Finals to Continue at USA Hockey Arena
July 12, 2017
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
The MHSAA Ice Hockey Semifinals and Finals will continue to be played at USA Hockey Arena through at least 2022 thanks to a five-year extension confirmed today.
The arena, in Plymouth, has hosted the season’s championship weekend since 2003. The Semifinals and Finals will be played this upcoming season March 8-10, 2018.
"The MHSAA is excited to continue our longstanding partnership with USA Hockey Arena on keeping the MHSAA High School Hockey Championships in Plymouth," MHSAA assistant director Cody Inglis said. "We are happy to keep the Finals in a great venue that has been updated to a first-class arena facility by USA Hockey. The familiarity and geography of USA Hockey Arena to high school hockey fans and the dedicated USA Hockey Arena staff that have embraced the MHSAA to make this tournament special for student-athletes across the state encouraged us to extend our agreement."
USA Hockey Arena is a multi-purpose arena that opened in 1996. Originally known as the Compuware Sports Arena, it was renamed USA Hockey Arena in 2015 when the USA Hockey Foundation purchased it. USA Hockey Arena encompasses approximately 190,000 square feet with one main seating level, private suites and press boxes. The creative design of the arena affords the opportunity to provide 3,504 seats for hockey games and 4,500 seats for concerts and other performances.
"We are ecstatic to extend our relationship with the MHSAA," USA Hockey Arena general manager Mike Henry said. "We have enjoyed hosting the top high school hockey teams in the state for the past 15 years and look forward to helping create more memorable hockey history in the future."
PHOTO: USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth has hosted the MHSAA Finals for 15 years and has signed on to do so through 2022.
Story in Photos: 2023 Ice Hockey Semifinals
March 10, 2023
PLYMOUTH – This season’s MHSAA Hockey Finals will include a Division 1 rematch of last season’s deciding game, a Division 2 rematch of the 2021 finale and a Division 3 championship game guaranteed to produce a first-time title winner.
All three Finals are Saturday at Plymouth’s USA Hockey Arena:
Division 2 – 11 a.m. – Byron Center vs. Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice
Division 3 – 3 p.m. – Flint Powers Catholic vs. East Grand Rapids
Division 1 – 7 p.m. – Detroit Catholic Central vs. Brighton
Hockey Weekly Action Photos captured plenty of action from the Semifinals – all photos and text below are by John Castine. Click for more as they are posted.
Evan Wohlart (8), who later scored the game winner in Brighton’s 4-3 triple-overtime win in Division 1 on Friday, has a shot blocked by Hartland goalie Colin Babcock.
Detroit Catholic Central gets a breakaway goal from John Rocco despite being shorthanded two players on the way to a 2-0 Division 1 win Friday over Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central.
DCC goalie Kyle Moore makes a save during his shutout performance.
Byron Center goalie Carson MacKenzie turns away a shot during the second period against U-D Jesuit on Thursday.
Byron Center players celebrate their 8-4 Division 2 Semifinal win over the Cubs.
Brother Rice’s Luke Sacca scores during the first minute of the third period of his team’s 11-3 win over Saginaw Heritage in Division 2.
Jack Cassidy (21) and teammate Peter Rosa celebrate Cassidy’s game-ending goal Thursday.
East Grand Rapids' Charlie Hoekstra (16) fires the game-winning overtime goal with 1:11 left to play in the first extra period to give his team a 2-1 win over Houghton.
EGR players rush to the glass in front of their fans Friday to celebrate the comeback win.
Mason Czarnecki scores Flint Powers Catholic’s fifth goal of a 6-0 win Friday over Riverview Gabriel Richard in Division 3.
Chargers goalie Nicholas Kurtiak makes one of 25 saves in his shutout performance.
TOP PHOTO Brighton’s Charlie Burchfield nearly flies over the goal after getting stopped during the third period of his team’s win over Hartland.