HOUGHTON, Mich. (WZMQ) – The Houghton Gremlins are division three state hockey champions. The team secured its first title in 44 years with a win over the Orchard Lake St Mary’s Eaglets on Saturday night at the USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth.
The Gremlins started the season losing six of their first 10 games, and finished 25 six and one.
Athletic director Rob Fay says momentum carried his team to victory throughout the course of the year.
“They never gave up. The captains and the leadership of that team were just second to none in the way that they led the team. They never let anybody get too high. They never let anybody get too low, and at the end of the day, they came out on top,” said Houghton athletic Director, Rob Fay.
After an escort by first responders across the U.P., hundreds of fans turned out in their home gym last night to welcome the Gremlins home. The School held a homecoming ceremony in the Houghton gym, giving fans a chance to thank the boys for an amazing season.
“The community has been behind us all year long, and it’s just a great day to be a gremlin,” said Fay.
“Thank you for the support. It’s been too long since the state championship has been brought back here,” said tournament MVP Jack Sayen.
The one thing I kept hearing was how humble this team is, devoid of ego, with no superstars; each member of this team was grateful to represent Houghton and the entire up.
“I mean, it truly was a U.P. championship, and we’re excited to bring it home to Houghton High School. They kept working. They showed up every day, happy to be there. Nothing seemed to faze them,” said Head Coach Micah Stipech.
And so the up has its first Hockey Championship since 2016, these young men will remember for the rest of their lives.
