HOUGHTON — Several area high school hockey players were honored recently by the state for their efforts during the 2020-21 season.

The Calumet Copper Kings, who finished second to the Bloomfield Hills-Cranbrook-Kingwood Cranes, placed four players on the D3 first team. The Houghton Gremlins and Hancock Bulldogs also saw one skater each make the first team.

Senior center Dean Loukus led the way for the Copper Kings on the first team. The senior scored 21 goals and 60 points to lead the Copper Kings to the state finals.

Junior winger Jackson Rilei, who finished second with 19 goals and 37 points, was also named to the first team. Junior defenseman Tom Erikkila, who finished with three goals and 15 points, and sophomore Aksel Loukus were also named to the first team. Aksel Loukus finished 9-0-1 during the regular season with a 1.71 goals against average and a .928 save percentage.

Gremlins sophomore center Camden Markham also made the first team. After missing the Region 17 Tournament as a freshman due to injury, Markham scored 10 goals and 27 points to lead the Gremlins in 2020-21.

Senior Austin Salani was the lone Hancock Bulldogs representative on the first team. Salani scored 21 goals and 47 points while serving as team captain in 2020-21.

Calumet senior winger Noah Jukuri was the lone Copper Kings skater on the second team. Jukuri had a strong season with nine goals and 25 points during the regular season. He was joined on the second team by junior defenseman Cliff Jurmu, who had one goal and seven points on the season.

Bulldogs senior winger Mason Mikesch and junior defenseman Chad Nordstrom both were named to the second team. Mikesch finished second on the Bulldogs in scoring with 10 goals and 29 points. Nordstrom chipped in nine goals and 27 points.

Gremlins seniors Dane Johnson and Jimmy Pietila also were named to the second team. Johnson, a defenseman, paced the Gremlins’ blueline with four goals and 15 points. Pietila, a goaltender, led the Gremlins with a 7-2-1 record, a 2.02 goals against average and a .918 save percentage.

Gremlins senior Nathan Erva earned honorable mention. He scored 12 goals and 22 points.