ago the MIHL Prep Hockey Showcase was a very modest event and we are very proud of how it has developed.  The MIHL met its goals as a league and as a co-sponsor of the event.  All teams, players and coaches of high school hockey in Michigan have benefitted.  The Showcase is one of the results of our stated league mission.  The MIHL would like to thank all of the schools, coaches, players, supporters and especially the Trenton hockey community (over 100 volunteers) who have joined with us to make the MIHL Prep Hockey Showcase what it is today.”

Ticket prices for the Showcase are: 

Adults - $6.00 per day or $10.00 for a 3 day pass

Seniors and students - $5.00 per day or $8.00 for a 3 day pass.

Active Duty Military Personnel and their families will receive free admission with Uniform or Military ID!