MIHL Wraps Up Another Successful Showcase

Three days.

Forty teams.

Dozens of games played.

Hundreds of smiling hockey fans.

The Michigan Interscholastic Hockey League’s 11^th Annual Showcase came to a close Saturday night in fitting form – with a thrilling 6-6 contest between Calumet High School and MIHL member, Grosse Pointe North.

“It was a great way to end the Showcase,” MIHL Director of Marketing Pat Ronayne said. “I mean, the place was packed, and the game was exciting. It was a great way to end this year’s showcase.”

The Norsemen-Copper Kings thriller was just one of the numerous games fans got to enjoy at this year’s Showcase event, and Ronayne says not a single game disappointed fans who came from all over the state to see what is widely regarded as the premier event for high-quality high school hockey.

“The vast majority of the games were very competitive,” Ronayne said. “They were good, clean games, and a great display of hockey. That’s what you hope for when you put this together – good, clean, fast hockey.”

Trenton High coach, Mike Turner, agrees.

“I think the Showcase this year was a very good event, and something we’re proud to be a part of,” Turner said. “Everything, I thought, went really well. The city of Trenton, the volunteers, the Trenton Parks & Recreation Department, the MIHL, everyone did a great job.”

Turner’s Trojans played well, winning both games they played against a pair of ranked teams in Midland (a game the squad won, 2-1) and Marquette (a 3-2 victory for Trenton).

“I think we played well,” Turner said. “It’s good to see us bounce back after a tough loss to Catholic Central the Tuesday before.”

The success of this year’s event – the 10^th hosted by Trenton – falls on the shoulders of a slew of people, according to Ronayne.

“It takes a lot of people to pull this off,” Ronayne said. “And I think this year everyone of them did a great job. Everyone I talked to, from the fans, to the coaches and players, to the scouts, just loved it. Everyone just had really nice things to say about the event.”

There were a few minor hang-ups, Ronayne admitted, such as a power issue on Thursday, but that was resolved thanks to technology and some ingenuity.

“Someone actually downloaded an app on their iPad and we kept score that way during that game,” Ronayne said.

For a complete rundown of the game results, click here.