2013 MIHL Prep Hockey Showcase participants announced

By Michael Caples –

It’s never too early to start thinking about high school hockey.

With another high school season just around the corner, the Michigan interscholastic Hockey League selection committe has announced that 43 teams will participate in their annual Prep Hockey Showcase in Trenton.

The 2013 MIHL Prep Hockey Showcase will run from Thursday, Feb. 7 through Saturday, Feb. 9. The MIHL, the City of Trenton and Trenton Public Schools will all serve as co-hosts of the tournament, which will be played at the Kennedy Ice Arena in Trenton.

Macomb Dakota and Divine Child will be the two Michigan schools making their first appearance in the tournament that has grown from a 12-team event first held in Troy. Along with the new Michigan additions are two teams from Canada (Upper Canada College and Hill Academy U16), and teams from Indiana (Culver Military Academy) and Wisconsin (Notre Dame Prep).

“Our intent was to always have the best teams from Michigan with emphasis on the top ten teams in each of the three MHSAA divisions,” said Todd Johnson, chairman of the selection committee and head coach of Catholic Central, in a press release. “A few years ago, some of those teams that were always ranked high opted to go in a different direction.  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 along with strong competition and good sportsmanship which is the hallmark of the Showcase.”

According to an MIHL release, more than 81 scouts were attendance at last year’s showcase, including representation from every USHL and NAHL team. Division I and Division III college teams were in attendance, as were six NHL teams.

A game schedule will be released in January.

“If we look at where we started and where we are today, the MIHL is very proud of what it has accomplished,” said MIHL President Andy Weidenbach, who is also the head coach of Cranbrook. “We’ve met our 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.  When it was formed, the mission developed for 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.”

List of participating teams: