Get ready for the 2014 MIHL Prep Hockey Showcase

By Michael Caples –

The Michigan Interscholastic Hockey League released their schedule for the 2014 MIHL Prep Hockey Showcase today, along with details about the annual collection of games played at the Kennedy Recreation Center.

The showcase kicks off on Thursday, Feb. 6, with six games taking place from 5:20 p.m. (De La Salle vs. Detroit Country Day) through 8 p.m. (Utica Eisenhower vs. Northville).

Thirty-six games will take place between Friday, Feb. 7 and Saturday, Feb. 8.

Three Michigan schools will make their first appearance in the showcase – Hartland High School (2013 MHSAA Division II State Finalist), Houghton High School (2012 MHSAA Division III State Finalist) and Grand Rapids Christian. The tournament, co-hosted by the City of Trenton and Trenton Public Schools – will also welcome their first participant from Ohio – St. John Jesuit.

“The selection process is getting more difficult each year as the level of play in Michigan high school hockey advances,” said Todd Johnson, chairman of the selection committee. “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 element along with adding to the strong competition and good sportsmanship which are the hallmarks of the Showcase,”

Defending Division 1 state champion Brighton will also make a return to the showcase after a three year absence.

“Brighton is returning to the MIHL Showcase knowing that our players and team will experience great competition,” coach Paul Moggach said in the release. “In addition our team hopes to use the competition level to build confidence in our individual abilities and our team play. This is an excellent venue and we appreciate the opportunity.”

The MIHL Prep Hockey Showcase continues to grow each season, from 12 teams in the first year to 42 this season. Last year, there were 83 scouts in attendance, including representatives from every USHL and NAHL team, along with plenty of NCAA Division 1 and 3 representatives.

Free off-site parking with a shuttle service is available for fans wishing to attend, and there will be online live scoring updates for fans to be able to follow along with all the action. During the showcase, there is also an announcement of the latest receipient of the David Mannino Scholarship.

“If we look at where we started and where we are today, the MIHL is very proud of what it has accomplished,” MIHL president Andy Weidenbach said. “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.”

UPDATED: The 2014 MIHL Prep Showcase schedule