Two of the biggest reasons for Howell’s hockey resurgence have been recognized with berths on the exclusive Michigan all-state Dream Team.
Senior forward Luke Storm and senior defenseman Chad Pietila have been named to the six-player squad chosen from the first-team all-staters in all three divisions.
They helped Howell reach the state Division 1 championship game in 2024-25 and go 26-2 this season, the only two losses being one-goal decisions to seven-time state champion Detroit Catholic Central.
It’s the fourth time a Livingston County team has had two Dream Team selections and the second year in a row for Howell.
Brighton placed forward Danny Bosio and defenseman Brett Pietila on the Dream Team in 2014, then had forward Jake Crespi and goalie Logan Neaton make it in 2017. Howell put goalie Henry Lansky and Chad Pietila on the Dream Team last season.
Pietila became only the third two-time Dream Team selection from the county and only the second to also make first-team all-state three times. Brighton defenseman Tim Erkkila made first-team all-state from 2017-19 and the Dream Team in 2018 and 2019. The other two-time Dream Team selection was Hartland defenseman Braden Pietila in 2022 and 2023.
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“Those two guys put in a lot of work for us over the summer and were part of that top line that drove a lot of the scoring,” Howell coach Keith Robertson said. “Those guys worked so hard in the weight room and it paid off.”
Pietila is a unique defenseman who is a dangerous scoring threat while also being a tough defender in his own zone. He scored 16 goals and 28 assists in 28 games as a senior and had 38 goals and 88 assists in 111 career games.
“His hockey I.Q. is off the charts,” Howell coach Keith Robertson said. “That’s what he’s improved on is picking his spots to jump into the play offensively, but yet still holding it down in the defensive zone. He’s on the ice when we need a goal and he’s on the ice against the toughest line. He still seems to produce.”
Storm, a two-year Highlander, had a breakout senior season. After scoring 10 goals and 19 assists in 30 games as a junior, he scored 37 goals and 33 assists in 28 games this season. It’s the highest point total by a Howell player since Steve Killen had 83 in 1990-91.
“When you’re 6-foot-4 and 185, 190 pounds, he’s a tough load,” Robertson said. “He can get up and down the ice. He has a rocket for a shot and he’s strong. When he gets to the net, he’s tough to slow down and tough to stop.”
The other Dream Team selections are Flint Powers Catholic forward Ayden Cook, Houghton forward Connor Arko, Detroit Catholic Central defenseman Ryan Dye and Caledonia goalie Sam Hoag.
The Mr. Hockey winner will be chosen from among those six players.
Contact Bill Khan at wkhan@livingstondaily.com. Follow him on X @BillKhan
This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: Howell hockey seniors make exclusive Michigan all-state Dream Team
Reporting by Bill Khan, Livingston Daily / Livingston Daily
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
