Houghton goaltender Brian Lee, 33, and defenseman Oscar Petersen of Bloomfield Hills-Cranbrook-Kingswood during a Division 3 state semifinal game Friday at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth. He will face Hank Callison. (Timothy Arick/For the Gazette)
HOUGHTON — Over the weekend, as the state tournament drew to a close, the MHSAA announced the state teams for all three divisions. The Houghton Gremlins went 21-2-2 during the regular season and advanced to the state semifinals before losing to eventual Division III state champion Bloomfield Hills-Cranbrook-Kingswood, earning the first-team title. Nominated three players. Two additional players were named to the second team, and first-year coach Mika Stipek was also named Division III Coach of the Year.
The first team included co-captain Michael Mylett, sophomore forward Connor Arko, co-captain Connor Refaeli and senior goalie Bryant Lee. The second team included junior winger Jace DeForge and senior defenseman Noah Kreipke.
Other local players honored included first-team sophomore defenseman Todd Kilpela and freshman center Tevin Stukel, who was named to the All-Freshman team, both from Hancock. Calumet co-captains Cam Anderson and Ted Lucas received honorable mention as well.
“It's really great that they're all being recognized.” Stipek said. “They deserve it.
“So I’m really happy for all of them, and it’s great for our program and great for them.”
Houghton forward Connor Arko stuffs the puck over Bloomfield Hills-Cranbrook-Kingswood goaltender Garrett Dudler during a Division 3 state semifinal game Friday at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth. I am trying to do. (Timothy Arick/For the Gazette)
Of all the players involved, Stipev was the most excited about Kreipke. Kreipke wasn't known for his scoring ability, scoring just one goal and six points in 25 games, but it was everything else that made him special.
“I was really happy that he was recognized because he deserved it.” Stipek said. “He brought plus/minus to our team. He didn't score a lot, but as a defenseman, that doesn't matter.
“He was our best player that no one knew about. He just killed the play and shut people up. He was so strong and a great teammate. He just quietly, He has guided our team in so many ways.”
Midway through the season, Stipev and his staff split Refaeli and defensive partner junior Hudson Markham, then paired Kreipke with Markham.
“He backed up his offensive-minded partners.” Stipek said. “He played all season with a brace on his lower hand, so he couldn't move his lower wrist, which is amazing. He hasn’t earned it and is definitely an unsung hero.”
Raffaelli has developed from the back end into the Gremlins' biggest offensive threat over the past two seasons. Converted to a forward, he learned how to push the puck up the ice quickly, which led to his strong offensive ability. He finished his final season with nine goals and 29 points in 25 games during the regular season.
“(He) played very calmly, so yeah, I'm going to miss him.” Stipek said. “Puck possession, first pass, one of his biggest skills is what I call the most difficult play in hockey, which is getting the defenseman to go back to get the puck. He is good at scanning the ice, misdirecting with his toes, and making plays.
“Plays like that are huge for us to maintain possession, especially in high school hockey where there are a lot of dump-ins. Those are some of the things he did well. And offensively, he He pushed the pace of our offense and became a part of our offense.”
Assigned to the role of offensive leader as a senior, Mylett excelled in that role, leading the Gremlins with 27 goals and 42 points in 25 games during the regular season.
“Everyone will miss watching him play.” Stipek said. “A lot of people have told me how much they enjoy watching him play because he's such a great athlete and a hard worker.
“His play was just the epitome of gremlin hockey. His level of competition and humility, what people don't realize is how good of a teammate he was and (he) put everyone in very good spirits.” He did some of those things. So I'm going to miss him. He had a really good three years here and he and his brother (Noah) I think it was great for him to play for a year.”
In his second year on the varsity team, Aluko has proven his worth as Houghton's most versatile player. He shaped his game no matter which line Stipev and his staff placed him on and found a way to succeed in every situation. He played in 25 games and finished the season with 12 goals and 37 points with a team-leading 25 assists.
“A big step from the first year” Stipek said. “I was very optimistic and really liked him as an athlete and as a hockey player. What can't I say about his journey already? Because we had so much faith in him. , we pushed him as much as we would an older player, perhaps to become a more complete player. He has responded really well. His possibilities are endless in the future.
“He knows some of the things he needs to work on and his future with our team is bright. I'm glad other coaches in the state recognized what kind of season he had. is.”
DeForge ranks second on the Gremlins in goals (16) and third in points (35) in 25 games. This season, he has grown into a more physical role and has proven his ability to make big plays in even bigger games.
“He scored a goal in an important game.'' Stipek said. “He's a big game player. He's really physical as well. He's had some big hits all year long and probably has the most defensive responsibility on that line, and that's the first line. As we say, he's a good F3. So he does a lot of things to finish the game that don't show up on the scoresheet.”
Lee was outstanding in his final season with the Orange and Black. He played in 20 games and posted a 16-2-2 record with a 1.20 goals-against average and a .945 save percentage.
“He's having his best season and putting himself in the discussion of being the best goaltender in the state. I think he has a real talent to make Team Michigan. If he wants to play after high school, he'll have a chance. Let's see if it can be balanced with other big goals in his life.”
According to Stipek, what made his success this season so special was the way he approached everything.
“For me, the fact that he was able to figure out for himself what he needed to do to be successful and take that step and really take responsibility for his situation is so important. If you want to progress, you need to understand these things, and he did that.” Stipek said.
Stipev was also quick to point out the great seasons Kilpela and Stukel had.
“I think highly of those two Hancock children.” He said. “Todd Kilpela. I think the sky is the limit for him. Tevin Stuchel, he's a player you want on your team, but he plays so hard that it's hard to coach against him.”
Kilpela appeared in 25 games for the Bulldogs, recording assists (23) and points (32). Stukel tied for the team lead in goals with 13 and had 24 points in 24 games.
Anderson appeared in 24 games for the Copper Kings, recording assists (22) and points (31). Lucas had two goals and eight points in 25 games.
Stipek really appreciates the way Anderson approaches the game.
“I really admire Cam Anderson, his style of play and his 200-foot game.” He said.
It was very exciting for Stipev to see so many players being honored, not only from his own team, but also from teams from other areas.
“It’s really great to see all the Copper Country kids being recognized.” He said.
As for himself, being named Division III Coach of the Year in his first season as head coach was unexpected, especially considering the team lost 5-0 to the Cranes in the semifinals.
“Yeah, it was definitely unexpected. I thought there were a lot of other really good candidates in the state, but it wasn't the trophy we were hoping for.” He said. “But I felt like it was so ridiculous, especially when we went out at the end of the year, that it was hard for me to even respond. I don't think you're a great coach, but it's nice to be voted out by your peers. I know it's a huge honor. It's a program award. When a coach gets something like that, it's obviously reflective of their entire program.”
