The younger Markham was Houghton’s leading scorer with 36 goals and 78 points. Stevens led the team in goals with 37. Carlson was an incredible playmaker with 39 assists last season.

It is new coach Micah Stipech’s job to figure out where the current roster can replace the 87 goals the top line scored last year. Fortunately for him, the players know him well, since he has spent the last several seasons with the Gremlins as an assistant coach for hockey, and even spent a few years with some of the players as their head coach for football, so his voice is a familiar one.

“I’m not a new voice, but they’re going to hear my voice more than they have in the past,” said Stipech. “That’s been an adjustment for me. I’m talking a lot more than I’m used to talking at practice.

“I think I’ve built relationships with the players throughout the summer, the weight room, (which) is huge, then through coaching other sports, and coaching them in the past. So, the new part isn’t as big of a deal as it is just I’m going to be different, obviously, than Corey. So, there’s going to be new things they have to adjust to. (I am) making sure that it’s not too much all at once, at the same time.”

Houghton defenseman Connor Raffaelli carries the puck up the ice during the Division 3 state semifinal game againsst East Grand Rapids last season at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth. (Timothy Arrick/For the Gazette)

What Stipech is already seeing in his players is an excitement about how the team is going to fill the scoring gap that’s been created by the graduation of Markham, Stevens, and Carlson.

“Our players are really excited to be the next guy to step up,” Stipech said. “There’s a real sense of players wanting to step up. So, what we are going to have to try to figure out is the recipe, and we’ll probably have to try a few different recipes.

“We feel like we’ve got the right guys on the bus, and now it’s like, where do we seat them? That’s been something we’ve been working through, and I’ve got a hunch we’ll be working through for a while.”

The Gremlins will be tested early and often while figuring out their recipe. They have Escanaba and Hartland this weekend and then face Marquette the following Tuesday.

Stipech is working to instill patience within the team. He believes in a quote from Bill Walsh that says that If you do things the right way, the winning would take care of itself.

“My total concern is with doing things the right way and improving,” said Stipech. “So, for me, it’s improving each day is a measure of success. I’m not worried about the wins, especially early in the year here. I’m worried about seeing improvement, seeing players compete, be good teammates, and those fundamental pieces that really are the building blocks for what you want to see at the end of February.”

One reason for optimism for Stipech is the return of senior forward Mikey Mailette. The speedy forward scored 24 goals and 39 points last season in 25 regular season games.

“He’s a ball of dynamite,” Stipech said. “He’s fun to watch. He has the potential to have a big year and he’s ready for it. He is ready to take it on his shoulders now.”

Along with Mailette, the Gremlins have junior Jace Deforge back. Deforge scored nine goals and 19 points last season, but will be expected to build on those totals with more playing time this season.

“So Jace Deforge has taken a huge step,” said Stipech. “He’s done all the right things. He’s gotten stronger and faster, and his attitude is incredible. So, he’s a big piece.”

Two more forwards that Stipech is excited about are junior Jay Halonen and sophomore Connor Arko. Halonen scored four goals and nine points last season as he adjusted to the speed of the varsity game. Arko had five goals and 10 points.

What Stipech likes about Arko is how he has worked to build his body up in the mold of a very successful NHL player.

“He’s a Matthew Tkachuk-style player, and he’s a sophomore,” Stipech said. “He’s 185 pounds. He’s a legitimate power forward for high school. So (we’re) looking for a big year out of Connor.”

Sophomore Jack Sayen will be taking on a new role for the Gremlins this season as Stipech has him playing center, which will give him a chance to use his strong skating ability to his advantage in a 200-foot game for the Gremlins.

On the back end, senior Connor Raffaelli returns as the Gremlins’ top puck-mover. He had two goals and 26 points last season as a converted forward. This year, Stipech is looking for him to take another step.

“Defense, for me, are quarterbacks,” said Stipech. “They have to be good with the puck, and good with making plays. His vision and awareness is really high end for a high school player.”

Another key defender for the Gremlins will be senior Noah Kripke, who played in only 11 games last season due to injury.

“He’s just a warrior,” Stipech said. “He’s back. He’s going to be a steadying force. We really missed him when he was out last year.”

Another player poised to take a big step for Houghton is junior Hudson Markham. Last season, after Kripke’s injury, he was tasked with transitioning from forward to defense. In the state semifinal game, he was in the starting lineup.

“He’s a playmaker, aware, defenseman who’s got such courage and vision,” said Stipech. “He’s our only right shot (defenseman), which is huge for me. It’s really important to me. So he’s going to be counted on a lot.”

Also back are junior Oscar Petersen, senior Wyatt Jenkins, and junior Jack Rudak, all of whom are expected to continue to build on last season. A new face who was added to the group is junior Trevor Erva, who will challenge for ice time throughout the season, which should push the rest of the group to work to keep their spot in the lineup.

In goal, the Gremlins have two returning seniors in Bryant Lee and Andrew Lampinen. Lee will be expected to carry the load much as he did last season when he went 17-2 with a 1.87 goals against average and a .915 save percentage.

Stipech feels that Lee is poised to have a strong senior year.

“He is motivated and dedicated, and I have no doubt,” said Stipech. “He kind of reminds me of Tony Peltier in a way. Bryant, the last two seasons, our season has ended in overtime with him and net, right? He’s put us in the position. Last year’s overtime goal was the first 5-on-5 goal of the playoffs that he gave up.

“If you remember Tony’s senior year, we went on a run. I feel like Bryant is poised to do that. He’s such a mentally sound kid that I just know I have full confidence that the rest is going to come together and he can have a big senior year.”

The Gremlins are carrying a third goaltender in sophomore Cooper Flachs, whose older brother Tanner is a senior forward on the roster. While Cooper is not expected to start right away, Stipech feels he should learn a lot this season while also pushing both Lee and Lampinen.

Houghton has a number of downstate opponents who will be making the trek north again this season. Hartland, Saginaw Heritage, Brother Rice, University of Detroit Jesuit, Novi, Grandville, and Northville are all returning, while Trenton and Dewitt-Capital City are coming up for the first time.

“We’re so fortunate, and hats off to Corey, (who) really was a big part of making that happen,” Stipech said. “It didn’t happen overnight. Each year, he built up the schedule to the point where it’s at right now. So, we’re really fortunate. We get to play a lot of games at home against great competition.”