The Great Lakes Hockey League returns to a six-team loop for the 2023-24 season with the return of the Holy Name Green Wave – a charter member of the league that won the Cleveland Cup in 2019. Former Bay Rockets head coach Ian Skacan will be behind the bench as the Namers return from a one-year hiatus.

University School won the 2023 Cleveland Cup with a 3-2 win over Gilmour Academy (click here to relive the Prepper’s Cleveland Cup win) and carried the momentum of their league tournament title into the state post-season, rolling through the Kent District to qualify for the 2023 state tournament.

US defeated Shaker Heights outside at FirstEnergy Stadium and then defeated another GLHL rival, Walsh Jesuit, to capture the district title.

Down in Columbus, Noah Caballero made 17 of his 33 saves in the third period to shut out Sylvania Northview, 4-0, and put the Preppers in the state championship game for the sixth time. They ultimately came up short against Olentangy Liberty.

The Preppers lose Second Team All-League forward Kellen McGarry, but return all-stars Caballero and Sam Wade, as they begin their league title defense.

You can also expect Gilmour to be back in the hunt this season as they attempt to get into the Cleveland Cup championship game for the fifth year in a row.

Colton Fairchild led the Lancers with 22 assists last season and will lead the offense for a young group.

Walsh, a district finalist for the second time in three years, lost some of its top scorers but senior Dominick Calleri is back along with a strong junior class that includes the likes of Nathan Kuhns, Andrew Holcomb and goaltender Josh Ellenberger, who showed well in limited action as a sophomore.

Padua had a season to remember, winning 20 games and earning a share of first place in the league standings just two years removed from a five-win season 2020-21. The Bruins ascension earned head coach Perry Cohagan Coach of the Year honors.

GLHL Player of the Year Shane Helman has graduated, along with all-star goalie and four-year starter Aidan Knox. Helman has moved on to junior hockey with the Connecticut Jr. Rangers of the USPHL while Knox is tending goal for the Sheridan Hawks of the NA3HL.

Shaker Heights’ leading scorer Jack Camp has joined Ohio State’s ACHA team as a college freshman and goaltender Cooper Mears graduated as well, but not before setting the career saves record for the Red Raiders.

Back for his senior season is Sammy Gerber, who was second on the team in goals (15) and points (26), along with classmate Quintin Garnett while junior Michael Better returns between the pipes.