The Showcase is an important event that supports the mission of the Michigan Interscholastic Hockey League.  MIHL President, Brandon Kaleniecki states, “The main objective of the MIHL is to promote quality high school hockey, strong competition and sportsmanship.  The Showcase complements that mission. The first nineteen 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.”

Competition at the MIHL Prep Hockey Showcase is at a very high level and fans will see some very exciting and entertaining hockey 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 2020 Showcase (eight  of the rated teams in Division I, all of the Top Ten in Division II and all of the Top Ten in Division III).

How successful has the Showcase Selection process been in attracting top teams in the state?  Using the 2019 MHSAA State Tournament as a barometer, it’s been very successful: all three of the State Championship teams played in the Prep Showcase: Catholic Central (Division I), Hartland (Division II) and Detroit Country Day (Division III). Additionally, all six of the state finalists and nine of the semifinalists played in the 2019 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.  The MIHL Showcase has become “a must attend event” for many coaches and scouts.  At last year’s Showcase scouts representing every USHL and NAHL team were represented as were several Division III college hockey teams. 

Several teams are making a return to the Showcase after an absence of a few years, including Novi, TC Central, Rochester United, Grandville and Lake Orion. Allen Park Cabrini, Ann Arbor Skyline and Byron are all making their first appearance the Showcase. This fits right in with the original goal of the Selection Committee according to Chairman Chad Clements,  “From the start, we knew that there would be turnover in the teams: new teams would be added and 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.”

MIHL President Brandon Kaleniecki summed it up, “Nineteen 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!