Bloomfield Hills girls hockey’s togetherness earns state title

BLOOMFIELD HILLS — Bloomfield Hills girls hockey had a movie-like season, following in the footsteps of “Miracle,” “The Mighty Ducks,” and even a little of “Slap Shot,” but less aggressive, of course.

There were the key departing players, the newcomers who stepped up and the final game that would exceed expectations in excitement, but from day one of the season, there were a lot of questions surrounding Bloomfield Hills girls hockey.

Losing 2022 State of Michigan Miss Hockey Anjalica Singelyn and 2022 team assist leader Samantha Bekolay, Bloomfield Hills showcased a new-look squad, but returned a strong senior in Jessie Rebock, who led the team in goals (29) and points (48), at the helm.

After falling in the first round of the Michigan Girls High School Hockey League last season, Rebock said, the team was determined to improve on last year’s finish.

“From the start we came in with a new mindset, I think,” Rebock said. “We had some summer off-ice stuff and more skates in the offseason. We got a lot of new talent that I knew could really help our team, and I think we were all just really excited. At the start I don’t think any of us actually expected to be this successful, but we saw some great potential as the team started to click and improve.”

On March 11 at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, Bloomfield Hills (17-5-1) earned a resilient 5-4 win over Grosse Pointe North in double overtime to bring home a state title to the school.

Rebock, who has been a staple for Bloomfield Hills hockey, continued to be a leader, tallying two goals, two assists and the game-winning goal. Sophomore Alia Somero added two goals and two assists of her own, while senior Kathryn Reitmyer tacked on one goal and three assists. Senior Reese Hentgen and sophomore Lily Ehmann each added an assist in the win.

“That game was one of the greatest experiences as a coach to coach it,” Bloomfield Hills coach Mick Singelyn said. “Just the back and forth and back and forth. Both teams, including Casey’s team over there at North, both teams wanted it so bad, and both teams kept going and going, and both teams left it out there. It was incredible to coach and be a part of.”

Bloomfield Hills trailed after the first period 3-2 but notched it up 4-4 before heading into overtime.

The ladies were no strangers to adversity, and definitely weren’t afraid of the moment, and it was due in part to the team’s motto throughout the year: ‘We want it the most.’

When Bloomfield Hills trailed early, Reitmyer said, the team just had to shake the nerves with some music before heading back onto the ice.

“We just had to take a minute to relax and get back into it,” Reitmyer said. “We also played music really loud and tried to dance the nerves out before getting back on the ice, which definitely helped.”

As for Bloomfield Hills’ regular season success, it was a little unorthodox, given the usual gritty style of play the team typically showcases.

As opposed to the dynamic of a 1970s Philadelphia Flyers team, as far as Singelyn is concerned, his team was more  like the ‘02 Detroit Red Wings, displaying finesse and offensive firepower.

Offensive firepower might even be an understatement to describe this team, as Rebock (42) and Somero (50) combined for 92 goals during the regular season and 15 in the playoffs, with Rebock earning six and Somero tallying nine.

In her first year on varsity, Somero was electric on the offensive end, showcasing her ability to score and distribute the puck.

“That was our biggest surprise after losing Samantha Bekolay and Anjalica Singelyn last year,” Singelyn said. “Losing those two, we were kind of nervous, but Alia stepped in, and I was like, ‘wow, OK.’ She filled the shoes right there.”

The sophomore standout not only cemented herself as the one of, if not the top, sophomore in the state, but a future Miss Hockey candidate.

In her final year, Rebock finished with a team-high 23 assists, while Somero added 21 and Reitmyer earned 13 this season, forming a dominant first line.

“That line could outscore any line in the state,” Singelyn said. “It was fun just watching them develop together, set up plays, and work on things before and after practices. I’m sorry to see Jess go, because I’d like to see the two of them play another year or two together.”

Ehmann (12), junior Kayla Pleysier (11) and senior Molly Levin (10) all recorded 10 or more points on the year, while senior goalkeeper Elizabeth  Culbertson was reliable between the pipes, holding a 16-5 record.

While having 13 seniors on the squad and two players eclipsing the 40-goal mark during the year, it’s difficult not to recognize Bloomfield Hills’ chemistry as their most vital attribute.

Ehmann said each player’s ability to rely on one another was what made the difference this season.

“The team chemistry on this team is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before,” Ehmann said. “The more the season progressed, the more trust we built with each other, which translated into the game. When you’re a part of the team, it is important not to play like a team of individuals, and play as a unit. This is exactly how this team turned out to be, and it is such a special experience.”

While 13 seniors are set to graduate, there’s no better feeling than graduating at the peak of high school hockey.

It’s a final stamp on the legacy of the 2023 senior class, with a new class ready to pave their own way for Bloomfield Hills hockey.

A core returner for Bloomfield Hills next season, Somero said the senior class had a significant impact on her growth as a player and person.

“The seniors are all people that I will never forget,” Somero said. “They are all special people. They not only inspired me, but they showed me what a team truly looks like. It sounds silly, but you see movies like ‘Miracle’ or ‘The Mighty Ducks,’ and wouldn’t believe that a hockey team could ever have that kind of feel in real life. Our team did. I think the seniors and what they brought to the team made this a reality.”