MIHL remains alone as top hockey conference after another brilliant season

By Mike Moore
C & G Sports Writer

It’s not a coincidence that two of the three 2009 state hockey champions came from the same league.

Nor is it a coincidence that three teams from that same league were ranked No. 1 most of the season by the Michigan High School Hockey Coaches Association.

And when the 2010 postseason began March 1, there was a good chance that all three state champions will call the same league home.

“Not coincidence by any means,” Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook-Kingswood coach Andy Weidenbach said with a laugh last week while speaking of the Michigan Interscholastic Hockey League his squad and six others occupy. “When we initially began this conference, we did so with the idea of promoting good, clean, skilled and fast hockey. I think a byproduct of that over the years has been the skill and success (the MIHL) has put forth.”

The 2009-10 season has been no different.

Weidenbach and his Cranes, the defending Division 3 state champs, have held the top ranking in D-3 all season. The same is true for Novi Detroit Catholic Central, the defending D-1 title owner. In D-2, Warren De La Salle spent a good portion of the season ranked No. 1. All three teams are contenders to walk away with state titles come the second week of March.

“This is a league where teams don’t really rebuild,” Catholic Central coach Todd Johnson said.

While all seven teams had at least one league game left at press time, Catholic Central had already clinched its ninth title in the MIHL’s 11 seasons with a 10-0-0 record in the conference and 18-1-0 overall mark.

“This was another great year for all of us. I’d say it’s very comparable to, if not considered one of the best, years for the league.”

Final standings had yet to be solidified at press time, but Cranbrook occupied the second spot, followed by Birmingham Brother Rice (ranked No. 4 in D-2), De La Salle (No. 3 in D-2), University of Detroit Jesuit (No. 4 in D-1), Grosse Pointe North (No. 5 in D-2) and Port Huron Northern.

“When we were invited to join the MIHL a few years ago, this was exactly why (we agreed),” De La Salle coach Dan Barry said. “Night in and night out, you’re playing some of the best teams in the entire state. It can’t help but make you better and prepare you for what’s next.”

And in the grand scheme of things, what’s next for MIHL teams is chasing a state title. Most coaches agree that the difficulty of their schedule during the regular season does wonders for their teams come playoff time.

For proof of that, look no further than North. The Norsemen finished each of the past three regular seasons with a record at or below .500, but didn’t exit from the playoff stage until the D-1 semifinals.

“The playoffs are what you work for all season,” said North coach Scott Lock, whose team was 10-11 at press time. “It’s not easy, but when you play the caliber of teams we do every night, the record won’t be great, but you’re going to be ready come the postseason.”

CK and CC give back
When Cranbrook and Catholic Central signed on to play the 2010 Outdoor Classic, they did so with the intent on giving back to Clark Park in Detroit, the site of the Jan. 17 game.

Mission accomplished.

At intermission of a game against Trenton High Feb. 24, Cranbrook presented the Clark Park Coalition with an oversized check for $6,500.

According to Weidenbach, the figure represents a large cash donation, as well as the value of services, hockey equipment, facilities maintenance and repairs made to the Clark Park Ice Arena.

“It was a win-win for everyone involved,” Weidenbach said of the game and the donation. “That was a great day for high school hockey, and now we’re able to give back to Clark Park just as we had hoped.”

You can reach Sports Writer Mike Moore at mmoore@candgnews.com or at (586) 498-1038.