Where Everyone Knows Your Name

July 12, 2019

By Rob Kaminski
MHSAA benchmarks editor

As the final horn sounded March 9 at the end of the MHSAA Division 1 Ice Hockey Final, another successful campaign was in the books.

The tournament attracted more than 40,000 spectators from the time the first pucks dropped Feb. 25, including a three-year high of more than 6,000 across 12 Quarterfinal sites. More than 200 schools and 3,000 participants combined to make up the 145 teams that battled for championships as high school hockey continued to enjoy great popularity in Michigan.

The Great Lakes State ranks third among the number of schools and fourth in participation among the 18 states nationally which sponsor the sport. Some of the sights and sounds from this year’s Finals at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth indicate the sport is on solid ice.

“The travel team I played for disbanded last year, and I needed a place to play. I should have done this years ago. What a great experience. Did you see our student section? People even know who I am at school now, and that I play a sport.” — Domenico Munaco, Rochester United goalie after stopping 49 of 53 shots in 4-2 Division 1 Semifinal loss

“This is better. Going to school with everybody every day is just a great time.” — Hartland’s Adam Pietila, who won a national championship with his travel team in April 2018 and this past winter helped Hartland win the MHSAA Division 2 title

PHOTO: Rochester United goalie Domenico Munaco anticipates a shot during his team’s Division 1 Semifinal this past winter against Detroit Catholic Central.

Be the Referee: Hockey Rules Chart

February 6, 2020

This week, MHSAA assistant director Brent Rice addresses some of the rules differences between high school and college hockey.

Be The Referee is a series of short messages designed to help educate people on the rules of different sports, to help them better understand the art of officiating, and to recruit officials.

Below is this week's segment - Hockey Rules Chart - Listen

Today we’d like to take a look at some of the differences between high school and college hockey.

• During pregame, the high school coach must meet with officials to verify that all players are properly equipped. There is no such rule in college hockey.

• Hand passes are permitted in the defensive zone in high school hockey, but not in college hockey.

• Goalies may play the puck with a high stick in college hockey, but not in high school hockey.

• A puck directed into the goal with a skate may be allowed in college hockey, but not in high school hockey.

Knowing the rules differences can help you better enjoy watching this sport. You can find the complete chart of rules differences on the Ice Hockey page of the MHSAA Website.

Past editions

Jan. 30: Cheer Safety - Listen
Jan. 23: Goaltending - Listen
Jan. 16: Wrestling Tie-Breaker - Listen
Jan. 9: Pregame Meeting - Listen
Dec. 19: Alternating Possession - Listen
Dec. 12: Ratings - Listen
Dec. 5: Video Review Success - Listen
Nov. 28: 
More Injury Time - Listen
Nov. 21: Football Review - Listen
Nov. 14: Sideline Safety - Listen
Nov. 7: Officials Playlist - Listen
Oct. 31: Most Important Line - Listen
Oct. 24: Automatic 1st Downs - Listen
Oct. 17: Catch Momentum - Listen
Oct. 10: Golf Rules Changes - Listen
Oct. 3: No Tackle Box - Listen
Sept. 26: You Make the Overtime Call - Listen
Sept. 19: Swimming Finishing Touch - Listen
Sept. 12: Curbing Gamesmanship By Substitution - Listen
Sept. 5: Football Safety Rules Changes - Listen
Aug. 29: 40-Second Play Clock - Listen